**WIP project** The Swords of Alterra **WIP project**

[Nartoth]

Hello B&C, this is my first ever post on the forums I have been a member for a while and a long time reader of these great forums. I felt that it is time for me to bring my idea of my own Chapter to the forum for help and advice (please don't be too harsh! hehe). 

 

So I am going to use this topic as a starting point were I can put all the ideas of how I want my chapter to look and feel, and of course the background that I am fleshing out and then once I am 100% happy with the background and information on the chapter I will put it into a more cohesive formate!

 

I welcome any advice from anyone on the forums, this will be an ongoing process for myself, this being the first step, then I will move on to the actual creation of my force.

 

SWORDS OF ALTERRA

 

Basic Information:

 

Founding Chapter: Undecided yet

Founding: During M.33

Chapter Master: TBA

Homeworld: Alterra (destroyed), Now fleet based

Fortress-Monastery: Vengeance (mobile fortress-monastery)

Colours: Astronomican Grey and Mechirite Red (see the image below)

Strength: TBA

Battle Cry: TBA

 

 

Currently my idea for the chapter is that they were founded sometime during M.33 to defend a planet by the name of Alterra a unique planet in the Imperium the Alterrans are a devout people, the planet is a covered in temples and places of worship, whilst they are devout imperial citizens they worship in a very different way to the rest of the Imperium. They hold the Emperor and all the loyalist Primarchs as gods (like the Greek or Roman Pantheon) 

 

I want this to be shown in the history and style of the Swords, they are going to be very devout not just to one Primarch but the Pantheon and take on a more warrior monk style then normal SM chapters.

 

The temples are going to be focused on worship of an individual Primarch 

 

The fall of the planet I have the idea that worship of a fallen Primarch (chaos influenced) and this forced the chapter to destroy the planet and they vowed Vengeance on Chaos and embarked on an eternal crusade.  

 

I will post more information on the ideas that I have for this (I have a note book full of ideas) when I get home, currently at work.

 

Thanks for reading and I hope I haven't rambled too much. 

 

**First edit**

 

Okay am home now lets continue with getting all the information and ideas I have out in the open and I am then going to try and put this into some kind of coherent post.

 

The main focus points of my Chapter's background that I am looking at developing at the moment are:

 

• Reason they were created
• There connection to Alterra - they recruit solely from there and are (were) the planet's protectors.
• What happened during the 'fall of Alterra' 

 

[Quixus]

I don't think the High Lords of Terra would decree that a SM chapter would be created to defend a single planet.

[Nartoth]

I don't think the High Lords of Terra would decree that a SM chapter would be created to defend a single planet.

 

Yeah, I thought of that as I was posting this, I need a reason the chapter was created and want them to have very strong ties to this planet any ideas on how I could achieve that?

[Nartoth]

Okay, just going to throw all the information out there and sort through it as I go. My goal is to have a 'complete' history and background not only for the Chapter but for the planet and it's beliefs.

 

The main idea for the religion / temples of Alterra comes from the worship of the Emperor & his sons each temple is devoted to one particular Primarch. I am also thinking of ways to display this "Pantheon Worship" in the Chapter.

 

The Temples: 

 

• The Emperor - The Grand Temple of Alterra is the place of worship of the Emperor
• Lion'El Johnson
• Roboute Guilliman
• Rogal Dorn
• Sanguinius
• Vulkan
• Corax
• Leman Russ
• Ferrus Manus
• Jaghatai Khan

This is going to lead into that I want my chapter to not know which Primarch it's gene seed comes from.

 

Each of the Temples is going to have there own monks that train and live there, like the Buddhist monks of Asia. They will be highly trained and highly disciplined, making the planet a stark contrast to the rest of the Imperium.

 

I am toying with the idea of the planet also having there own Imperial Guard Regiment ('The defenders of Alterra').

 

The Temples monks will be were the chapter selects recruits as does the regiment.

 

Will post more soon    

[Olis]

Might I suggest, if you are indeed taking a pantheonic route to this chapter's belief system, then you need to decide quite early what gene-seed and what primarch this chapter calls it's own. That way you'll have one or two 'main' temples with the others acting more like satellite temples, providing inspiration for those who specifically seek guidance there.

