The Dancing Scythes (DIY Chapter)

[sitnam]

Index Astartes
The Dancing Scythes Space Marines Chapter

http://s23.postimg.org/m7p27px87/100px_Scythes_of_the_Emperor_Logo.png

The Dancing Scythes were founded late in M37, a product of the 23rd founding. The chapter was founded from various elements of the Clans of the Iron Hands, lead by the Venerable Dreadnought Atulan Diodes. Diodes was a veteran warrior of countless campaigns, and a strong believer in the teachings of Ferrus Manus. He was a radical within his own chapter however, as he felt that the having a single strong leader alongside the clan structure would strengthen the chapter. When the Iron Hands were chosen to form another successor chapter, Diodes was the first choice to lead the new chapter. Not only was he a strong warrior, but choosing him removed his voice of dissent from the chapter.

As his chapter began to reach maturity, Diodes took his chapter away from Medusa. The Dancing Scythes accepted the requests of any Imperial Guard commanders, such as when the 1st Clan helped crush insurrection on Abilin II or the annihilation of Orks on the fortress world Sagelo. Diodes actively sought the most brutal conflicts to prove the strength of his young chapter. It was this quest for battle that would lead to the most pivotal moment in the chapters history. During a muster of the chapter to assess their strength, the astropaths received an emergency message from a Mechanicus warship, Omnissiah's Will. The message directed them to the ruined world of Dalan Prime, on which a Explorator fleet had been ambushed by a chaos fleet led by Iron Warriors. In the ensuing battle the chapter suffered 60% losses, including Diodes. Yet the Explorator expedition was saved along with recovered STC's and the Dancing Scythes gained a powerful new ally.

The Dancing Scythes would deliver the Mechanicus survivors to their home world, Lareso IX. Leading them was Ren Apilan, former captain of the 1st Clan and favored of Diodes. In return for their efforts the Lareso IX techpriests offered an alliance to the Dancing Scythes, known as the Dalan Prime Proclamation. This agreement would even include a Fortress Monastery on the moon of Lareso IX, a forgeworld in the subsector Texka of the Segmentum Pacificus.

In the wake of the battle Apilan began a series of reforms to the chapter organization. Most notable was his elimination of the Fifth through Tenth Clans. He felt increasing the concentration of marines per battle group would lend well to their mechanized tactics. The rebuilt chapter was organized around four Battle Clans, each a little bit above two hundred men strong, with a few certain chapter elements being integrated into the Headquarters Can. Despite some internal turmoil over these reforms (which included a lethal duel between Apilan and one of his captains) the chapter quickly regained its strength within half a century.

Since the Battle of Dalan Prime the chapter has served across the Imperium, often in support of their Mechanicus allies. Besides assisting in Explorator expeditions, the chapter has a decorated record against heretical and mutant threats to the Imperium. While the chapter has not clashed with the Iron Warriors since their first meeting, they have engaged several renegade marine warbands throughout their history. Many of their efforts have been to simply protect the subsector Texka, which has been a constant target for the forces of Chaos and xenos alike. The chapter does fight abroad however, much of the time at the behest of the Mechanicus.

The most notable event for the chapter in recent history was the 7 Worlds Rebellion. Six major worlds across the subsector Texka threw down their Imperial rulers and aligned to the forces of Chaos. The Imperium mobilized its forces in the sector to respond, with the Dancing Scythes in the forefront of much of the fighting. In addition the Scythes greatest rivals, the Order of His Amethyst Heart, also played a pivotal role. Once the Imperium was fully engaged on all six worlds, the world of Tartus also joined in the revolt. Tartus was a important shrine world and the home of the Order of His Amethyst Heart. The Order pulled all of its forces back onto Tartus, serving to keep the beleaguered Imperial defence on the world alive. The Order fought tenaciously yet suffered significant losses.The Dancing Scythes were one of the first forces to reinforce the Order on Tartus. Soon other forces were brought onto Tartus as the first six worlds were won back, and after long war the shrine world was taken back.

The Dancing Scythes would be awarded their sole Contempor Dreadnought from the White Consuls during this conflict. In addition the Order of His Amethyst Heart (which was brought to near extinction) would become close allies to the Dancing Scythes, despite their theological differences.

Diodes Tomb is a small airless moon orbiting Lareso IX. With little mineral wealth, the moon had been used as nothing but a small port for Mechanicum patrol fleets. When the Dalan Prime Proclamation was issued, the small port was turned over to the Dancing Scythes. The chapter reinforced the port base into a formidable Fortress Monastary they renamed the Falx. Lareso IX itself is a wealthy forgeworld, in most part due to the discovery on Dalan Prime. Whilst the discoveries did not lend them increased military strength, the worlds Skitarii are well trained and spirited. Much of this is due to the regular training exercises the Dancing Scythes organize.

The Dancing Scythes favor armored warfare. During their early days they had access to a large number of Land Raiders which they massed in frontal assaults. The conflict on Dalan Prime meant the loss of many of these Land Raiders, and as such the chapter had to readjust its tactics. Relying mostly on lighter Astartes vehicles, the chapter have become masters at swift mechanized tactics. Using primarily Land Speeders, Predators, Razorbacks, and Rhinos, the Dancing Scythe:cuss the enemy in swift strikes. Attacks will often come from mutliple points, one battle group attacking whilst another flanks to hit a different area. Assault Squads deploy from Thunderhawk to take out isolated pockets or to storm enemy strongholds.

When siege or urban warfare is required heavier units are deployed, such as Vindicators and Land Raiders. Headquarters deployments are often kept in reserve for situations such as those, the hardy Iron Sworn and Terminators both very capable in a full on assault.

Codex Deviation

Unlike other chapters the Dancing Scythes do not deploy according to the Codex.Originally Diodes had the chapter modeled after the Iron Hands, with ten Clan Companies of approximately 100 warriors each. When Apilan rebuilt the chapter, he cut the number of clans in half with four Battle Clans and the Headquarters Clan. Each Battle Clan now has its own scouts and veterans and is in all regards capable of fighting as an autonomous force for extended periods. The Headquarters Clan is composed of the elite troops and support elements, deployed piecemeal to the Battle Clans. Apilan also started the new tradition of The Internment. In a display of honor to Diodes, Apilan and the Clan Council decreed that all Clan Masters would lead from a dreadnought sarcophagi.

Another element kept from the Iron Hands is the Clan Council, composed of the Clan Captains, Iron Master, Master of the Apothecarion, and Chief Librarian. The Clan Council serve as advisors to the Clan Master, but the also serve as a check to his power. No Clan Master can choose an unpopular course of action without the support of atleast four council members.

