Oblivion Knights

[ScionOfGrief]

  Oblivion Knights: Our Souls For Mankind

   Honoured Brother Suvaa Ghos, 1^st Company Terminator

 

 

Origins:
The Oblivion Knights were created in late M.35 as part of the 20^th Founding in order to defend the Hagian Sub-sector of the Segmentum Tempestus against the denizens of the rapidly-expanding Anomalous Warp Vortex 2208, locally known as Hellgate. A Chapter of Dorn's line, the Oblivion Knights were created using Crimson Fists geneseed, with a small coterie of Crimson Fists volunteering to train the new recruits until such time as the Chapter was capable of standing alone.

 

Led by Captain Kalen Alvara, the Crimson Fists detachment took ship to the densely populated Nephilium system, carrying with them the precious cargo of genetic matter and war materiel required to build the new Chapter. Alvara, a pragmatic and practical warrior, chose the nameless, airless moon of the ocean world of Nephilium Pelagius as a temporary base to begin creation of the Chapter, reasoning that it would be more secure and better hidden from prying eyes than the sprawling hives of Nephilium Prime or the agri-colonies of Nephilium Secundus. In addition, Nephilium Pelagius had the potential to provide a virtually impregnable base in the future, if suitably developed.

 

Their temporary base established, the Crimson Fists Apothecaries, supervised by several Magos Biologis, began scouring the system for suitable recruits. Many were gathered from the hive-gangs of Nephilium Prime and the feral savages of Nephilium Noctis, as well as some from the hardy mining colonies scattered throughout the system's three asteroid belts. When two hundred potential Neophytes had been found, the Apothecaries began the long and arduous screening process, weeding out the weak and unsuitable. Only eighty survived to begin the implantation process, but the search for potential recruits never ceased during this period, and soon a full Scout Company had been created, led temporarily by Alvara himself.

 

At this time, Alvara petitioned his Chapter Master to be allowed to remain with the fledgling Chapter he was helping to create. His request was granted, and the rank of Chapter Master bestowed upon him. Seven of his Crimson Fists brothers also elected to join him, and became the first Captains, although their Companies had not yet been formed. Over the next decade, Alvara and his fellow Captains led the Neophytes in training exercises, and small-scale operations against the renegades and pirates who used Hellgate as a base; gaining knowledge of the task they would perform forever more, and securing their home system.

 

When the first eighty Neophytes were judged to be ready for advancement, and received their still-undecorated, newly-forged MKVII armour, they were formed into the 2^nd Company, forgoing the normal advancement through Devastator and Assault squads in favour of creating a slightly under-strength Codex Battle Company. This was placed under the command of Captain Acastus Fabor, and immediately began conducting combat patrols throughout the Hagian Sub-sector to counter pirate raids on merchant shipping and colony worlds. Meanwhile, on the moon of Nephilium Pelagius, Master Alvara spent several days fasting in a spartan monastic cell, meditating on the purpose of his Chapter, the mission he had been entrusted with, and the nature of his service to the Imperium. At the end of his vigil, he was granted a vision of Rogal Dorn, which spoke to him of his duty:

 

"You shall be knights of my own blood, forever to guard the people of your realm against the oblivion of the warp, even at the cost of your bodies and souls." - Kalen Alvara, Chapter Master of the Oblivion Knights (Attributed to a vision of the Primarch Rogal Dorn)

 

Following this vision, Alvara pronounced that the Chapter was to be known henceforth as the Oblivion Knights, so that they would be forever reminded of their sacred duty to the Hagian Sub-sector. Taking his own heraldry as inspiration, he designed the blood-red and void-black livery that the Knights would bear, and took as their symbol a white sword and star on a field of black, to represent the Knights' role as protectors of the light against the darkness. 

 

A decade later, as the next contingent of Neophytes were advanced to the ranks of the Chapter proper to form the 3^rd Battle Company, the Crimson Fists who had decided not to become Oblivion Knights returned to Rynn's World. The fate of the young, under-strength Chapter was now in its own hands.