 

Astartes planets don't usually raise Guard regiments once they become Astartes homeworlds. The population is needed for keeping the chapter supplied with men (and perhaps war materiel). A PDF isn't out of the question, though. As for the monks - why not make it simple: They're particularly pious chapter serfs. Boom. ;)

 

Now, presumably, your chapter will also have a decent working relationship with the Ecclesiarchy (read: not arguing) given the look of it's beliefs. Might I advocate something else to add - the acknowledgement, by the chapter itself (rather than by you), of particular saints. Nothing special. Just an inscription here or a picture there of Imperial saints that the chapter thinks are worthy of contemplation. 

 

Anyhoo, onto the reason they were created. As a 33rd millenium chapter (which is roughly fifth-ish founding) will have a long and storied history (most of which isn't necessary for this IA). What you need to worry about is what was happening at the time - which is not a huge amount, compared to other eras of the Imperium. However, pushing it back to M34 allows for a great opportunity for the creation of your chapter - the Pale Wasting. This event accounted for eleven space marine chapters which could clearly provide space for your chapter to step in. Perhaps they were created to make up for losses? Maybe they were spawned to counter a future anticipated Pale Wasted (which never happened, as far as we know).

[Nartoth]

Might I suggest, if you are indeed taking a pantheonic route to this chapter's belief system, then you need to decide quite early what gene-seed and what primarch this chapter calls it's own. That way you'll have one or two 'main' temples with the others acting more like satellite temples, providing inspiration for those who specifically seek guidance there.

Astartes planets don't usually raise Guard regiments once they become Astartes homeworlds. The population is needed for keeping the chapter supplied with men (and perhaps war materiel). A PDF isn't out of the question, though. As for the monks - why not make it simple: They're particularly pious chapter serfs. Boom.

Now, presumably, your chapter will also have a decent working relationship with the Ecclesiarchy (read: not arguing) given the look of it's beliefs. Might I advocate something else to add - the acknowledgement, by the chapter itself (rather than by you), of particular saints. Nothing special. Just an inscription here or a picture there of Imperial saints that the chapter thinks are worthy of contemplation.

Anyhoo, onto the reason they were created. As a 33rd millenium chapter (which is roughly fifth-ish founding) will have a long and storied history (most of which isn't necessary for this IA). What you need to worry about is what was happening at the time - which is not a huge amount, compared to other eras of the Imperium. However, pushing it back to M34 allows for a great opportunity for the creation of your chapter - the Pale Wasting. This event accounted for eleven space marine chapters which could clearly provide space for your chapter to step in. Perhaps they were created to make up for losses? Maybe they were spawned to counter a future anticipated Pale Wasted (which never happened, as far as we know).

Thanks for the reply Olisredan you have definitely given me alot to think about and some more focus on the direction of my Chapter. You are right and I was thinking this during the night that I would need to decide on the chapter's gene-seed and primarch. Any suggestions are welcome! I am thinking of going with Roboute Guilliman or Rogal Dorn, I need to also come up with an original chapter symbol, at the moment I am using the Dark Angels symbol though I feel that would give my chapter the appearance of a Dark Angels successor which isn't what I want.

The PDF and chapter serfs suggestion makes complete sense to me! and the link to the Ecclesiarchy! I never even gave the idea of acknowledgement of Saints any thought. This has given me a lot of inspiration.

I quickly had a look about the Pale Wasting and think moving it to M34 is a sound idea and one I will go with!

I am going to work more on fleshing out my ideas and will post more soon! :)

[Olis]

No problem, brother. I'm glad some of my suggestions had found their mark, and even more so that I've provided inspiration. There is a reason why I stalk the halls of the Liber - to give guidance and advice to new Liberites and old.

 

I think, when it comes to choosing a gene-sire, you need to consider two things: 1) Who do you like/know best out of the loyalist primarchs and 2) what sort of warfare or strategies will your chapter favour? It's all well and good choosing Guilliman or Dorn (nothing wrong with either in the slightest) but descendants of either are two a penny, and by that very fact, they immediately confer an unoriginal flavour to the work in question. I'd only advocate Guilliman or Dorn if you have a clear idea of the psychological identity of the chapter.

[Wolvar]

Nice fluff and the colour scheme looks great. If your using a heavily religious world with a 'Pantheon' of gods effect then is it possible the Word Bearers Legion originally founded Alterra in the early days of the Great Crusade when they were the forerunner in Emperor Worship before they were denounced. Would leave you one possible way for the worlds eventual destruction - despite Ecclesiarchy oversight and closing of Heresy (Chaos) Primarch Temples an entrenched undercurrent of the worlds priests and people still worship Lorgar and his earliest texts on the Emperor; maybe don't believe he went rogue opening up the world to Word Bearers corruption later on in history. Anyway just a thought - keep up the great work.

