Marshal Rohr Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 Here is a brief rundown of quotes from the Novella, and my thoughts on them. Part II will come later when I have the time, but here is everything from the first half. Helsreach, the hive that claimed me as its champion; thecity that changed how I see my own oath of service. We are Templars, and weattack, we advance, as the last proud knights of the Great Crusade. But we werecrusading for the right of mankind to exist. Our wrath must be pure, else it isworthless and futile. We are judged in life for more than the evil we destroy.We are judged for what virtues we represent, for the ideals that lie behind ourblades. So, we can see that the 'old' Grimaldus symbolically died at Helsreach. The 'new' Grimaldus is possessed with a purpose and conviction that extends beyond just winning glory from the Imperium. Later we can see that his obsession from the first book of being 'better' isn't really there anymore, and Armageddon has shown him the value of human life and the value of the mortal men and women who fight for their way of life. Even in the oppressive Imperium, the human spirit is still something special and worth fighting for. I hesitated, looking back to the pilot, but he was alreadyunbuckled and throwing on his environment suit for the short run to the bunker.Three months before, instinct wouldn’t have told me to look back. If nothingelse, I thank this world for the lessons I have learned while walking itssurface. This is another example of Grimaldus' newfound respect for mortal men. The Adeptus Astartes are the keepers of the oldest lore, andeven among our archives so much has been lost. Truth twists and warps overtime, as the stories change to reflect the reader’s vision. I think this is meant more for us as readers than anything plot related. From my point of view, this is more like A D-B explaining to us that even the Templars who believe they still fight the Great Crusade, actually fight what they think is the great crusade. Thousands of worlds pray to the Emperor not as a man, but asa god or a spirit; a warrior-avatar; a benevolent entity beyond the grave; a seasonal avatarthat brings annual floods and commands the sun to rise each dawn. This is an excerpt from a bit describing how some people view the Emperor as a god, while others do not. They crossed forearms, banging their fists to their breastplates,forming the crusader’s cross. Our version of the 'aquila' salute. He waited for us in the Chamber of the First Proclamation,more often known as Sigismund’s Hall. Legend tells us it was there that thefirst High Marshal of the Black Templars stood with the brothers who wouldbecome the first Chapter lords, looking out over the battlefield known as theIron Cage, and swore that the Great Crusade would go on, no matter what woundsthe Imperium still bore. The other Legions were free to protect mankind’sdomain, bearing no shame for their decision. But Sigismund’s Imperial Fistswould darken their armour for the battles to come, and continue their charge tocarry the Emperor’s message out into the void. They would not defend. Theywould attack. And so were born the Black Templars, the only warriors for whomthe Great Crusade never ended. Here we learn the Black Templars were born during the retreat from the Iron Cage. ‘You risk dragging the Chapter into direct conflict with theInquisition.’ There was no denying it. ‘Yes, sire.’ ‘I do not fear that conflict, Grimaldus. Injustice must beopposed. Impurity must be purged. But the Eternal Crusader sets sail in threedays, my brother. The warlord has fled from Armageddon and our first duty mustbe to hunt him down.’ This is from an exchange between Helbrecht and Grimaldus describing the Chapter Master's willingness to openly draw themselves into conflict with elements of the Inquisition on principle. The Codex Astartes – at least, the Eternal Crusader’s incompletecopy of that ancient text […]Fortificationand digging in during extensive worldwide Crusades are a necessity of the warswe fight. While the Templars may not cling to the Codex Astartes with atenacity bordering on worship of holy scripture, it is still the most comprehensive treatise on Space Marinewarfare ever written, penned by the hand of the Emperor’s own son, LordGuilliman of Macragge. Its value is immeasurable to any commander, no matterwhat divergences are found in a Chapter’s culture. So we have the Codex, we just ignore the organizational doctrine. Or at least... we used to, until the Dark Times, before Cruddace. No records even exist as to whether Lord Guilliman wrote theCodex by hand across several dozen tomes, dictated it to nuncio-processors andservitor scribes, or compiled it himself into a hololithic library. Some exposition on why 'Codex Adherent' means different things for different people and even the Ultramarines 'Codex Adherence' is about as significant as whether or