The Accipiters.

[Ekim_Trub]

See post #9 for revised framework for Chapter.

[Ekim_Trub]

The theme I want to use for them is that they were founded with the clandestine task of seeking out technology lost during the Great Crusade/Horus Heresy, and preventing it falling into the wrong hands (e.g Chaos).

This idea stems from the Revilers being founded with a high number of Legion Veterans who, as a Chapter, will remember the secrets of the Imperium pre-Heresy, and as they seem to be following the goal of hunting down the Traitor Legions, I saw this it as plausible that their Successor would also be prone to hunting/attacking instead of defending. 
 

[Prefect Apollyon]

Good start.

 

Add in a history section and away you go.

[Lord-Captain Cepinari]

I think you hit it out of the ballpark on the "find a word so obscure there's no way in hell anyone could have used it first" method.

[Ekim_Trub]

Prefect Apollyon: The history section is proving troublesome, but I am working on it. 

Lord-Captain Cepinari: I presume you mean for the Chapter name, if so, it actually has been used. By Michael Perry of all people! But all he did was one painted Marine with no fluff behind it.

 

[Ekim_Trub]

Only managed a little work on this due to work and family commitments, but I have managed to create a framework for the original Chapter Master.

 

Cmdr. Abner Ventralis was a veteran of the Horus Heresy that began his life as an Astartes with the Raven Guard Legion where he survived the Dropsite Massacre, and was later promoted to Sgt. and transferred to the 'Hawks' Recon Company upon the Legions reorganisation.

 

At the end of the Heresy, he became a member of the Revilers Chapter when the Legions were broken down, serving with distinction and gaining promotion to Captain of a Battle Company. He was then chosen to lead a new Chapter that would be created as part of the Third Founding.

 

Ventralis was, as you would expect of a former Raven Guard who had served under Corax himself, a master of strategy and tactics as well as an expert marksman. As a result of his time as part of the 'Hawks', he became a specialist in the use of air assault tactics and the uses of gunships to perform surgical strikes, so when given the chance, he chose to make this a Chapter wide doctrine, knowing how effective it was first hand. He also taught his new charges the art of close range marksmanship, and how it was better to kill an enemy before he can reach your lines and with the least amount of shots to maximise battle efficiency.

[Prefect Apollyon]

A Marine that served during the Great Crusade, survived the Dropsite Massacre, was then placed in the Revilers during the 2nd Founding, and then a Millennia later is put into a new Chapter during the 3rd Founding? This would make him older then Dante is in the M41 by the time he joins your Chapter.  

 

Definitely not impossible, just not probable. How the hell was he not already leading the Revilers by that age?

[Ekim_Trub]

I meant to put he was elevated to full Brother status just prior to the Dropsite Massacre, and I also envisaged it to be more common for Marines to live longer lives back then.

[Ekim_Trub]

Hey guys, I have been thinking over my Chapter (again) and decided to make use of the Chapter Background Creation table found on-line, and with it's help I have firmly established the framework for them. I will try to expand upon this framework to create a complete Index Astartes for them, however, no matter how many times I have tried to do so- I just can't seem to get anything worth reading.

The revised framework is as below:

​Why was the Chapter founded: As a Crusade Force, tasked with retaking worlds lost to the Imperium and to help defend it's borders.
When was the Chapter founded: M.32/Third Founding.
Progenitor: The Raven Guard. (taken from the Revilers Chapter.)
Gene-seed Purity: A New Generation; although fiercely independent, the Chapter still maintains close relationships with the Raven Guard and the Revilers.
Chapter Demeanour: The Chapter has moved away from the heavy use of stealth and guerilla tactics their Progenitors are famous for, and instead favour the use of fast assaults and manoeuvre warfare. However, they still maintain the patience and tactical insight of their Primarch.
Gene-seed Deficiency: The Accipiters gene-seed bears all the same problems associated with that of the Raven Guard, however the mutation to their Melanchromic Organ has become more advanced with the skin and hair change only taking months to occur instead of years.
Chapter Flaws: We Stand Alone; The Accipiters are a very independent Chapter and rarely work alongside any other Organisation, although they seem to have developed a working relationship with the Explorator Fleets of the Adeptus Mechanicus and are frequently found performing escort duties for them.
Who are the Chapter's Heroes: The first Chapter Master, Cmdr. Abner Habrok.
Deed of Legend: He led the Chapter in the liberation of the Fenjal System from the the forces of Chaos, and then from glory to glory before dying in single combat against a Daemon Prince of Khorne.
What type of planet is the Chapter's Home World: N/a. The Accipiters are fleet-based, and are known to possess the Battle Barge, Rex Stellarum, and the Strike Cruiser, Bellator Lux.