[Nartoth]

No problem, brother. I'm glad some of my suggestions had found their mark, and even more so that I've provided inspiration. There is a reason why I stalk the halls of the Liber - to give guidance and advice to new Liberites and old.

 

I think, when it comes to choosing a gene-sire, you need to consider two things: 1) Who do you like/know best out of the loyalist primarchs and 2) what sort of warfare or strategies will your chapter favour? It's all well and good choosing Guilliman or Dorn (nothing wrong with either in the slightest) but descendants of either are two a penny, and by that very fact, they immediately confer an unoriginal flavour to the work in question. I'd only advocate Guilliman or Dorn if you have a clear idea of the psychological identity of the chapter.

 

I am not the best word smith out there so having a place like this to show my ideas and get feedback is great! :) 

 

My favourite loyalist Primarch is Guilliman if I am being honest with myself, the Ultramarines and there regency over Ultramar has always fascinated me, I wouldn't want to in anyway duplicate the Ultramarines or Ultramar. Guilliman feels like my natural choice, 1 for the fact that I want my chapter to have a very stable gene-seed and 2 that there going to have a very standard astartes approach to warfare.

 

 

Nice fluff and the colour scheme looks great. If your using a heavily religious world with a 'Pantheon' of gods effect then is it possible the Word Bearers Legion originally founded Alterra in the early days of the Great Crusade when they were the forerunner in Emperor Worship before they were denounced. Would leave you one possible way for the worlds eventual destruction - despite Ecclesiarchy oversight and closing of Heresy (Chaos) Primarch Temples an entrenched undercurrent of the worlds priests and people still worship Lorgar and his earliest texts on the Emperor; maybe don't believe he went rogue opening up the world to Word Bearers corruption later on in history. Anyway just a thought - keep up the great work.

 

Thank you Wolvar! As I said I am not the greatest word-smith but I am glad you like my idea. Ahh the Word Bearers despite how corrupt they became they are my favourite legion, and love the idea that Alterra was founded by them in the early days of the Great Crusade! that will fit perfectly and give a great hook into the destruction of the planet! thank you so much!! 

 

I am going to do a massive update either tonight or over the weekend and flesh this out even more! 

[Olis]

My favourite loyalist Primarch is Guilliman if I am being honest with myself, the Ultramarines and there regency over Ultramar has always fascinated me, I wouldn't want to in anyway duplicate the Ultramarines or Ultramar. Guilliman feels like my natural choice, 1 for the fact that I want my chapter to have a very stable gene-seed and 2 that there going to have a very standard astartes approach to warfare.

 

That's fair enough. So they follow the Codex, then. Any ideas on their outlook? Are they particularly monkish (considering temples and whatnot) or do you have something else in mind?

 

I am going to do a massive update either tonight or over the weekend and flesh this out even more! 

 

Don't go too overboard with getting a massive update done - you don't want to peak early and burn out. If you only get some of what you planned to do done, it's not a problem. Post it up and continue chipping away at it. ;)

[Gripharius]

 

I need a reason the chapter was created

 

Actually, I think its a common misconception that you need to include a reason for the creation of a Chapter.  The founding of a Chapter is a major event that takes many decades, even centuries, and involves the mobilization of massive amounts of resources from all branches of the Imperium.  Its a massive event, and the High Lords of Terra (generally) found Chapters based on very long-term plans and meta-needs rather than individual uprisings or specific incidents.  There are exceptions to this, of course, like when a new alien race emerges with massive devastating power or something, but the founding of a Chapter is more about the High Lords weighing the overall effectiveness and strength of the entire Imperial combat forces against the threats facing the Imperium than any short-term or local considerations.   

 

 

want them to have very strong ties to this planet any ideas on how I could achieve that?

 

There are several ways you can do this, but I'll focus on two.  The first is the easier, more often done and less original -- Have some event occur that ties the Chapter to the Planet... like they lose their first major battle on the planet and hundreds of thousands are slaughtered, so the Chapter Master swears eternal vigilance over the world, or something.

 

The second way is more difficult, less common and ultimately much more rewarding: have them recruit exclusively from the world, and have the culture of the world shape the culture of the Chapter.  Like the Space Wolves being so tied to Fenris because the Chapter is so utterly Fenrisian.  Most recruits from random worlds into Chapters leave their homeworld's culture behind, but the Space Wolves are steeped in Fenrisian culture, so much so that it has moved them away from the Codex, given them things like Rune Priests, etc.