The Dancing Scythes also deviate from the codex in terms of markings and heraldry. As opposed to shoulder trim designating the company, the loin cloth every marine wears designates their Battle Clan. Brown designates the First, maroon the Second, light grey the Third, and black the Fourth. The veterans of the headquarters clan do not have their own color, but instead they maintain the color of their parent chapter. The Iron Sworn display the symbol of the Mechanicus on the loin cloth to designate their veteran status. Squad heraldry is not typically displayed, though those of sergeant rank and higher paint their helms black

Battle Clan Organization

Quote

1 x Command Squad - (Clan Captain, 10 Sternguard)
2 x Sternguard Squad - (1 Iron Father, 5 Sternguard)
14 x Tactical Squad - (10 Marines)
2 x Assault Squad - (10 Marines)
30 x Scout Squad - (30 Scouts)
2 x Apothecary
5 x Iron Adept
Total Strength: 220 (Clan Captain, 2 Iron Father, 20 Sternguard, 140 Tactical Marines,20 Assault Marines, 30 Scouts, 2 Apothecary, 5 x Iron Adept)

Despite their large numbers of Tactical squads, the chapter rarely deploys the codex ten man squad. The Dancing Scythes tend to gravitate towards the Razorback over the Rhino for its heavier armament, and as such the smaller crew capacity allows for several squad members to become vehicle crewman for both the transports and other combat vehicles. One notable feature of the Dancing Scythes is the absence of Devastator squads. Chapter battle doctrine favors the use of their extensive motor pool for fire support. When heavy weapons are called for, it will often be provided by servitors and Thunderfire Cannons.


Iron Adepts are the equivalent to techmarines of other chapters, though they are superior to many of their cousins due to their increased training. After their service to the Martian techpriests they will continue their study on Lareso IX. During battle they will fight alongside Headquarters support detachments, deploying Thunderfire batteries and activating the sacred Dreadnoughts for war. Each Battle Clan has a smaller number of Iron Adepts to maintain the wargear and vehicles of the Clan. Iron Adepts that show a paticulary high level of skill may be selected to become an Iron Father. Iron Fathers take the place of chaplains in the Dancing Scythes, being a combination of techmarine and chaplain. The Iron Fathers are integral to the function of a Battle Clan, as they serve as tactical advisors to the Clan Captain and spiritual advisors to the rank and file. They are often used as section leaders. Due to their importance each Iron Father deploys with a veteran squad of Sterngaurd. The highest ranking is known as the Iron Master, the head of the Chapter Forge

Headquarters Clan Organization

Quote

Dreadnought Conclave – (1 Clan Master, 9 Dreadnooghts)
1 x Command Squad - (Warden, 5 Terminators)
3 x Terminator Squads – (5 Terminators)
5 x Iron Sworn Squads - (10 Iron Sworn Marines)
Apothecarion - (8 unassigned Apothecaries)
Librarium - (5 Librarians, number will vary due to nature of psykers)
Chapters Forge - (1 Iron Master, 20 Iron Adepts)
Total Strength: 105 (1 Clan Master, 20 Terminators, 50 Iron Sworn Marines, 8 Apothecaries, 5 Librarians, 20 Iron Adepts

In a tradition passed down since the death of Diodes, the Clan Master of the Dancing Scythes is interred into a dreadnought sarcophogus upon being elected to the position. This seems strange or even abhorent to other chapters, as internment into a dreadnought is only for great warriors who have suffered grevious wounds. It is a great honor among the Dancing Scythes, as it emulates the great founder Diodes but is also the apex of any marines coversion from flesh to steel.

As Clan Masters are normally healthy when they ascend to command of the chaprer, they do not need to be kept in slumber as long as a normal dreadnought, allowing them to effectively command the chapter. Yet they must still rest for periods at a time.In order to maintain his presence in the chapter during these periods the Clan Master is represented by the Warden, the captain of the Headquarters Clan

The Clan Master is notable as being the sole Contempor pattern dreadnought in the chapter. Since the 7 Worlds Revolt the Clan Master has been encased in the Shield of Tartus. This was formerly a dreadnought of the White Consuls, who fought alongside the chapter in suppressing the revolt. The White Consuls gifted the relic to the Dancing Scythes after the 3rd Battle Clan rescued the Consuls 2nd Company on the world of Tartus. armed with apowerful conversion beamer the shield is a dangerous opponent. It's power is multiplied by the squads of terminators, Iron Sworn, and dreadnoughts that deploy alongside it.

The Warden is the equerry of the Clan Master, serving to ensure that his lords edicts are enforced and to protect his authority during his time of rest. Traditionally the position of Warden is held by the strongest of the Iron Sworn. The position is not chosen by the Clan Master; instead the Iron Sworn themselves elect the strongest among them to the position. The position is seen as a great honor, yet some refuse the honor as the position is permanent, so there is no possibility of becoming a Clan Master. Those who refuse are often shamed by their brethren for forsaking their duty. The arms of the Warden include the Astris Falx, the ancient power scythe forged and weilded by Diodes before his internment into a dreadnought. The position of Warden did not come from Apilan, but it came a millenia later after a period of turmoil in the chapter whilst the Clan Master slumbered.

The Iron Sworn are veterans of the Chapter that served out an Iron Oath. The Iron Oath is an ancient tradition between the Dancing Scythes and the techpriests of Lareso IX. The Dancing Scythes lend a small number of marines to the Mechanicus for a certain period of time, similar to the Astartes relationship with the Death Watch. These oaths can last a small amount of time, perhaps for one specific but deadly mission, or can last for decades.The number of marines currently under the Oath varies, atleast two will serve as the honor guard for the Lareso IX Explorator General, but the number never reaches over a dozen. If these volunteers accomplish their task they return as changed men. The Mechanicus gift them with heavy augmentation, making them more machine then man, even for a son of Ferrus Manus. One powerful piece of equipment is a form of rare teleporter array technology thats allows them to deep strike much like terminators. Iron Sworn serve directly under the Clan Master, acting to bulk out the forces at his disposal

Equipment

The Dancing Scythes, both as an Iron Hands successor and close allies to the Mechanicus, maintain excellent equipment. However the chapter is lacking in many pieces of equipment other chapters have in excess. The chapter lost most of its Terminator Armor on Dalan Prime, and whilst the Mechanicum has proven useful in acquiring replacements the ancient sets of armor are still in short supply. On the other hand, the chapter has a large amount of combiweapons and master crafted equipment. Plasma weaponry and missile launchers are the favored specialist weapons.

As the chapter favors armored warfare, it has vehicles in abundance. Predators, Land Speeders, and Razorbacks in paticular are favored. Predators are deployed in the Annihilator pattern with heavy bolter sponsons and Razorbacks with lascannon and plasma gun turret.Land Speeders are deployed in squadrons of three with two heavy bolter and multi-melta Tornado patterns, and a heavy bolter armed Typhoon. Land Speeder Storms are also heavily used as the preferred deployment method for Scouts. The Scythes also keep a large number of specialized vehicles in reserve, such as Storm Talons, Vindicators, and Whirlwinds. Over time the Scythes has rebuilt much of its lost stock of Land Raiders, yet it still lacks the numbers it once had before Dalan Prime.

The chapter fleet only has a single battlebarge, the Medusa's Progeny, flagship of the Headquarters Clan. Each Battle Clan has two strike cruisers and a small number of support frigates.

Recruitment

One weakness of the Dancing Scythes relationship with the Mechanicus is that the people of Lareso IX are not of a paticulary hardy warrior stock. The vast majority toil away in the factories of Lareso IX, and the tech priests are not paticulary happy with the idea of large numbers of able bodied youth being sent to perish in chapter recruitment trials. The Skitarii also draw their own enlisted manpower from this recruitment pool, and they too do not wish to drain the best of the recruiting pool. The only recruits available from Lareso IX are the progeny of the Skitarii officer corp. Membership into the officer corp is hereditary, and the children of officers are sent away at five years old to begin training. It is assumed that some will die in training, as many of the recruits never graduate at eighteen years old. But the reality is that the Iron Master and his Iron Adepts monitor every recruits progress, and the best are selected at age eight.

