The Black Hands - A loyalist DIY SM chapter

[Brother Nemiel]

The Black Hands

 

No path is too dark to tread, nor any deed too dark to carry out...

 

Colours: Off-White Armor (Dirty white) with black boots and black left hand with elongated painted tendrils.

Motto: Through the destruction of our enemies we gain our salvation!

The Black hands were created during the 35^th millennium because of strategic prognostication by the high lords of Terra. At the time only the means of the chapters methods and doctrines were clear, the other reasons were shrouded in mystery as the Emperors tarot would reveal no more. Though the tarot gave clear indications that the need imminent founding of the chapter was dire.

It was clear that the Raven Guard was to be the progenitor legion for the Black Hands. Attempts were made to "breed" out certain
facets and perceived flaws from the gene-stock and enhancing other qualities. Continuing this line of thinking it was decided that the
chapter should define new traditions of their own and not maintain even casual links with their progenitors. Although the traditions and
their ways differ somewhat from the Raven Guard there are no big differences in the geneseed. The alterations were done according to
the imperial tarot and the visions of savants. Once it was deemed altered, it mattered not that the geen-seed was mostly unchanged,
except for some (mostly) cosmetic differences... Most apparent are pale skin (partly due to life in the underhives), pitch black eyes
(without apparent irises or pupils) and dark hair.

Chapter concept:

 

The initiates are recruited from the lowest ganger street urchins in the underhive. Only the most vicious and violent are chosen. In many
cases these lost souls would and should be put to death by the imperial arbites, but now they are given a chance to cleanse their
immortal souls in the light of the emperor. They are given the assignments no one else will do... and the methods which no one wants
to use.

 

No deed is too dark nor no cost too high for the Black hands not to undertake. As long as is serves the imperium. If they live long
enough, they might atone for the sins they committed in their mortal lives before joining. If not, they are dead to the empire anyway...

 

They are a codex chapter, even though some of their command decisions might border on the extreme.

 

They spend considerable time scouting the enemy. Then when they hit, they hit from the shadows: spreading fear, confusion and terror. The Chapter prefers hit-and-run lightning strikes than protracted engagements. Even though, long term psychological warfare is not all
too alien for them. Collateral damage and innocent victims are not an issue. If a mission needs to be done, it does not matter who or what stands in their way (or adjacent to their target).

As part of their ritual preparation for escalating engagements they tend to adorn themselves with trophies taken from victims (necklace made from ears, hanging chopped off heads from belts etc). The effect of these bloody trophies combined with their off-white armour tends to create quite a gristly effect. Imperial guard regiments who have fought on the same side prefer to never encounter them again: partly because of their lack of concern of how many friendly guardsmen die because of their actions and partly of their gruesome practices...

 

They are quite fanatical, all vying for the salvation of their souls. One of the chapters greatest honours is the title absolved. Once achieved the marine is considered to have paid their debt of staining their souls and is actually counted as a valued member of the chapter (mthink: ember of warrior lodges, equivalent of terminator honours etc).

 

Deathwatch RPG

 

Codex demeanor: See, but don't be seen.

Chapter characteristic modifiers: Duty unto death. Bonus to Toughness and Willpower.

Homeworld: Hive world of Hesperianus

Relation to Homeworld: Distant rule

Combat doctrine: Stealth and terror.

Squad Mode Attack Pattern: Tactical finesse

Squad mode defensive stances: Only in death...

Preferred fighting style: Favours Stalker pattern bolters

Belief: Death cult

Chapter status: Under Strength

Chapter friends: Ecclesiarchy

Chapter enemies: Heretics
 

Warhammer 40K

Follows the rules of Raven Guard.
 

Inspiration for the chapter:

Movie "dirty dozen" (MGM, 1967)

Night Lords Chapter

Doom Reavers Unit (Warmachine miniature game, privateer press)

Comments, Critique and ideas are welcomed...

[Brother Nemiel]

A basic idea of appearance:

 

http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb221/Agragor/Warhammer/spacemarine_zpsfdf8c1f7.jpg

[Tanner151]

I like it. I love the Raven Guard heritage, don't see a lot about them much, and I think the color set is pretty good. I'm not a huge fan of Codex following Chapters but you've given them some room for freedom there. So the Codex is a guideline to them instead of a rulebook?

[Ace Debonair]

Digging the colours, man, Simple and effective.

If I could suggest one minor change though - perhaps a slightly brighter colour for the eyes to make them stand out a little more?

[JeffTibbetts]

Agree that a spot or splash color is needed. Weapon casings, maybe? Purity seals? I do like the black and white and the black left hand. I just think it could get a bit boring. The White Scars work largely because of their red markings. 

[Brother Nemiel]

Thank you for your opinions!

 

I definetly see them using the codex more as a guideline than a rulebook. I can totally picture a "black library"-moment when a squad of marines are left leaderless when their veteran sergeant, or an equivalent, (an absolved) has died and they have an heated argument whether course of actions will see their souls advance towards absolution or not, or if it only is the end result that matters. Do they dare to stray from the codex or not, does it even matter? The more vicious ones debating that it is only the end result that matters regardless of how it is obtained and the more "heroic" ones holding on to certani line of thinking begets heresy and therefore must be avoided.

 

Opportunity for high drama fluff-wise...