 

If you can figure out a good way to do the culture thing, you'll have yourself a unique and memorable Chapter.

[Nartoth]

 

My favourite loyalist Primarch is Guilliman if I am being honest with myself, the Ultramarines and there regency over Ultramar has always fascinated me, I wouldn't want to in anyway duplicate the Ultramarines or Ultramar. Guilliman feels like my natural choice, 1 for the fact that I want my chapter to have a very stable gene-seed and 2 that there going to have a very standard astartes approach to warfare.

 

That's fair enough. So they follow the Codex, then. Any ideas on their outlook? Are they particularly monkish (considering temples and whatnot) or do you have something else in mind?

 

My idea from the onset of this project is for my chapter to be Warrior Monks, highly trained (as all Space Marines are) in all aspects of warfare, but also very devout and seek guidance through the different Temples.  

 

 

 

 

I need a reason the chapter was created

 

Actually, I think its a common misconception that you need to include a reason for the creation of a Chapter.  The founding of a Chapter is a major event that takes many decades, even centuries, and involves the mobilization of massive amounts of resources from all branches of the Imperium.  Its a massive event, and the High Lords of Terra (generally) found Chapters based on very long-term plans and meta-needs rather than individual uprisings or specific incidents.  There are exceptions to this, of course, like when a new alien race emerges with massive devastating power or something, but the founding of a Chapter is more about the High Lords weighing the overall effectiveness and strength of the entire Imperial combat forces against the threats facing the Imperium than any short-term or local considerations.   

 

> 

want them to have very strong ties to this planet any ideas on how I could achieve that?

 

There are several ways you can do this, but I'll focus on two.  The first is the easier, more often done and less original -- Have some event occur that ties the Chapter to the Planet... like they lose their first major battle on the planet and hundreds of thousands are slaughtered, so the Chapter Master swears eternal vigilance over the world, or something.

 

The second way is more difficult, less common and ultimately much more rewarding: have them recruit exclusively from the world, and have the culture of the world shape the culture of the Chapter.  Like the Space Wolves being so tied to Fenris because the Chapter is so utterly Fenrisian.  Most recruits from random worlds into Chapters leave their homeworld's culture behind, but the Space Wolves are steeped in Fenrisian culture, so much so that it has moved them away from the Codex, given them things like Rune Priests, etc.

 

If you can figure out a good way to do the culture thing, you'll have yourself a unique and memorable Chapter.

 

 

Thanks for the feedback Gripharius, this gives me the idea that I can just introduce the Chapter as being created by decree of the High Lords of Terra using the Ultramarines gene-seed, with Alterra being picked as the chapters Homeworld and sole recruiting planet for the reason that the Alterrans are a uniquely devout and loyal peoples of the Imperium, the temples are where the recruits will be chosen from as all Alterran males are given over to a Temple from the age of 5 and trained from then on. That's what I am thinking anyway.  

[Nartoth]

It's been a busy week for me but I have been working on my Chapter when I can and am finally in place that I can present everything I have for the background and theme of my chapter. I am still trying to work out the Chapter's symbol, currently I am using the DA's symbol as a placeholder, if there are any artists out there that feel like creating a symbol for me feel free

SWORDS OF ALTERRA

Basic Information:

Founding Chapter: Ultramarines

Founding: During M.33

Chapter Master: Marcus Alcarus

Home-world: Alterra (destroyed)

Fortress-Monastery: Vengeance (mobile fortress-monastery)

Colours: Astronomican Grey and Mechirite Red

Strength: Full Chapter strength

Battle Cry: "For the Emperor! For the Primarchs! For Alterra!"

Alterra:

Alterra was inducted back into the arms of the Imperium during the glory days of the Great Crusade by the Word Bearer legion. The native Alterrans were a strong but spiritual people and welcomed the arrival of the Word Bearers with worship and reverence. The word bearers quickly started as to preach Lectitio Divinitatus that was penned by there Primarch Logar, once the world was fully inducted back into the young Imperium the Word Bearers left to continue there part in the Crusade. In time Alterra became a world of worship of the Emperor and the Primarchs, the Alterrans set up Temples dedicated to the worship of each Primarchs and would continue to hone there skills both as warriors and scholars of faith. They were loyal subjects of the Imperium, during the Heresy, Alterra received the news of the betrayal of the traitorous Primarchs which resulted in a brutal civil war with some of the traitor temples refusing to stop worship of there Primarch. Eventually though they managed to utterly destroy the traitors.

