Unremembered Empire....initial review

[Aristander]

I see what you mean, but being well-cultured is a trait of most Ultramarines, I'd say - at least the officers.

 

Blood Ravens seem to me as being more about historical and technical data - though they'll probably devour fictional works, as well - if they find the time.

 

That part is just bloody awesome (started reading last night). Especially when the UM Librarian points out (to himself) how naive Guilliman can be about 'more regular humans'. Abnett rocks at character interaction.

Agreed entirely, the fact that they're not the mindless automatons some Space Marines are portrayed as is a huge selling point for me.

 

I take your point about the Blood Ravens; the comparison was more to explain a greater habit of fielding Librarians, or the possibility of one serving as Chapter Master.

[Kol Saresk]

Ah, so an Ultramarines Chapter similar to the Blood Ravens in composition. Possible. Very possible.

[Greyall]

Aye.

 

I also liked that a lot. The confidence with which Robout reinstated Librarians. This, the quote in the beginning about "a stomach for action" and his mindset during the assassination attempt lead me to think Rob has noticed how theoretical and rational his mind is, and is 'obsessed' with turning it towards the pragmatic.

 

I keep liking him more and more.

[Emperor's Furor]

Silver Skulls? They do a lot of librarian based work.

[Kol Saresk]

Yeah but the Prognosticators are more like glorified advisors. They help direct the actions of the Silver Skulls through consulting the Emperor's Tarot, but they aren't in command of those actions. So great trust is placed upon them and it carries great influence, but they have as much actual command as a standard battle-brother.

[Emperor's Furor]

Well Prayto seems to do a lot of advising but not a lot of fighting heh.

[Conn Eremon]

Prognosticators actually hold a lot more authority. They are not in command, they are not themselves officers. But it is from them that officers get their own authority, including the Chapter Master. Considering that their prognostications are a requirement before any major command can be given, and that heeding and following them is just what you do, regardless of rank, the Prognosticators are essentially the power behind the throne of the Silver Skulls chapter.

[Kol Saresk]

Ah, I stand corrected.

[depthcharge12]

IIRC, I think that they had some super prognosticators that were both a librarian *and* a chaplain.

 

 

They are the spiritual being of their chapter, so I could possibly see Narek being that. The word bearers look to signs and astrology, the Skulls try to divine the future.

 

 

Hmmmmm.

 

Hmmmmmmmmmm.

 

 

Where's Sarah Cawkwell when we need her! :P

[Conn Eremon]

Message Pyroriffic. Its her B&C username.

[Kol Saresk]

Oh, I missed something in my review.

 

"The Unbound Flame", proof Dan Abnett is a twisted genius.

[Zynk Kaladin]

I think the most commonly uttered words out of my mouth in meetings are: "I want to write about the Blood Angels."

 

I pray for your chance at the Blood Angels every day.

[Emperor's Furor]

Oh, I missed something in my review.

 

"The Unbound Flame", proof Dan Abnett is a twisted genius.

Is there a reference to Nick's Salamander series or something? I must of missed it.

[Kol Saresk]

Yep.

 

Salamander Series Spoilers Ahead

 

 

If you remember, Dak'ir was at one point called "The Unbound Flame", because his Phoenix-like psychic abilities were believed to be one of the artifacts Vulkan left behind. Unless I'm mistaken and this was just one heck of a coincidence with words, Abnett basically just called Vulkan that artifact. And since no one knows if Vulkan will truly have been cured or if he'll wake up just as insane as he was before, it would also fit into the prophecy mentioned in there that no one knows if the Unbound Flame will be Nocturne's destruction, or it's salvation.

 

[Gree]

I believe there is a reference to the Space Marine game. Graia is mentioned at one point by Guilliman.

[GhostMalone]

But vulkan writes the time of fire post heresy so it's a weird contradiction maybe it's meant to be

[Kol Saresk]

You're assuming that Vulkan actually is the author. The number one rule of 40K mythology is that history has many gaps in it and those gaps are filled either with personal bias or by taking present state and slapping it into the past. For example, the Salamanders have no reason to fight against the splitting of the Legions since they were supposed to be too small to be split. And it's not like they conformed to it since each Company numbers ~120 with the Chapter maxing out around 850-900 and the Promethean Creed is far from Codex-adherent.

 

I mean heck, according to the 40K Iron Hands, they hate the flesh because Ferrus Manus told them to. After the Heresy. And they acknowledge the iffyiness on that.

[GhostMalone]

Hmm true. Damn 40k needs to be erased and re started post heresy. I want the fluff changed

[Kol Saresk]

lol, I actually like the ignorance of "modern" 40K. Shows just how polluted history can get and how something that was once "normal" could become so twisted that it changes into a myth, legend and nightmare.

[GhostMalone]

Well in 2000 years look how twisted we've made history, nothing is 100% accurate. God imagine in 8000 yrs

[Kol Saresk]

Or in 30,000 years when Shakespeare has only written three plays and only two are complete.

[GhostMalone]

Yep god I love it, or how the Rosetta Stone contains prophecies from ancient humanity about the heresy

[Emperor's Furor]

I hope Vulkan does get up again, I want him at the siege of terra, although I know it's such a huge change, but then again so is the whole Unremembered Empire part.

[Conn Eremon]

Or in 30,000 years when Shakespeare has only written three plays and only two are complete.

I believe you speak of Shakespire, writer of Amulet, a tale remarkably similar to our Hamlet? :D

[Emperor's Furor]

Set in Denmark...no idea how it went from Scotland to Denmark...