While this process creates excellent recruits, the chapter only takes a third of its recruits from Lareso IX due to the small recruitment pool. The chapter however has another recruitment world, known only to the chapter and the highest ranking Lareso IX techpriests: Gorgons Nest. This small moon orbits the methane covered atmosphere of Lareso VIII. This moon was previously thought uninhabitable, its hot surface covered sparsely with vegatation and its local fauna either too small to subside off of or too large and dangerous to hunt. When Apilan relocated the chapter to Diodes' Tomb, his first priority was to have a safe and local source of recruits for the chapter to rebuild. With assistance from the Mechanicus, primitive humans were abducted from a variety of feral worlds the chapter recruited from during its early history. Tranplanted onto their strange new home, many were unable to cope with the change of enviroment. However the strongest survived, and those few survivors formed the warrior tribes that the chapter now recruits from. The tribes are also monitored by the Iron Master and Dreadnoughts, and when time comes the chapter abducts the strongest eight year olds.

Relations

The Dancing Scythes have many allies, and rivals, in the Imperium. Amongst their Astartes brothers the chapter keeps cordial relations with many chapters. The Dancing Scythes communicate frequently with the parent chapter, the Iron Hands. The White Consuls, who gave them the dreadnought Shield of Tartus, are also seen as close allies despite their seperate lineage. On the other end however, the Dancing Scythes have poor relations with many other Ultramarine succesors, who despise such a radical departure of the Codex.

As for non-Astartes forces, the Dancing Scythes have mixed relations. Members of the Ordo Hereticus and Eccleciastacy are paranoid of their close relations to the Mechanicus; yet at the same time the Ordo Xenos have established a good relationship with the chapter, who contribute a decent share of marines to the Death Watch.

Besides the Mechanicus, the closest allies to the Dancing Scythes are the Order of His Amethyst Heart. These Sisters of Battle were once rivals to the Dancing Scythes, both groups contributing major resources to Imperial efforts in and around Subsector Texka. The Sisters did not trust a group so close to the Mechanicus and their religous cult. These relations were always tense but never became violent, though everything changed after the 7 Worlds Rebellion. Both groups fought desperately to keep Tartus an Imperial world, and earned each others respect The Order, which once numbered a thousand strong, was reduced to just a one hundred battle hardened sisters. Shamed at their failure to keep their own home free of corruption, the Cannoness declared that the Order would go on an eternal crusade of pentinence. The Amethyst Heart has abadoned their duties on Tartus to another order, and they now crusade across the subsector and beyond, hunting the forces of chaos. They do this on the frigate Sickle Edge, a Dancing Scythes escort crewed mostly by servitors with a few chapter serfs. Whilst the chapter still technically owns the ship, it remains permanently attached to the Order of His Amethyst Heart. The only permanent Astartes crew member is an Iron Adept who acts as a liason to the order and runs maintenance. The order has remained small, never using its time to rebuild itself. Instead it remains a battle hardened cadre of just around 100 sisters.

The Chapter holds onto the olds beliefs of their primogenitor, Ferrus Manus. They seek to be the strongest they can be, and bionics are used to cover up any of the weakness of their flesh. However, the Dancing Scythes do not look down upon all humans and non-augmented as weak and frail. They believe that flesh is weak, but as they overcome weakness, they respect others who do the same. Guardsmen who overcome their limitations to accomplish great things are held in high regards. The best example of this is the 77th Midessan Bombadiers. During the Tartus Campaign, the regiment held an important trenchline on the chapters western flank. Despite repeated assaults by heretic forces, the regiment held. Their efforts allowed the chapter to open a gap through the enemy lines. When the chapter deployed reserves to reinforce the line, only two hundred men out of ten thousand still lived. The Clan Captain present awarded the commander a finely made power sword, and the other survivors received a shipment of well made hellguns from the Lareso IX armories.

The close relations with the Mechanicus has affected chapter beliefs, and the chapter has adapted many of their beliefs of the Emperor as the Omnissiah. This has created tension with the Ecclesiarchy and certain members of the Ordo Hereticus. The Dancing Scythes also hold their ancestors in high regards. Ferrus Manus is honored as their father and the son of the Omnissiah, and heros of the chapter such as Diodes and Apilan are looked to for inspiration.

The Dancing Scythes are always seeking to venerate their ancestors through emulation, such as the common habit of replacing their hands with bionic replacements to emulate Ferrus Manus. This habit even applies in death. Despite the name of the home, Diodes' Tomb, the Dancing Scythes do not bury their dead. Instead the dead of chapter are launched into the sun of Lareso, the cremation emulating the death of Diodes under the super heated bombardment of Dalan Prime.

The gene seed of the Dancing Scythes is relatively stable, although the apothecaries have noted a slow decline in the efficiency of the Larraman's organ. Whilst the chapter makes the best efforts to keeps it gene seed stable, bionics replace much of the Astartes physiology anyways. Any problems only prove the age old saying of their fore-bearers: The Flesh is Weak!

Chapter Motto
Scythes Ascendant!

http://s23.postimg.org/llrv4h8vf/Space_marine.jpg

[sitnam]

So here is my DIY chapter. I've worked on this for a while, but as you can see I suck at formating. I'll try to fix it later, kinda lte where I am. Any tips on better formating?

[sitnam]

Note: Updated with recruitment info

[Veteran Sergeant]

A few things:

"As with most new chapters, the Dancing Scythes would not be at full codex strength for its first few centuries. " We don't really know what the time table is for a new chapter. There is fluff that supports the idea that a new chapter is up and at full strength in less than a century. If you want your chapter to be understrength for a long time, it's better to write a reason for it rather than just fill in the blanks with official fluff that isn't official. Maybe because of beaureacratic slowdowns, or logistical problems, or a bad batch of gene seed that had to be sent back. Or heck, don't even bother to explain it. Just say "In its first few centuries, the chapter had difficulty attaining full strength." Remember, the idea of sharing your DIY Chapter here is that you want it to fit in with the shared universe we all imagine. 

 

Typo -  highly adcanced agricultural technology, - , he relayed the mssage to ev

 

Style - You tend to repeat words a lot. And you have some clunky sentences. Best to read it out loud to yourself and you'll find them.

 

Organization - It's not really clear. You talkin some parts about companies, then in others about Battle Clans. There are 6th, 7th and 8th companies, but that would put the Chapter strength well over 1,000 infantry if a Battle Clan is 200 guys.

[sitnam]

Thanks for reading through my long winded story

Founding: I changed the founding fluff up a little bit, and changed centuries to decades. I was under the impression a full founding took a much longer time for some reason.

Organization: That is a product of bad explanation and poor editing. The chapter was split into ten clans before the death of Diodes. When Apilan rebuilt the chapter he cut the number of clans down by half via merging the line squads into Battle Clans and the specialists into the Headquarters Clan. I changed the fluff up to better explain this in the After Diodes and Organization sections.