 

Expansion:

During the next four centuries, the Oblivion Knights slowly built up their strength, whilst conducting anti-piracy operations of ever-increasing scale. By the time Master Alvara was slain during a boarding assault in 104.M36, the Chapter could field seven full Battle Companies, a full Scout Company, and a small complement of First Company Veterans. In addition, two successful petitions for wargear had been made to the Adeptus Mechanicus, giving the Knights an armoury which was well-supplied with both heavy weaponry and vehicles. Another important contribution was made by the Crimson Fists, with whom the Oblivion Knights maintained close ties. To honour Kalen Alvara, upon receiving news of his death they sent fifteen suits of the incredibly rare Tactical Dreadnought armour, some of which had seen service with the Imperial Fists Legion during the Great Crusade and the dark days of the Horus Heresy. 

 

Over the next two millennia, the Knights continued to protect the Hagian Sub-sector from the renegades, traitors and xenos-breeds who made their home in Hellgate, which continued to expand throughout this period. In addition to this, the Chapter increased its influence over the Sub-sector, forging a small protectorate of allied systems, based strongly on the example set by the Ultramarines. This realm, previously only linked by its Imperial loyalties and vulnerable to raids and attacks, now became a strong, unified, well-defended area. The Oblivion Knights provided expert advice on the training of the PDF forces in the area, and proved themselves true sons of Dorn by designing and constructing a vast fortress-monastery on one of Nephilium Pelagius' few islands.

 

Stiron's Glory:

This period of prosperity continued until the middle of M.39, when the Chapter found itself under attack from an unexpected quarter On the jungle-choked death world of Skyx XII, on the very edge of the Hagian Sub-sector, what had once been a small population of Feral Orks had finally reached critical mass, and was on the verge of becoming a full-blown Waaaaagh. When a fleet of Adeptus Mechanicus shuttles made planetfall, looking to explore the viability of mining Skyx XII, they quickly found themselves surrounded and the slaughtered by the Orks. With their innate grasp of technology, the Orks commandeered the shuttles, and launched an attack on the lightly-armed surveyor ships in orbit. The few Skitarii guards were no match for the tide of Orks which were being ferried up in the captured shuttles, and soon the ships were in green-skin hands.

 

With their newly-captured ships, the Orks laid waste to the two other inhabited worlds of the Skyx system, then set course for the centre of the Hagian sub-sector. As they were unable to properly fathom the ships' warp drives, what should have been a relatively simple jump of roughly four days took over three years. However, when they emerged from the warp on the edge of the Golban system, the green-skins fell upon the hive-world of Golban Majoris with unparalleled savagery. The Golban PDF, well-equipped and well trained, were swept aside in hours, and the Ork horde, well over a half a million strong, set about butchering the population of Hive Uxal, the planetary capital in an orgy of violence which lasted for days. 

 

The Oblivion Knights, receiving thousands of calls for aid from the beleaguered system, were roused to a great fury, and then-Chapter Master Kyras Stiron mobilised eight full Companies, leaving only the 4^th and 10^th to guard Nephilium Pelagius, and indeed the rest of the Hagian Sub-sector. Helped by favourable warp-currents, the Knights translated into the Golban system just two days after receiving the first distress calls. A brutally one-sided space battle broke out as they entered orbit around Golban Prime, the surveyor ships and their skeleton crews proving no match for the strike cruisers and escort ships of the Oblivion Knights' fleet. With the Orks stranded on the planet, Master Stiron readied his forces for an all-out assault.

 

"The Orks have invaded our realm and slain those we are sworn to protect. If we do not destroy them utterly, then we will have failed in our sacred duty, given unto us by the Primarch himself. Brothers, to arms!" - Kyras Stiron, Chapter Master of the Oblivion Knights, upon receiving news of the Ork invasion of Golban Prime

 

Knowing that every minute lost meant the death of more Imperial citizens, and unwilling to raze an Imperial world when it could still be saved, Stiron ordered a mass landing on the ash wastes outside Hive Uxal. Only the 1^st and 8^th Companies would remain in orbit for the time being, whilst the rest of the Chapter forces formed a wall of ceramite and adamantium to meet the Orks head-on. The landing went uncontested but not unnoticed, as more and more Orks left the ruined hive, and began moving towards the Oblivion Knights. After a day and night of waiting, the Ork horde became visible on the horizon. By mid-morning battle had been joined, hundreds of thousands of Orks charging the Oblivion Knights' thin defensive line in a screaming tide of green flesh. Again and again they were repulsed, leaving thousands dead in the ash.