not Armor and Color have a 'u' in them. The Inquisition does not exist. It does not exist in thesense many Imperial citizens believe – as a cohesive, interlinked cobweb oforganised power. Individual men and women are granted immunity from allpersecution and autonomy from all law. They are granted that most nebulous ofvirtues: authority. Everything else comes down to what they achieve, and whatpersonal power they amass. When an inquisitor calls upon Imperial resources, heor she relies on the threat of authority, rather than any real organisationlending support to their needs. Their power is both utterly real and a cunningillusion, all at once. Men andwomen with wildly differing ideologies, tactics and goals do exist, and theyare invested with ultimateauthority, but that is not a collective enemy we could face and fight. Inquisitorswill often ally together, but rarely permanently. Even their precious ordos arelines of alignment, philosophies of specialisation and intent, not armies oforganised allegiance. They are, in all ways, the exact opposite of the AdeptusAstartes. Our temporal authority has been stripped back since the Heresy, yetwe are essential to the Imperium and need no illusions of commanding greatpower. Our war fleets and brotherhoods speak for themselves. More exposition for the readers, once and for all ending the whole 'Inquisition is unified' myth. So if one chapter has a problem with the Inquisition, then really they just have a problem with one or two people and the people they influence. Likewise, a chapter with close ties to the Inquisition is really just tied to one or two people who appreciate their help. The Red Hunters aren't besties with the whole of the Ordos, just the people who had a hand in their founding. More to come later, included a funny passage of Andrej attempting to run 2 Km to get to a shuttle before the Eternal Crusader leaves orbit over Aramgeddon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redmapa Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 I liked that it was kind of implied that Grimaldus is THE Reclusiarch to the Eternal Crusade and that makes me curious as to who is the Emperor's Champion to the High Marshall's crusade Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KhorneHunter57x Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 The Codex Astartes – at least, the Eternal Crusader’s incomplete copy of that ancient text […]Fortification and digging in during extensive worldwide Crusades are a necessity of the wars we fight. While the Templars may not cling to the Codex Astartes with a tenacity bordering on worship of holy scripture, it is still the most comprehensive treatise on Space Marine warfare ever written, penned by the hand of the Emperor’s own son, Lord Guilliman of Macragge. Its value is immeasurable to any commander, no matter what divergences are found in a Chapter’s culture. So we have the Codex, we just ignore the organizational doctrine. Or at least... we used to, until the Dark Times, before Cruddace. Roboute, you magnificent , I read your book! Very interesting, and it sounds like another good read by A D-B...I may have to get it sometime. It's in a combi-book with Helsreach, right? Thanks for doing this, M2C! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Chaplain Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 Roboute, you magnificent , I read your book! *Snort* Hahahaha, I needed that laugh khornehunter, good Patton reference. Thanks for compiling all these quotes Crusaders! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal_Roujakis Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 Don't forget as well, that both Priest of Mars and its sequel Lords of Mars, both of which features Black Templars will be out the same time as the WD that features the new C:SM, that contains us.... coincidence? maybe... conspiracy? possibly... Black Templars all over the Weekend? ABSOLUTELY!!! :D I don't know if its Love or Hate that GW has for BTs but they sure are giving them attention now... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redmapa Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 Don't forget as well, that both Priest of Mars and its sequel Lords of Mars, both of which features Black Templars will be out the same time as the WD that features the new C:SM, that contains us.... coincidence? maybe... conspiracy? possibly... Black Templars all over the Weekend? ABSOLUTELY!!! I don't know if its Love or Hate that GW has for BTs but they sure are giving them attention now... Actually Lords of Mars is already on sale, it came out on friday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal_Roujakis Posted August 25, 2013 Share Posted August 25, 2013 Oh it must be late here down under... It won't be physically be on shelf until the weekends... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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