How closely does the Chapter follow the Codex: They are a slightly divergent Chapter, with each of the Battle Companies permanently maintaining their own Veteran and Scout squads, allowing them to operate independently for longer.
Combat Doctrine: The Chapter favours manoeuvrability warfare and the use of air assault tactics, launching lightning assaults with gunship-borne infantry squads who bear down on the enemy and unleash a torrent of mid-range fire before re-deploying to attack the next target.
Special Equipment: Traditional weapons; They tend to favour boltgun based weaponry.
Chapter Beliefs: Revere the Primarch; As with most older Chapters, the Accipiters do not view the Emperor as a God, and instead have placed their hearts and faith in the memory of the Primarch. The Accipiter are also know to live in the belief that Corax will someday return to once again lead is sons in battle against the enemies of the Imperium.
What is the current status of the Chapter: Endangered; Currently less than 300 Marines after an arduous campaign to destroy Waaagh! Skullstompa.
Friends of the Chapter: The Adeptus Mechanicus. (Specifically the Magii Explorators.)
Enemies of the Chapter: The Chapter now reserve a particular hatred for the Orks, and utterly despise those Astartes who have forsaken their vows to the Emperor.

[JeffTibbetts]

They sound like Raven successors to me, man. Actually I searched for that generator and it's kind of cool. I like how it makes you think about some of the 'easier-to-overlook' stuff instead of how cool you can make them. 

[Veteran Sergeant]

The theme I want to use for them is that they were founded with the clandestine task of seeking out technology lost during the Great Crusade/Horus Heresy, and preventing it falling into the wrong hands (e.g Chaos).

One thing to keep in mind is that the Imperium lost its technology slowly over the course of ten thousand years in the various declines, wars of apostasy, etc. It isn't like the stuff just went *poof* right after the Heresy. A 3rd Founding Chapter was founded only a few hundred years after the end of the Scouring. At that point, there's probably not even been enough of a decline that anyone has noticed it yet.

[Ekim_Trub]

Yeah...at the time I found that idea of watching lost technology a good one and kind of through it out there without thinking.

 

That aspect will almost definitely be dropped.

 

The big problem I have is trying to expand this framework into a complete IA, as tbh, my writing ability is akin to a fish riding a bicycle. :(

[JeffTibbetts]

You know, if you don't mind some constructive criticism, helping you with your writing is exactly what we're here for, among other things. I'm a copywriter by profession, and many of the others on the board here are excellent writers. If you're not, nobody will judge you. We'll help you craft something that you can be proud of, man. No worries. 

 

If we didn't want to read roughs drafts, we wouldn't be trolling the Liber. A good concept and idea excites me almost as much as working on my own chapter, to be honest. 

[NightrawenII]

Want to lend a hand in creation of Chapter? Then forget all of this:

 

​Why was the Chapter founded: As a Crusade Force, tasked with retaking worlds lost to the Imperium and to help defend it's borders.
When was the Chapter founded: M.32/Third Founding.
Progenitor: The Raven Guard. (taken from the Revilers Chapter.)
Gene-seed Purity: A New Generation; although fiercely independent, the Chapter still maintains close relationships with the Raven Guard and the Revilers.
Chapter Demeanour: The Chapter has moved away from the heavy use of stealth and guerilla tactics their Progenitors are famous for, and instead favour the use of fast assaults and manoeuvre warfare. However, they still maintain the patience and tactical insight of their Primarch.
Gene-seed Deficiency: The Accipiters gene-seed bears all the same problems associated with that of the Raven Guard, however the mutation to their Melanchromic Organ has become more advanced with the skin and hair change only taking months to occur instead of years.
Chapter Flaws: We Stand Alone; The Accipiters are a very independent Chapter and rarely work alongside any other Organisation, although they seem to have developed a working relationship with the Explorator Fleets of the Adeptus Mechanicus and are frequently found performing escort duties for them. 
Who are the Chapter's Heroes: The first Chapter Master, Cmdr. Abner Habrok.
Deed of Legend: He led the Chapter in the liberation of the Fenjal System from the the forces of Chaos, and then from glory to glory before dying in single combat against a Daemon Prince of Khorne.
What type of planet is the Chapter's Home World: N/a. The Accipiters are fleet-based, and are known to possess the Battle Barge, Rex Stellarum, and the Strike Cruiser, Bellator Lux.