 

As the fighting dragged on, the Oblivion Knights, well-supplied by their orbiting fleet, began to gain the upper hand. However, the Orks continued to attack with suicidal fury, and the Knights began to take heavier casualties. The 5^th Company lost fifty Battle-Brothers when an Ork under-chieftain led his retinue, laden with looted explosives, in a berserk charge into the Chapter lines before detonating the weapons. Captain Oltis was among the slain, and a Predator was destroyed outright by the force of the explosion. 

 

Shortly after Oltis' death, the battle began to devolve rapidly into a brutal melee, and in several places the Oblivion Knights were in danger of being overwhelmed. From his battle-barge in orbit around Golban Prime, Master Stiron decided the time was right to commit his reserves. Led by the elite Terminators and Vanguard Veterans of the 1^st Company, with Stiron at their head, the 8^th Company launched a mass drop-pod assault into the rear of the Ork horde. Swiftly forming a fast-moving wedge, led by Stiron and his Terminators, they hacked their way with chainswords, power weapons and combat knives towards the centre of the enemy force, where Stiron knew from historical record and past experience they would find the Ork warlord. If they could kill him, the Orks would be directionless, easy prey for the main Chapter force.

 

Reaching the warlord cost many lives, but eventually Stiron and his surviving Brothers were face-to-face with the huge Ork Warboss. A duel of legendary renown ensued, ending with the terribly wounded Master Stiron beating the Ork leader to death with his own shattered helmet. With their overlord dead, the horde began to fragment, and only once the main Oblivion Knights force, now reduced to four hundred exhausted Brothers, began mopping up the remnants did Stiron allow himself to lapse into unconsciousness.

 

A day after Stiron's defeat of the Ork leader, the Oblivion Knights declared the Golban System purged of Orks. What medical supplies could be spared were given to the millions of wounded in Hive Uxal, and more were urgently requisitioned from the rest of the Hagian systems. Their duty done, the battered Oblivion Knights withdrew to the Nephilium system, to rest and rebuild. En route, the Chapter's Apothecaries tried desperately to save their wounded lord, but his injuries were too grave. It was with great sorrow that the Chapter returned to Nephilium Pelagius, interring Stiron's body in the sepulchres beneath their fortress-monastery.

 

Captain Alaric Julor, formerly First Captain, was elected by a conclave of his peers to replace Stiron as Chapter Master, and charged by the conclave with rebuilding the Chapter to its former glory. A great victory had been won, but at a terrible cost.

 

"Brothers, we have fought and bled and died in pursuit of our holy duty.  Those who died by the hand of the green-skin, Brother Knights and our wards alike, have been avenged. We will rebuild, but we will never rest, for our duty is eternal." - Alaric Julor, Chapter Master of the Oblivion Knights, upon his inauguration

 

After Golban; The Eternal Struggle:
In the two Millennia following the Battle of Golban Prime, the Oblivion Knights have regained their full strength, but only slowly. This is due mainly to Master Julor's refusal to hasten the implantation process, despite pleas from his Chief Apothecary, a policy which was continued by his successor, Eston Nolak. By the start of 500.M.41, the Oblivion Knights were once more a whole Chapter, having replaced both their personnel and material losses. In the latter half of the 41^st Millennium, they were especially active in the rimward systems of the Hagian Sub-sector, combating increased predation on key trade routes by a well equipped band of renegade Space Marines, believed to have once been members of the Dark Falcons Chapter.

 

As the 41^st Millennium draws to a close, the Oblivion Knights are still concentrated in their Hagian realm, defending their ordained subjects against the many and varied foes of the Imperium. However, the current Chapter Master, the comparatively young and belligerent Kalnor Pharis, is in the process of petitioning the High Lords of Terra for the right to lead a Crusade directly into Hellgate, to purge the anomaly once and for all. Should this request be granted, it will no doubt see the Oblivion Knights, largely unknown outside of the Hagian Sub-sector, step up and become known throughout the Imperium...