Typos and repeated words: I will go through little by little to find this type of stuff, thanks for the heads up. I am hesitant to make changes to the original post often though, every time I do it messes up the format. Like right now I know that the organization header isn't 24 font and I refer to part of the 1st company veterans despite having clans instead. But I'd rather wait and change that when I got more to edit :/

[Rizara]

First off, the idea of a dreadnought leading a chapter is cool but not practical. For starters, they often sleep and are awaken in times of need, whether it is for ancient wisdom or for battle. Second a dreadnought can't really train troops, yet alone scouts. They can impart wisdom but can not practically train a marine how to wield a chain sword or use a bolter since they can not physical show them as they are inside a sarcophagus that gets put into a dreadnought chassis.

 

Also, chapters that are still being founded would specifically be given missions capable of their smaller size depending on how fast they are progressing and their current strength. A new chapter would not be given a suicide mission so early on, and a chapter master acting I their own would eventually call the attention of the imperium, whether it be the inquisition or from other fellow chapters. They may act oftheir own accord but even still to be reckless when the chapter is still in its infancy would be foolhearted at best.

 

You can still play their fluff up as they are not always at full strength. Perhaps they began having issues with recruits not accepting the process, so it has slowed down recruitment so the chapter is operating under full strength. You could also have them recently survived an ambush or near decimation at the hands of the enemy and they are currently under strength. They could also be slightly under full strength due to a combined slow recruitment issue and maybe they have a strong tendency to never give up so often times strike forces are decimated if overwhelmed or they have a high casualty rate due to them trying to perform heroic feats and not give up to the enemies when overwhelmed.

 

Overall it's a good start, and like many new chapters they are always works in progress.

[sitnam]

 

First off, the idea of a dreadnought leading a chapter is cool but not

practical. For starters, they often sleep and are awaken in times of

need, whether it is for ancient wisdom or for battle. Second a

dreadnought can't really train troops, yet alone scouts. They can

impart wisdom but can not practically train a marine how to wield a

chain sword or use a bolter since they can not physical show them as

they are inside a sarcophagus that gets put into a dreadnought chassis.

You make a good point as to the sleep, and I believe i will change Diodes because of this. That actually gives me a good idea for a story segment regarding recovering his wargear/scythe, so kudos. Yet regarding him training as a dread, he isn't the sole member of the initial cadre of Iron Hands. In my mind the other members of the initial group of Dancing Scythes would do the practical training. Moot point anyways.

 

Also, chapters that are still being founded would specifically be given

missions capable of their smaller size depending on how fast they are

progressing and their current strength. A new chapter would not be

given a suicide mission so early on, and a chapter master acting I their

own would eventually call the attention of the imperium, whether it be

the inquisition or from other fellow chapters. They may act oftheir own

accord but even still to be reckless when the chapter is still in its

infancy would be foolhearted at best.

The chapter was at full strength going into the battle, they had been for a couple of centuries.  The chapter was young, yet I don't see it as unreasonable for them to jump into the situation. I did make a note that this was the first time since it reached full strength that it would deploy the whole chapter, as I know the deployment of an entire chapter to a conflict is a fairly rare occurence

 

 

You can still play their fluff up as they are not always at full

strength. Perhaps they began having issues with recruits not accepting

the process, so it has slowed down recruitment so the chapter is

operating under full strength. You could also have them recently

survived an ambush or near decimation at the hands of the enemy and they

are currently under strength. They could also be slightly under full

strength due to a combined slow recruitment issue and maybe they have a

strong tendency to never give up so often times strike forces are

decimated if overwhelmed or they have a high casualty rate due to them

trying to perform heroic feats and not give up to the enemies when

overwhelmed.

I will be honest I am slightly confused here. What gives the impression that they are always understrength?

[sitnam]

Question for some of the fluff experts around here: As i am writing up and updating my thoughts on the DS, I want to to incorporate story elements with different forces in the universe. I know it is generally frowned upon to make them part of a establish battle of some sort, but what if I wanted to talk about some rivalries or alliances they had. Would it be out of hand to say they had a close relationship to, say, the Flesh Tearers or a rivalry with the CrimsonFists? Those are just examples, but I feel to be apart of the bigger universe some of their fluff should bring in pre-existing 40k forces

[Prefect Apollyon]

I would definitely bring in some elements of official fluff, but friendships/rivalries with Chapters that are well covered will be frowned on. Also if you're going to include them in a major official conflict, it has to be a minor role. Saying your Chapter Master is now in Co-Command of Imperial Forces in the Cadian sector would be stupid.

[NightrawenII]

I would definitely bring in some elements of official fluff, but friendships/rivalries with Chapters that are well covered will be frowned on. Also if you're going to include them in a major official conflict, it has to be a minor role.

↲I disagree with all of this. You can have whatever relationship with whatever Imperial organisation, including other Chapters, official or DIY. On the other hand, don't stick your nose into well-covered official events.

[LongGone]

I'm by no means an expert on IA's (I'm still working on my first on myself) but this seems less like a story about your chapter and more like a story about a single battle. I understand that it's a part of your chapter's formative years, but still your origins section is a wall of text. I would work on cutting the story down a little, you don't need to be as descriptive in an IA as you would in a piece of fan fiction. Like I said, I'm no expert, it's just something I noticed. 

 

As far as relationships with other factions, I agree partly with both Prefect and Night. Feel free to ally yourself with any group, chapter, or organization you want. There's over ten thousand years of history in the 40k universe. There's just no way all of an organization's relationships have been laid down in canon. Likewise, there are quite a few large events in the universe that don't have 100% of the players named. This is where your chapter can insert themselves. They can't be the ones that fight at Hive Helsreach, but they can be one of the chapters that sided with Sebastian Thor. 

 

In the end, these are your little plastic men fighting in the imaginary universe in your head. Do with them what you will.

[sitnam]

@Prefect and Nightraven: i really wasnt going to bring them to any well known canon conflict, i was more interested in just expanding their role with other forces. I think one way to get around the worry of getting the to involved with major forces is to establish relationships with lesser known but still canon-established forces. Details are so sparse on chapters like the Hawk Lords or Death Spectres that getting involved with such groups should give more room for creativity.

 

@LongGone: yeah i embelished the whole battle a bit to much, but the idea of trimming it down irks me simply because I think it is a fairly good work in progress IMO and it was a huge time sink. Not that I wouldn't modify it, i'm in the process of rewriting and adding on sections. I just hope to keep it in some form...perhaps I'll post the whole of the battle in a seperate post and link it to the IA article. That sounds alot better and would allow me to expand the meat of the DS without expanding the wall of text in one post. Thanks!

 

I appreciate all the input

[Prefect Apollyon]

I'd shrink the story down in the IA, but there's no stopping you posting the story as a side note outside of the main index. When I finalise my own Chapter's index I'll be adding short background stories to it. 

[Gripharius]

I only have one, totally unproductive, comment: Astartes don't dance.