In the aftermath of the heresy Alterra flourished as a sort of spiritual sanctuary, the high conclave (the ruling priests of the planet) expanded Alterra out into there system with the aid of the Adeptus Mechanicus set up forge worlds on the neighbouring planets to contribute to the fledgling Imperium.

The coming of a new Chapter:

Early in the 33rd Millennium upon decree of the High Lords the Ultramarines were tasked with siring a new Chapter, selected for the honour of setting up this new Chapter was Captain Gaius of the 3rd company, a man of great respect within the Ultramarines he was also a very spiritual man having visited Alterra during secondment to the Deathwatch he became fascinated by the warrior-monks of the Alterran Temples. It was this fascination that Gaius immediately knew that he would choose Alterra as the new chapter's home world. He set off with a small detachment of marines and various imperial personnel on route to Alterra to begin the long and arduous task of creating an Adeputs Astartes Chapter.

The Alterrans welcomed the opportunity for there strongest male sons to join the ranks of the warriors of the Primarchs and with the approval of Gaius, each of the temples held annual tournaments to display there strongest candidates (which continued until the fall)

Once the first intake of initiates began, Gaius in consultation with his advisors chose the name Swords of Alterra and the colour scheme and chapter symbol followed. Gaius was officially named the first Chapter Master of the Swords and received a blessing from each of the Alterran Temples. Gaius set to work on the organisation of his chapter, keeping in line with the teachings of the Codex Astartes the Swords are divided into ten battle companies; however it was decided that each marine would stay attached to the temple they came from, this promoted not only strong bonds of brotherhood within the companies but also across the chapter as a whole.

Within 100 years the Swords were nearly at full strength, during that time they had supported the Ultramarines and other chapters with actions across the Ultima Segmentum earning a reputation as fierce yet honourable warriors.

Alterra flourished under the protection of the Swords, the high conclave named Gaius Warrior-priest and protector of Alterra, henceforth all Chapter Masters of the Swords would hold this title.

Side by side with the recruitment and creation of the chapter, work was started on the Fortress-Monastery, carved into the largest mountain on the planet the locals named it the Citadel of Alterra, it was by far the biggest structure on the planet's surface.

The Temples:

• Roboute Guilliman
• Rogal Dorn
• Sanguinius
• Lion'El Johnson
• Vulkan
• Corax
• Leman Russ
• Ferrus Manus
• Jaghatai Khan

The Fall of Alterra:

Late in the 37th Millennium the Swords faced there greatest challenge to date, unknown to the conclave underground temples had been recruiting members with promises of power beyond thinking. Chaos had worked its way into the beliefs of the Alterrans and even corrupted Battle Captain Titus Corvus (known as the damned) of the 5th Company. What resulted was nearly two full companies Swords and one third of the Alterran populace staging a brutal attempt to destroy the Swords and all the Primarch Temples. The civil war lasted for nearly 6 months, which was enough time for Corvus to open a warp portal to allow a full scale invasion of Chaos demons to over run the planet. The Swords had no choice but to evacuate with the assistance of the Ultramarines and Imperial Fists they managed to escape and saved only about 20,000 of the 50 billion Alterrans. The conclave under orders of the Chapter Master declared the planet Exterminatus.

After the fall, the Swords declared an Eternal Crusade against the forces of Chaos, The Swords needed a new home and were provided an old Ramilles Class Star-fort from the local Imperial Navy who came to the aid of Alterra. It was retrofitted to the specific needs of the chapter and named Vengeance.

To rebuild there strength the Swords needed to start recruiting again and as they shared a close relationship with the Ecclesiarchy they began recruiting for shrine worlds around the sector all the time maintaining there Temples aboard Vengeance.

Chapter Organisation:

The Swords are very much a Codex Chapter except for one major difference, each marine comes from one of the Nine temples of Alterra. Each marine features the colour of there temple on there left kneepad. Each of the 9 battle captains are also masters of there chosen temple while the battle Captain of the 10th company also serves as the steward of the citadel which is now the central training area aboard Vengeance.

With each temple comes a diverse outlook to the ways of war, within each Company the battle brothers will be formed into squads based on the temple they come from, to use there specific skills in warfare. This makes the Swords brutally efficient in almost any situation.

Even though they Swords have such a diversified belief system they revere the Emperor above all in accordance with the Imperial cult and acknowledge the Saints of the Imperium.