 

Organisation:

As would be expected of a Chapter from the line of Rogal Dorn, the Oblivion Knights are strict adherents to the Codex Astartes, maintaining ten full companies, of which the 1^st is comprised of hardened veterans, and the 10^th of Scouts awaiting Initiation. Each Company is commanded by a Captain, with a command cadre comprised of a Command Squad plus a Company Chaplain and Librarian. The 1^st Company is split into three sections; two larger sections for the Sternguard and Vanguard, and a smaller one for the few Terminator-armoured brethren the Chapter can field. 

 

The Oblivion Knights maintain a moderately-sized fleet of armoured vehicles, mostly Rhino derivatives such as the Razorback and Predator, but they also possess a single MKIIB Land Raider which was granted to them by the Adeptus Mechanicus, following their aid in recovering it from beneath the sands of Luxos V. This ancient relic serves as the Chapter Master's personal transport, and is named Defensor Hagia in honour of the Oblivion Knights' eternal mission. The Chapter also maintains the Codex-recommended fleet of bikes and attack bikes, which often see service on reconnaissance missions when Scouts and Land Speeders are unavailable. The armoury is overseen jointly by Forgemaster Norus Ghevan and Ancient Lekaal, the most venerable of the Oblivion Knights' eight Dreadnoughts, a former Techmarine whose wisdom and experience has guided the Chapter for over twelve hundred years.

 

The Chapter Fleet is built around a solid core of nine strike cruisers (one assigned to each Company except the 1^st) and a battle barge, which serves as both the 1^st Company's transport and the Chapter flagship. Due to the constant patrols run throughout the Hagian systems, many of which are comprised only of a single squad, the Oblivion Knights also maintain dozens of escort craft, ranging from Cobra-Class destroyers requisitioned from the Adeptus Mechanicus to commerce raiders and armed merchantmen captured from pirates.

 

Combat Doctrine:
As befits a Codex Chapter, the Oblivion Knights are highly skilled and practised in all areas of warfare. However, their long history of anti-piracy operations and counter-invasion strategies has made them especially adept in ship-to-ship fighting, as well as both planetary defence and assault. The constant patrolling of the Hagian Sub-sector has also made the Chapter experts in surveillance and small-unit tactics. However, the lack of true "heavy armour" (multiple Land Raider variants) has made the Oblivion Knights somewhat dependent on fleet support in situations requiring exceptionally heavy firepower.

 

The Oblivion Knights often make use of drop-pods for rapid deployment, especially in counter-invasion situations, but have a preference for Thunderhawk insertion when possible, as the gunship can then remain on station to provide fire support. Deathwind drop-pods are also widely used, both for disruption and close fire support. Similarly, Tarantula and Rapier automated weapons platforms are used throughout the Hagian systems, particularly on isolated colony worlds.

 

One of the Knights' most famous tactics is known as the "Hammer and Anvil". This involves splitting the Chapter force in two; one half containing fast-moving elements such as bikes and Land Speeders (designated "Hammer"), the other made mostly of Marines on foot, backed up by Dreadnoughts and automated weapons systems, designated "Anvil". As the name suggests, the mobile "Hammer" force is tasked with diving the enemy into the pre-mapped killing zones of the static "Anvil" force. Whilst this manoeuvre is not unique to the Oblivion Knights, they make use of it more often than most other Chapters, since the ill-disciplined rebels, renegades and raiders they normally face are especially vulnerable to such tactics.

 

"Drive them onto the guns, brothers! In the Emperor's name, let none escape our wrath!" - Donus Ursix, Oblivion Knights 3^rd Company Chaplain, during the Second Battle of Vynnar VII

 

Chapter Traits:
The Oblivion Knights, like all loyal Space Marines, venerate the Emperor as the pinnacle of humanity, the greatest man to ever live, and their ancestor by blood through their Primarch. This was instilled in the first Oblivion Knights, along with a love and worship of Rogal Dorn as their spiritual father, by Kalen Alvara and his Crimson Fists brethren during the Chapter's foundation, and has remained strong to this day. 

 

Because of the nature of the mission laid out for the Chapter by the High Lords of Terra, and later validated by Master Alvara's vision, the Oblivion Knights are entirely focussed on their sacred duty to the people and planets of the Hagian Sub-sector. In their six millennia of existence, the Knights have only been seen outside of their realm on a handful of occasions, and never in a force greater than a Company. A large part of the initiation process undergone by Neophytes centres on the importance of the Chapter's mission, and normally involves a combination of hypnosis, neurosurgery and chemical psycho-manipulation, with the ultimate goal of producing a warrior who is unflinchingly dutiful and faithful to his mission, no matter the threats or temptations that may assail him.