[sitnam]

I'm glad somebody commented on the chapter name :) I actually got it from one of the chapter name generators and it sounded catchy to me. Originally it was going to be a Blood Angels army with a close combat focus, but though I like the Blood Angels I prefer mechanized warfare and the Iron Hands more. The name stuck though. I suppose something like Iron Scythes would fit the theme better, but it's to late now :p

[Dosjetka]

I think that "Dancing Scythes" actually has a nice ring to it.

[Gulag]

Index Astartes

The Dancing Scythes Space Marines Chapter

 

http://s23.postimg.org/m7p27px87/100px_Scythes_of_the_Emperor_Logo.png

 

 

Origins

The Founding

The Dancing Scythes were founded late in M38, a product of the 23rd founding. The chapter was founded from various elements of the Clans of the Iron Hands, lead by the Venerable Dreadnought Atulan Diodes. Diodes was a veteran warrior of countless campaigns, and a strong believer in the teachings of Ferrus Manus. He was a radical within his own chapter however. After centuries of experience, Diodes had grown a disinterest in the clan structure of the Iron Hands, believing that having a singular strong leader to unite the clans instead a clan council would form the Iron Hands into a more capable force. When the Iron Hands were chosen to found a new chapter, Diodes was first choice of the Clan Council to lead this new succesor chapter. A excellent strategist and tactician with a knack for training new recruits, the assignment would also rid the Council of his constant criticism. Diodes more then understood this, but he took into his new duties with full force.  

 

The Pupils of Diodes

The Dancing Scythes would not be at full codex strength for its first few decades. As such Diodes, who was still respected by his old chapter despite his protests, would keep his space borne chapter within close proximity to Medusa. At the same time Diodes was rapidly implementing changes he had called for in the structure of his new chapter. The chapter was divided into ten clans whose captains formed a council, but at the head of the council would be the Master of the Clans. His proclamations could only be undone with a majority vote of the council, and as such the descendant chapter became more centralized. Despite his organizational changes Diodes still held allegiance to the teachings of Ferrus Manus. 'The Flesh is Weak' was still the overwhelming philosophy of the chapter, with bionic implants and a host of techmarines still playing integral parts in the chapters identity.    

 

As his chapter began to reach maturity, Diodes began drifting further and further away from Medusa. Despite his pride in his original chapter, Diodes felt it was time for his men to forge an identity of their own, a history seperate from the beloved parent chapter. He wanted to prove the chapters worth to the Emperor, to Ferrus Manus, and to the whole Imperium. The chapter accepted the requests of any Imperial Guard commanders for assistance, such as when the 1st Clan helped crush insurrection on Abilin II or the annihilation of Orks on the fortress world Sagelo. The Chapter actively sought war, and the Diodes soon gained a reputation as a capable, if somewhat uninmagitive commander. His preferred tactic was mass armored assaults, brutish strikes that went toe to toe with whatever enemy had misfortune of facing the Dancing Scythes. Finesse wasn't his way; with the grim resolve of any descendant of Ferrus Manus, he wanted to face the enemy head on and break their will.  

 

It was this resolve and determination that would lead to the most pivotal moment in the chapters history. 

 

Scythes Ascendant

On 312.M39, the Adeptus Mechanicus sent an Explorator expedition to the abandoned world of Dalan Prime. Located in the far regions of the Segmentum Tempestus, Dalan Prime was rumored to be a great technological center before the Horus Heresy, but the great civil war devastated the planet. It was abandoned shortly before the end of the war, nuclear radiation making it uninhabitable for nearly three millenia. The Adeptus Mechanicus, receiving rumors of several STC designs being stored on the dead world, sent a large expedition which included four full Skitarii regiments to search the plenet. They recovered several STC's long lost since the Heresy, including highly advanced agricultural technology. It was predicted that the spread of the agricultural technology would increase the output of any agriworld by 20%. These STC's could would benefit the food hungry Imperium more then any single weapon design ever could of. However, the enemies of humanity would not blindly sit by during this discovery. Days before the expedition was scheduled to leave Dalan Prime, reports came in from the fleet that a sizable Chaos force had just appeared from the warp. Led by the Siege Master, a giant Iron Warriors battleship traced back to the Great Crusade, the forces of the Ruinous Powers had their own plans for the vast stores of knowledge on Dalan Prime. The Explorator ships charged directly into the Chaos fleet. The fight would last twelve hours, the outnumbered and outgunned Mechanicus ships taking several Chaos ships with them. They were nontheless taken out to the last man. The Skitarii on Dalan Prime were stranded, and would soon fight for their lives against the Dark Mechanicus and their Iron Warrior allies.  

 

However, unknown to the Imperials and heretics, the fleets all out attack was not in vain. During the battle an Imperial Astropath on the cruiser Omnissiahs Will was able to send out a distress call. It was the Dancing Scythes who first got a hold of this message. Having recently finished a campaign against Eldar pirates in a nearby sector, the Diodes called for the chapter to regroup in order to assess their strength and to organize for new campaigns. It was a pure stroke of luck that the message was received during the chapters gathering, but it was fortunate for the beleagered Skitarii on Dalan Prime. Diodes knew the full implications of the STC's on Dalan Prime, and the blow the Imperium would suffer should this knowledge fall into the hands of Chaos. He decided to do something the chapter had never done since it became a full-strength chapter: deploy the whole chapter to one campaign. Quickly gathering his chapter, he relayed the message to every nearby Imperial world and then the Dancing Scythes went on the warpath. The blood of traitors would soon stain their weapons.  

  

The Dancing Scythes reached Dalan Prime seven days after the Chaos fleet arrived. The traitors had landed thousands of cultists alongside a warband of veteran Iron Warriors. The Skitarii regiments had grouped up and were putting up a spirited defence, their advance bionics and high quality weaponry making short work of the cultists in firefights. But wherever the Chaos Marines struck, the line would break. Despite their training and experience, the expedition would only last so long against the relentless assault. The arrival of the Dancing Scythes would be their best hope for survival, however the chapter would first have to deal with the Chaos fleet.  

 

The Chaos fleet was nearly twice the size of the chapters fleet, but it had two distinct disadvantages. First, it was severely damaged and undermanned from the fierce opening fleet engagement. Second, it was completely unprepared for the arrival of Imperials, whereas Diodes had a rough idea of fleet strength from the emergency relay. Diodes knew that his only chance of winning was to push the initative and take the enemy by suprise. The Dancing Scythes fleet jumped out of the warp ready for war, hardly giving the Chaos fleet any warning. With the chapter flagship Medusa's Progeny leading the fleet, the chapter began a bloody naval battle.The entire fleet fought with a frenzy, the Medusa's Progeny crippling the Siege Master in a series of broadside exchanges. The entire 7th and 8th Clans launched boarding actions on several Chaos ships, slaughtering the crews and detonating their drive cores with melta bombs. The Dancing Scythes took heavy losses however. Two strikes cruisers and several escorts were completely destroyed, alongside the 6th and 7th Clans. The 8th took heavy casualties but managed to save a quarter of its strength. But the Chaos fleet, weary from the first naval engagement and caught off guard by the Dancing Scythes, were handily defeated. With half of their fleet gone, the Chaos forces retreated from the system. Now it was the forces of Chaos who were stranded on the dead world of Dalan Prime.  