 

I can complete see the need for more colour. Since I want the off-white to be center I would like to avoid red (white scars), Blue (pre-heresy world eaters), geren (pre-heresy death guard). The obvious place for the color in that case is the weapon casings. The eyes can definetly be brighter... no problems there.

Any suggestions for colour?

 

Thanks in advance all!

[Ace Debonair]

I can complete see the need for more colour. Since I want the off-white to be center I would like to avoid red (white scars), Blue (pre-heresy world eaters), geren (pre-heresy death guard). The obvious place for the color in that case is the weapon casings. The eyes can definetly be brighter... no problems there.

Any suggestions for colour?

Thanks in advance all!

*Puts on Heraldry Dept. Hat*

Well, with the black shoulder trim they resemble the Luna Wolves, too. The hand decorations and a different eye colour would help make the distinction, especially if your chapter badge looks nothing like the Luna Wolves' badge.

So, for eye colour, how about one of these?

EDIT:

Removed un-needed pics to save server space or whatever removing the pics does.

If they're no good (sorry about the lack of hand-swirly thing) I can try some other colours.

[Brother Nemiel]

Thanks for taking up interrest!

I really like the turquoise colour for eyes. I might be tempted to make them pale green instead (not such a big difference). Let's just call it "morrslieb" pattern photolenses I do not wish to put larger green areas on the models on account of the death guard issue, eyes are fine.

Any suggestions on weapons casing colour? Hazard stripes?

[JeffTibbetts]

I second a pale green. For the weapons as well. You don't want more than one, MAYbe two spot colors. I think white and pale green could be cool. You'd have to be careful to make it NOT Nurgly looking though. Choose the green wisely. It makes me think of Death from the 4 Horsemen, who rode a pale green horse. You could have a lot of fun with that imagery, but again it gets close to Nurgle... 

[Severus6]

I am going to be bad and say I dont like the black boots, as it draws away from the model as a whole. The "black hand" is a powerful statement, not unlike the iron hand of the "Iron Hands". It draws the eye and it is an artistic meme for mankind; think of the "David" and those large intricate hands. In 40K its skulls and hands, use that that theme. 

 

A possible idea would be for vets of this outfit to have the black going up the arm farther than the rest of the Chapter. The more senior the Marine the higher the black. As for the additional color, maybe purity seals  or kill markings on the black. Just a thought; hope it helps.

 

Severus6  

[JeffTibbetts]

I agree that the black boots don't really add anything, and frankly add complication to painting them. 

[Brother Nemiel]

Thanks for the continuing support!

 

Thanks for the statement/meme explanation. I fell myself growing to like it more and more!

 

Green Eyes are settled for then.

 

The black feet were just a detail (unneccessary). We walk in dark places.... So I'll get rid of them. 

 

Perhaps the black hand should be on the right arm. Most of the marine poses are right handed. That way the hand gets more exposure?

 

What do you Think? Should I try and paint up an own symbol for the chapter or, as I'm not a good painter, go for the imperial fist/crimson fist bits? Separate shoulder pads or transfers from GW?

[JeffTibbetts]

I think the right hand is the way to go, personally. It would be far more noticeable. As for the badge, I was really pretty surprised how NOT hard it was to make my own transfers or decals. The consistency it gives me is amazing and if you print it in multiple sizes you can put it all over the place. If you decide not to do that, I would strongly suggest using something you can adapt from the standard GW transfer sheets since you will end up with about 500 of them. IF would work for you, of course. I'd rather see you make your own, cool looking badge though. To me, that logo is as important as it is for sports teams. 

[Wolvar]

Nice work; the colour scheme looks great and the tactics and the potential for conflict amongst your own ranks is an interesting aspect. The tactics and end justifies the means bit reminds me of the 'Night Lords' strategy back when they were a loyalist Legion. All in all sounds great and good luck with it.

[Severus6]

Another issue here is how other Chapters and Imperial groups view them. In a DIY Chapter they can be as self sustaining as you wish them to be but in the actual 40K world, it takes a great deal of support to properly outfit a Chapter. Those Chapters that decided not to play well with others all of the time found themselves to be the "poor cousins" or worse yet kicked out of the family all together. What I might suggest is this, you as a Chapter try very hard not to work with other Imperial agencies thus reducing your time spent with them and their time seeing how your Chapter conducts "business".  You will come across as aloof, arrogant, even cold and callous but what you cannot be seen as is ineffective or worse as bad as the enemy you fight. All Space Marines in every Chapter are killers, they were made to be that  way and they wouldnt be any good to humnaity if they werent. However, you do not want to be labeled a heretic for your actions; that would only slow you down and secondly this also reduces what the enemy knows about you. For all practical purposes your Chapter is a combination of the Raven Guard and the Alpha Legion with a smidgeon of Dark Angels thrown in for good measure. There is nothing wrong with that; it works and it works well but if you are going to go down this long dark path, be certain you have a way to hide from prying eyes your methods. Just a thought, hope it helps.

 

Severus6  

[Nomus Sardauk]

In regards to the black feet I have a suggestion as to how there might be a lore reason behind them for the chapter inspired by a line from Halo 2.

 

Basically they represent the sins of the marine's mortal life weighing his soul down even as an astartes, that until he is redeemed his soul will never ascend to join the Emperor with his fallen brothers as his sins shall stay his feet and he will be left behind.