 

The Oblivion Knights are proud and resolute in character, as is to be expected from descendants of the Imperial Fists. Although they appreciate the tactical merits of withdrawal from battle in certain situations, a stubborn streak runs through the Chapter, and given the choice most Knights would prefer a noble last stand to a retreat. They also have a strong sense of honour and martial pride, and duelling is both commonplace and encouraged amongst the Chapter. This is strictly controlled in order to prevent rancour between Battle-Brothers; both combatants must swear a blood oath that they will not continue any feud once the duel is over. Additionally, duelling is only permitted between Space Marines of the same rank, and is never used as a way of making decisions, as it is in some Chapters. Should a situation occur where the Chapter Master cannot decide a course of action, he will convene a conclave of the Chapter's senior officers, comprising all ten Captains, as well as the Master of Sanctity, Chief Librarian, Forgemaster and a single Battle-Brother chosen by lottery to represent the rank and file.  

 

"The most contemptible man of all is one who fails in his sworn duty" - Kalen Alvara, Lessons, v.I, Ch. I

 

Homeworld:
Nephilium Pelagius is a storm-wracked ocean world, covered entirely (save for a few tiny islands) in abyssal seas inhabited by terrifying prehistoric leviathans, whipped by hurricane winds and torrential rainstorms. The Oblivion Knights' fortress-monastery is situated on the only island large enough to land a shuttle on. A square mile of rock supports a monolithic tower of obsidian and adamantium, jutting almost two miles into the sky, bristling with defensive emplacements, sensory equipment and hangar bays. As impressive as the tower is, however, it is merely part of the defence system for the fortress-monastery proper. Carved deep into the bedrock of the planet, far below the endless seas, lies the cavernous home of the Oblivion Knights. Geothermic heat-sinks provide power, and food is cultivated in great hydroponic farms. Entirely self-contained, and featuring the Chapter's primary manufactorium, command centre, barracks and chapel, the fortress-monastery is designed to withstand any siege indefinitely, and its very existence is unknown to any save the Oblivion Knights. It is also a potent weapon in its own right, as the seabed for miles around is covered with anti-orbital torpedo and defence laser silos, specially designed to fire through massive amounts of water.

 

In orbit above Nephilium Pelagius hangs the Chapter's fleet base, built into the crumbling remnants of the planet's moon. Originally housing the laboratories where the first Oblivion Knights were created, the small moon is now all but invisible beneath a skin of steel, covered in fuel silos, armaments depots, defensive turrets and hangar bays. Dug into the centre of the moon is the primary Chapter fleet command centre, and long docking arms jut out from the surface, capable of servicing dozens of ships at a time. The base is an important re-supply centre for elements of the Segmentum Tempestus Battlefleets, with whom the Knights have several long-standing mutual agreements.
 

"Nephilium protects and shelters us, just as we protect and shelter the Hagian systems" - Kalen Alvara, Lessons, v.I, Ch. II

 

Old Friends:

The Oblivion Knights maintain especially close relations with their direct predecessors, the Crimson Fists, and both Chapters have pacts in place detailing their willingness to come to each other's aid as far as their missions allow. In the aftermath of the Rynn's World invasion, the Knights sent three transport vessels, each laden with essential supplies, as a gift, along with a renewal of their pledge of support. The Chapter also maintains cordial relations with the Imperial Fists, and although due to their isolation the Knights do not send a champion to the Feast of Blades, whenever an Imperial or Crimson Fists vessel enters the Hagian Sub-sector, it is a cause for great rejoicing for both parties, with tournaments and feasts being held on Nephilium Pelagius and vows of mutual allegiance being renewed.

 

Ancient Enemies:
Foremost amongst the foes of the Oblivion Knights are the many and varied renegade scum who inhabit the turbulent region of space known as Hellgate. For five thousand years the Knights have waged unceasing war against them, and still more sally forth to assail the Hagian systems. There is much support amongst the Chapter for Master Pharis' proposed Crusade into Hellgate, but whether the High Lords will grant permission for the Crusade to be called remains to be seen. Following the Battle for Golban Prime, the Oblivion Knights also harbour a particular hatred of Orks, and descend upon any who enter the Hagian Sub-sector with disproportionate force.