 

Rescuing the explorator force would be no easy task however. The heretics had managed to land a sizable force of cultists and traitor marines on the planet, and the Imperial forces were still outnumbered even with the victory in the skies. Furthermore, Diodes knew that should he hesistate to long, another Chaos fleet would surely arrive. He needed a quick victory if he hoped to rescue the Skitarii. Diodes immediately went into action. Establishing communications with the Adeptus Mechanicus, the Dancing Scythes chapter fleet began a interdictive orbital bomardment, targeting Chaos supply lines and troops movements. 

 

The Mechanicus commander, Techpriest Margul Tor, was weary from a week of fighting. His forces had been beaten and battered by the traitor marines, with only a half of his men in fighting condition. Tor was iron willed however, and when the chapter made contact he knew this day could still belong to the Imperium. He had made extensive use of servoskulls, originally programed for archive exploration, to scout enemy positions. He knew where the enemy was weakest, but beforehand he did not have the strength to exploit these gaps. Relaying this information to Diodes, the two commanders planned a breakthrough assault. The chapter would land at three landing zones behind the Chaos lines, with Diodes and the 8th and 4th Clans serving as a reserve force. Experts in mechanized warfare, the chapter would send in every armored vehicles in its armory for the assault. During these landings, the Skitarii would launch their own mechanized assault at the weakpoints in the enemy line. The chapter would launch an attack from the opposite direction, with one battlegroup hitting the traitors directly in the back whilst the others turned the flanks. With the fleet covering their landings, the battle groups quickly got into position and both Imperial forces launched their assault simultaneously. Caught off guard, the cultist lines faltered and fellback. Heavy fighting with the Iron Warriors stalled the assault in many sectors, and the heretics were able to form pockets of resistance. Completely encircled by the Imperials, the Iron Warriors were quick to set up defenses in these pockets. Whilst the suprise assault demolished the majority of the heretics, the individual pockets of resistance turned the battle into what Diodes did not want: a war of attrition against masters of siege warfare. It cost the Imperials heavily, but over the course of four days the archenemy was wiped out. Bloodied and bruised, the Imperial forces began the evacuation. Of the twenty thousand Skitarii who landed on Dalan Prime, only forty five hundred remained. The chapter had also taken losses: the brutal fight depleted half of the chapters strength in men and material. The evacuation would be difficult, and soon the fleet became overcrowded as the cargo bays were filled with the survivors of the explorator expedition. But the chapter was able to lift off all of the survivors, and after the evacuation the fleet prepared to move out of the system  

 

Before the fleet jumped into the Warp, one of Tors servoskulls spotted something frightening on the planet surface: a small force of Iron Warriors had escaped the battle early on and had moved to access a planetary defense laser; although the fleet could escape its range before the warband could get the weapon operational, the chapter felt honor bound to destroy them. Diodes ordered an orbital bombardment, but before the mission could commence however, fleet klaxons screamed on every ship: the Chaos fleet had returned.  

 

The arrival of the Chaos fleet put the Imperials in a bad spot. The warband was now a passing thought with an enemy fleet fast enclosing, the Imperials had to retreat in order to safeguard the STC information. Diodes decided on a new course of action: a planetary assault would be launched, but he would lead the assault. With half of the 1st Clan and volunteers from the other Clans, alongside Skitarii servitors, the Imperials would take the planetary defenses, whilst the fleet would hold position over the planetary laser. The plan was to eliminate the survivors on the ground and to use the defense laser to break a gap in the enemy fleet, giving the rest of the chapters fleet a chance to break through. Diodes chose to lead the ground assault because of the importance it meant to his chapters survival and the importance of the STC's the expedition had found. Diodes knew the chance of his own survival was slim, however victory on the assault could give the fleet the chance they needed to outmanuever and escape the forces of Chaos, and it would be dishonorable to allow one of his captains to sacrifice their lives in his stead. His ancient mechanical tomb powering up, the founder of the Dancing Scythes boarded his drop pod, every marine saluting across the fleet. Seventy veteran and tactical marines then boarded their drop pods, and ten venerable terminator marines readied for their deployment on the teleporter array. Over two hundred Skitarii and their heavy weapons servitors boarded the chapters thunderhawks. The plan was simple: to drop directly on top of the Iron Warriors and deliver the Emperors justice, the Skitarii and their techpriests would then man the planetary defenses while the Dancing Scythes on the ground would fortify the defenses from a ground assault. 

 

The ground attack struck like lightning. The terminators were first to arrive, catching a small group of Iron Warriors completely off guard, gunning them down with a storm bolter volley. The drop pods began arriving minutes later, spread across the landing zone to attack from every angle. Diodes landed in the very center of the Iron Warrior defenses, alongside one of his veteran squads. His plasma cannon pinned down the nearby Iron Warriors, as the veterans flanked and slaughtered them to the last man. The thunderhawks began landing as well, the battle well underway. Setting up firing positions, the Skitarii supported the Dancing Scythes assault with a battery of gun servitors. Within fifteen minutes of the terminators teleporting in the chapter had gained control of the planetary defenses command center. While small groups of traitors still fought a last stand effort, the Skitarii and their techpriests began powering up what few defenses were operational after years of neglect. Within minutes they were operational, just in time for the Chaos fleet to get into range. Signalling the fleet, the planetary defenses opened fire as the chapters forces moved to engage. Fighting in a tight formation, the fleet planned to break right through the middle of the enemy fleet. The defense lasers disrupted the Chaos fleet, and soon a gap formed. Taking the initative, the chapter cut through the fleet, the Medusa's Progeny leading the way. The chapter took more losses when its other battle-barge, the Scion of Steel, was disabled by enemy fire. Covering its fellow vessels, the marines and Skitarii onboard loaded onto boarding craft and assaulted the enemy vessels. While the boarding parties were killed to the man, their actions partly assisted in giving the fleet enough time to escape. With the fleet out of harms way, the Scion of Steel detonated its drive core, taking a few small Chaos escorts with it. This slowed down the Chaos fleet, and the rest of the fleet was able to escape the system. Incensed with their failure, the Chaos fleet blasted the surface of Dalan Prime, leaving no survivors.  

 

The chapter reached the forgeworld Lareso IX a month later to deliver the remnants of the Mechanicus expedition. The chapter had lost over 60% of its combat strength and its Chapter Master and founder. But it had gained a powerful new ally. The techpriests of Lareso IX would become wealthy and powerful through the production of these STC's, and it was Diodes and his chapter to thank. In return for the noble intervention of the chapter, the rulers of the forgeworld issued the Dalan Prime Proclamation. The Adeptus Mechanicus offered a permanent alliance to the Dancing Scythes which would include assistance in rebuilding the chapters strength and would also include the construction of a new fortress monastery on one of the moons of Lareso IX, which was renamed Diodes' Tomb in honor of the slain chapter master. In return the Dancing Scythes would supprt Mechanicus interests and also be bond to protect the forgeworld. The Dancing Scythes accepted this bargain happily: they were in a dire spot since the rescue operation, and the Adeptus Mechanicus was a powerful ally. This agreement would shape the Dancing Scythes more then any battle, and form a bond that has lasted to this day  

 

After Diodes

The chapter quickly regained its strength and within a century it was back to the standard thousand marine strength of a chapter. But even before then Apilan had been dispatching his chapter to various conflicts, often in support of Mechanicus expeditions. In the wake of the battle Apilan began a series of reforms to the chapter organization. Most notable was his elimination of the Fifth through Tenth clans. In its stead the chapter was organized around four Battle Clans, each a little bit aboce two hundred men strong. The Librarium, Apothecarian, Chapter Forge, and 1st Company veterans were rolled together  into the Headquarters Clan.  The chapters new organization attracted critism from Codex Chapters, especially Ultramarine succesors; yet the chapter's efficient fighting style and expert use of armored vehicles won them praise from allies. The chapter was frequently deployed in conflicts that involved heavy mechanized warfare, serving alongside mechanised Imperial Guard forces as well as Titan Legions. The 4th Battle Clan outsmarted and outmanuevered sadist Eldar raiders on the feudal world of Frankis, and on the besieged forgeworld of Tartus the 2nd Battle Clan broke the back of a traitor titan battlegroup alongside Titan Legio Ariete. The reborn chapter won accolades from their allies, despite Inquisitorial suspiscion for their ties to the Adeptus Mechanicus.  

 

Since the Battle of Dalan Prime the chapter has served across the Imperium, often in support of their Mechanicus allies. Besides assisting in Explorator expeditions, the chapter has a decorated record against heretical and mutant threats to the Imperium. While the chapter has not clashed with the Iron Warriors since their first meeting, they have engaged several renegade marine warbands throughout their history.  

 

Home World

Diodes Tomb is a small airless moon orbiting Lareso IX. With little mineral wealth, the moon had been used as nothing but a small port for Mechanicum patrol fleets. When the Dalan Prime Proclamation was issued, the small port was turned over to the Dancing Scythes. The chapter reinforced the port base into a formidable Fortress Monastary they renamed the Falx. Lareso IX itself is a wealthy forgeworld, in most part due to the discovery on Dalan Prime. Whilst the discoveries did not lend them increased military strength, the worlds Skitarii are well trained and spirited. Much of this is due to the regular training excercises the Dancing Scythes organize.  

 

Combat Doctrine

The Dancing Scythes favor armored warfare. They rarely deploy is mass drop pod assaults, prefering to use thunderhawks to deploy their battle groups. Land Speeders squadrons are used as foward elements, ranging ahead of the armored column in both recon and seek-and-destroy missions. Predators provide the bulk of the fire support, whilst Razorbacks and Rhinos deploy their squads to favorable positions. Specialists vehicles like Whirlwinds and Vindicators are deployed in situations requiring their usage, such as sieges. Scouts deploy in Land Speeder Storms as rapid response groups, reinforcing their brothers wherever the fighting it heaviest. Assault Marines deploy from Thunderhawk to overwhelm reinforced strongholds, as well as Terminators and Iron Sworn via teleportation. 

 

Organization

Battle Clan Organization

 

1 x Command Squad - (Clan Captain, 10 Sternguard)
2 x Sternguard Squad - (1 Iron Father, 5 Sternguard)
14 x Tactical Squad - (10 Marines)
2 x Assault Squad - (10 Marines)
30 x Scout Squad - (30 Scouts)
2 x Apothecary
5 x Iron Adept
Total Strength: 220 (Clan Captain, 2 Iron Father, 20 Sternguard, 140 Tactical Marines,20 Assault Marines, 30 Scouts, 2 Apothecary, 5 x Iron Adept)

Despite their large numbers of Tactical squads, the chapter rarely deploys the codex ten man squad. The Dancing Scythes tend to gravitate towards the Razorback over the Rhino for its heavier armament, and as such the smaller crew capacity allows for several squad members to become vehicle crewman for both the transports and other combat vehicles. One notable feature of the Dancing Scythes is the absence of Devastator squads. Chapter battle doctrine favors the use of their extensive motor pool for fire support. When heavy weapons are called for, it will often be provided by servitors and Thunderfire Cannons. The following is fairly typical of the organization of a fully deployed battle clan:  

 

1 x Command Squad - Land Raider - Clan Captain, 9 Sternguard, 3 crewman
2 x Sternguard Squad - Razorback - Iron Father, 5 Sternguard, 2 crewman
6 x Tactical Squad - Razorback - 6 Marines, 2 crewman
3 x Tactical Squad - Rhino - 10 Marines, 1 crewman
2 x Assault Squad - Thunderhawk deployed reserve - 10 Marines, 4 crewman
6 x Predator Annilihator - 2 crewman
3 x Land Speeder Typhoon - 2 crewman
6 x Land Speeder Typhoon - 2 crewman
3 x Scout Squad -- Land Speeder Storm – 2 scout screw, 5 scouts
1 x Fleet Reserve - 1 Sternguard, 9 Scouts, 14 tactical marines, 2 apothecary, 5 x Iron Adept

 

The organization above was used during the armored assault against Chaos armored forces on Tartus. While this force used a large number of its marine contigent as standard tactical marines, only three squads were used in full strength. Chapter doctrine places great emphasis on threes. During this operation Predators operated in groups of three, land speeder typhoons operated with a pair of land speeder tornados, rhino squads operated with a pair of razorbacks squads. These groupings are placed under command of the most veteran sergeants to help coordinate the battle.  

 

Headquarters Clan Organization

1 x Command Squad - (Clan Master, 5 Terminators)
3 x Terminator Squad - (10 Terminators)
5 x Iron Sworn Squads - (10 Iron Sworn Marines)
Apothecarion - (9 unassigned Apothecaries)
Librarium - (5 Librarians, number will vary due to nature of psykers)
Chapters Forge - (1 Iron Master, 20 Iron Adepts, ~10 Dreadnoughts)
Total Strength: 130 (1 Clan Master, 35 Terminators, 50 Tactical Marines, 9 Apothecaries, 4 Librarians, 20 Iron Adepts)

Iron Adepts are the equivalent to techmarines of other chapters. They perfect their skills in the chapters forge, and also deploy alongside Headquarters support detachments, deploying Thunderfire batteries and activating the sacred Dreadnoughts for war. Each Battle Clan has a smaller number of Iron Adepts to maintain the wargear and vehicles of the Clan. When called to battle the iron adepts often serve as de facto devastators with thunderfire cannons and gun servitors; another common tactic is to deploy iron adepts on bikes, serving as mobile repair teams for damaged vehicles.  

 

The Iron Sworn are veterans of the Chapter that served out an Iron Oath. The Iron Oath is an ancient tradition between the Dancing Scythes and the techpriests of Lareso IX. The Dancing Scythes lend a small number of marines to the Mechanicus for a certain period of time, similar to the Astartes relationship with the Death Watch. These oaths can last a small amount of time, perhaps for one specific but deadly mission, or can last for decades or even a century. The number of marines currently under the Oath varies, but atleast two will serve as the honor guard for the Lareso IX Explorator General. Nontheless the number never reaches over a dozen. If these volunteers accomplish their task they return as changed men. The Mechanicus gift them with heavy augmentation, making them more machine then man, even for a son of Ferrus Manus. One additional piece of equipment is a form of rare teleporter array technology thats allows them to deep strike much like terminators. Iron Sworn serve directly under the Clan Master, acting to bulk out the forces at his disposal 

 

Equipment

The Dancing Scythes, both as an Iron Hands successor and close allies to the Mechanicus, maintain excellent equipment. However the chapter is lacking in many pieces of equipment other chapters have in excess. The chapter lost most of its Terminator Armor on Dalan Prime, and whilst the Mechanicum has proven useful in acquiring replacements the ancient sets of armor are still in short supply. On the other hand, the chapter has a large amount of combiweapons and master crafted equipment. The most sacred relic of the chapter is the Astris Falx, a master crafted scythe forged and wielded by a young Diodes. Plasma Guns and Missile launchers are the favored specialist weapons of the chapters, although Flamers and Plasma Cannons are often used in their stead.