 

"Honour your Battle-Brother and the Emperor. Cast down His foes, the aliens, mutants and heretics. Always remember Golban Prime, and destroy the green-skin wherever it is to be found" - Kalnor Pharis, Chapter Master of the Oblivion Knights, addressing Neophytes prior to their Initiation

 

And there you have it. Apologies if this is too long, I got started and then didn't really want to stop. This is the army I'll be making once the new Codex comes out, and I write fluff for my army lists, so they'll probably end up on here too. I'll also be adding notable members of the Chapter and famous battles involving the Oblivion Knights as I think of them. I welcome any and all constructive criticism, witty banter, and outright insults. 

 

[aznviking]

Loved the backstory ! Looking forward to seeing them as models. 

[ScionOfGrief]

Thanks man. You could be in for a bit of a wait though, I'm not buying anything until the new Codex (and apparently TacMar kit) comes out, and I am the world's slowest painter. We're talking a Marine a week. I'm probably just going to start with 2 Tactical Squads, CM (The FW Terminator Legion Praetor is getting bought so damn hard) and a Termy squad/ command squad if the new Codex allows them (maybe FW Justaerin models).

[ScionOfGrief]

Gah, I just read through this for the 43rd time and I appear to have dun goofed...
The Oblivion Knights are essentially the prewar Astral Claws, but less famous.
Kalnor Pharis is basically Huron, but not insane.
The "we fought some Orks and some of us died" story is clichéd as all hell, and lacks any kind of subtletly.
There's no "why they do this", besides "We wanna protect the Hagian Sub-sector".
I use the words "Sub-sector", "systems" and "Chapter" far too often.
It's boring, generic and forgettable as a piece of descriptive creative writing.
The Red/Black colour scheme is almost identical to every other Red/Black colour scheme out there.

Oh well, back to the drawing board.

 

Here's the things I want from this Chapter:
20^th Founding
Line of Dorn (via Crimson Fists)
Founded specifically to protect the Hagian Sub-sector (my equivalent of the Daniverse, where all my 40K shenanigans occur) from something (Warp Anomaly is too close to Maelstrom Warders)
Pure Geneseed (IF zygote loss aside)
Codex Adherents, with some focus on space warfare (Space Marines fighting in space? Whatever next?)
Faithful unto death to their mission, which they believe is ordained by Dorn himself
Patriarchal relationship with the population of the Hagian Sub (Kinda like Ultramar, as that is textbook Codex empire-building, but maybe more like protectors)
Generally pretty fair and even-handed
I fully realise this sounds boring as hell, which I why I need some kind of hook. I may mess around with the geneseed issue, make them highly impure but struggling to conform to the Codex, whilst under scrutiny from the Inquisition, who are worried about them going all Badab War in the Hagian Sub... Actually, that's not a bad idea... I could keep the obvious Astral Claws parallels as a plot point...
 

[bento-of-the-earth]

I wouldn't say it's boring, I actually quite enjoyed the read It reminded me of what I wanted to do with my own chapter, as every time I try to write a neat piece of fluff it doesn't capture/summarize that perfect feeling I want.

Maybe you could say they were on another, larger world in the system, which was somehow annihilated, and so they left in recluse to the more desolate world, and now they swear to protect the remaining worlds so it doesn't happen again blah blah blah...you can build off it as you see fit! That might also give them a more personally deep-rooted foe they combat, beside mostly smaller pirate operations. that does seem more like a job for the IG

[ScionOfGrief]

That could work... I was planning to make the "well equipped band of renegade Space Marines, believed to have once been members of the Dark Falcons Chapter" feature more prominently anyway. Possibly that could be combined with the battle for Golban Prime? The Chapter responds en masse to an Ork invasion in a nearby system, leaving only one Battle Company and the Scout Company on their homeworld. They take heavy casualties on Golban, but whilst they're away, the renegades, perhaps with daemonic aid, invade the all but undefended homeworld and turn it into a lifeless husk. Chapter swears vengeance, goes on a penitent Crusade (they *are* Fists successors, after all), take it from there. What do you reckon?