 

As the chapter favors armored warfare, it has vehicles in abundance. Predators, Land Speeders, and Razorbacks in paticular are favored. Predators are deployed in the Annihilator pattern with heavy bolter sponsons and Razorbacks with lascannon and plasma gun turret. Land Speeders are deployed in squadrons of three with two heavy bolter and multi-melta Tornado patterns, and a heavy bolter armed Typhoon. Land Speeder Storms are also heavily used, the preferred deployment method for Scouts. 

 

The chapter fleet only has a single battlebarge, the Medusa's Progeny, flagship of Headquarters Clan. Each Battle Clan has two strike cruisers and a small number of support frigates. 

 

Recruitment

 

One weakness of the Dancing Scythes relationship with the Mechanicus is that the people of Lareso IX are not of a paticulary hardy warrior stock. The vast majority toil away in the factories of Lareso IX, and the tech priests are not paticulary happy with the idea of large numbers of able bodied youth being sent to perish in chapter recruitment trials. The Skitarii also draw their own enlisted manpower from this recruitment pool, and they too do not wish to drain the best of the recruiting pool. The only recruits available from Lareso IX are the progeny of the Skitarii officer corp. Membership into the officer corp is hereditary, and the children of officers are sent away at five years old to begin training. It is assumed that some will die in training, as many of the recruits never graduate at eighteen years old. But the reality is that the Dancing Scythes Iron Master (or an experienced Iron Adept in his stead) and any non-active duty Dreadnoughts closely monitor the recruits progress, and those best suited are hand over by the Mechanicus at age eight.  

 

While this process creates excellent recruits, the small pool for recruitment only accomplishes 30% of the chapters needs. The chapter however has another recruitment world, known only to the chapter and the highest ranking Lareso IX techpriests: Gorgons Nest. This small moon, orbits the methane covered atmosphere of Lareso VIII. This moon was previously thought uninhabitable, its hot surface covered sparesly with vegatation and its local fauna either too small to subside off of or too large and dangerous to hunt. When Apilan relocated the chapter to Diodes Tomb, his first priority was to have a safe and local source of recruits for the chapter to rebuild. With assistance from the Mechanicus, primitive humans were abducted from a variety of feral worlds the chapter recruited from during its early fleet-based history and transplanted on the moon. Many died, unable to cope with the change of enviroment. But the strongest survived, and those few survivors formed the warrior tribes that the chapter recruits from. The tribes are also monitored by the Iron Master and Dreadnoughts, and when time comes the chapter abducts the strongest eight year olds. 

 

Beliefs

The Chapter holds onto the olds beliefs of their primogenitor, Ferrus Manus. They seek to be the strongest they can be, and bionics are used to cover up any of the weakness of their flesh. However, the Dancing Scythes do not look down upon all humans and non-augmented as weak and frail. They believe that flesh is weak, but as they overcome weakness, they respect others who do the same. Guardsmen who overcome their limitations to accomplish great things are held in high regards. The best example of this is the 77th Midessan Bombadiers. During the Tartus Campaign, the regiment held an important trenchline on the chapters western flank. Despite repeated assaults by heretic forces, the regiment held. Their efforts allowed the chapter to open a gap through the enemy lines. When the chapter deployed reserves to reinforce the line, only two hundred men out of ten thousand still lived. The Clan Captain present awarded the commander a finely made power sword, and the other survivors received a shipment of well made hellguns from the Lareso IX armories. The close relations with the Mechanicus has affected chapter beliefs, and the chapter has adapted many of their beliefs of the Emperor as the Omnissiah. This has created tension with the Ecclesiarchy and certain members of the Ordo Hereticus.  

 

Geneseed

The gene seed of the Dancing Scythes is relatively stable, although the apothecaries have noted a slow decline in the efficiency of the Larraman's organ. Whilst the chapter makes the best efforts to keeps it gene seed stable, bionics replace much of the Astartes physiology. Any problems only prove the age old saying of their forebearers: The Flesh is Weak!  

 

Chapter Motto

Scythes Ascendant!

 

http://s23.postimg.org/llrv4h8vf/Space_marine.jpg

 

 

 

I rather like this, as it stands. Diodes as a dreadnought is nothing to be rid of, IMHO. I also really like the name too for what its worth.

[sitnam]

I've done a big reorganization and rewriting of the IA, including using spoiler tags to cut down on the massive wall of text. I also decided to keep the thing about the chapter being led by a dreadnought, and expanded upon that as well

[ElectricPaladin]

I think if you want to have the chapter master as a dreadnought, that's cool, but you need to explain how the chapter gets around the limitations inherent in the dreadnought condition. I agree that not being able to show off his sweet sword moves isn't a serious disability, but the whole "goes slowly insane so he has to be kept in stasis until he's needed" thing is a much bigger problem.

 

Is the dreadnought kind of an "honorary" chapter master, while someone else - someone who can be conscious all the time, rather than being awakened periodically - does the day-to-day duties? Perhaps that someone else is the heir apparent, a tactically minded marine who everyone knows will be tapped to take the chapter master job should something happen to the current dreadnought/master? Or alternately, has the chapter figured out some way to get around the creeping madness that gradually overtakes interred Astartes, allowing their dreadnoughts to be active at all times?

 

Personally, what I'd always wanted to see is a chapter that takes the whole dreadnought thing even further. Why not wire crippled Astartes into other vehicles as well? Land raiders? Stormravens? Strike cruisers? It would ridiculous.

[sitnam]

 

 

Is the dreadnought kind of an "honorary" chapter master, while someone else - someone who can be conscious all the time, rather than being awakened periodically - does the day-to-day duties? Perhaps that someone else is the heir apparent, a tactically minded marine who everyone knows will be tapped to take the chapter master job should something happen to the current dreadnought/master? Or alternately, has the chapter figured out some way to get around the creeping madness that gradually overtakes interred Astartes, allowing their dreadnoughts to be active at all times?

 

 

I've actually answered that in the update. The chapter has a member termed the Warden, captain of the Headquarters Clan. He is chosen as a sort of second in command to the chapter master, who undertakes the duties as chapter master during times of rest.

[sitnam]

So I'm kinda thinking about changing the color scheme to the chapter. Not that I dont like the current one, but it is a bit bland, especially with the host of red/black color schemes around. I'm keeping the color, but I swapped them around to something that may be a bit more unique

 

http://s15.postimg.org/r9z4xhjbf/Test3.jpg

 

I'm still a bit undecided. I feel the first scheme is cleaner and easier to paint, though this one is more unique. Thoughts?