How closely does the Chapter follow the Codex: They are a slightly divergent Chapter, with each of the Battle Companies permanently maintaining their own Veteran and Scout squads, allowing them to operate independently for longer.
Combat Doctrine: The Chapter favours manoeuvrability warfare and the use of air assault tactics, launching lightning assaults with gunship-borne infantry squads who bear down on the enemy and unleash a torrent of mid-range fire before re-deploying to attack the next target.
Special Equipment: Traditional weapons; They tend to favour boltgun based weaponry. 
Chapter Beliefs: Revere the Primarch; As with most older Chapters, the Accipiters do not view the Emperor as a God, and instead have placed their hearts and faith in the memory of the Primarch. The Accipiter are also know to live in the belief that Corax will someday return to once again lead is sons in battle against the enemies of the Imperium.
What is the current status of the Chapter: Endangered; Currently less than 300 Marines after an arduous campaign to destroy Waaagh! Skullstompa.
Friends of the Chapter: The Adeptus Mechanicus. (Specifically the Magii Explorators.)
Enemies of the Chapter: The Chapter now reserve a particular hatred for the Orks, and utterly despise those Astartes who have forsaken their vows to the Emperor.

 

... and tell me 'Who are the Accipiters?' in one sentence.

 

 

~ NightrawenII

[Ekim_Trub]

"A fleet-based successor chapter of the Raven Guard, the Accipiters have eschewed the use of guerilla warfare & stealth tactics that the sons of Corax are renowned for, instead opting to specialise in manoeuvre warfare & air assault tactics."

 

That was actually quite hard to sum them up in a single sentence.

[Disruptor_fe404]

... and tell me 'Who are the Accipiters?' in one sentence.

 

Actually a really good exercise, and one that I'm taking to heart (since I likely couldn't describe my own Chapter in a single sentence).

[NightrawenII]

You have fallen into my trap!

"A fleet-based successor chapter of the Raven Guard... "

This start is all good and fine, but such classification cannot be applied to Accipiters exclusively, thereby it's invalid.

" ... the Accipiters have eschewed the use of guerilla warfare & stealth tactics that the sons of Corax are renowned for, instead opting to specialise in manoeuvre warfare & air assault tactics."

You seems to not understand the question, I'm not asking "What are the Accipiters doing?" but "Who are the Accipiters?".

Once. Again. Young. Padawan.

~ NightrawenII

[Ekim_Trub]

You know, that is a phenomenal question, as I don't know! I had never really gave it any thought from that perspective. Hmmm......

[Ekim_Trub]

"The Accipiters are pragmatic, intellectual & highly disciplined with a strong sense of duty, which results in them fighting with an almost clinical detachment, constantly analysing & seeking for the enemy's weakness, choosing their fights & withdrawing when an encounter does not serve their purpose."

 

I think this is what you are looking for in regards of who they are over what?

[NightrawenII]

I think this is what you are looking for in regards of who they are over what?

Well, you did it half-right, because this:

"... which results in them fighting with an almost clinical detachment, constantly analysing & seeking for the enemy's weakness, choosing their fights & withdrawing when an encounter does not serve their purpose."

Is yet again description of what is the Chapter doing - IMO, you are too obsessed with combat doctrine, think more about the reasons and motivation behind their struggle.

 

"The Accipiters are pragmatic, intellectual & highly disciplined with a strong sense of duty... "

Nevertheless, this should be enough. Let's see:

pragmatic - means they will evaluate things with only one criterion; practical applicability. While nice, it would make them more flexible in terms of morality. Now, it depends how die-hard pragmatists they are; they could easily embark upon the path of Marines Malevolent or even Relictors.

intellectual - "rational rather than emotional" and "given to activities or pursuits that require exercise of the intellect". This will result in chapter with impassive and aloof demeanor, bent on pursuit of knowledge, often contemplating various riddles and koans. It could warrant evolution of chaplains into more 'warrior-sage' role, something akin to the Death-Speakers of Executioners Chapter.

disciplined - discipline is "activity, exercise, or a regimen that develops or improves strength or self-control". Basically, not only the Chapter encourages the aforementioned behaviour, but it actively seeks and enforces such order.

"strong sense of duty" - All Space Marines have strong sense of duty and it's the nature of duty what matters here.

 

 

~ NightrawenII

[Ekim_Trub]

I have a piece that I borrowed and adapted from another Forum from a long time ago which sums up perfectly the way I see the Chapter.

 

The Accipiters are known for several things. They're pragmatic and intellectual. They're tactically adept, and are predisposed to avoid casualties, more-so than most other chapters. They're also highly disciplined, and have a strong sense of duty. They fight with an almost clinical detachment, always analysing and seeking the opponents weakness, choosing their fights and withdrawing when an encounter does not serve their purposes. But they also have something of a darker side, and it comes in a couple of forms.

 

Accipiters have a tendency to brood. Their strong sense of duty leads them to take their failures on in a personal way. You see this in the way Corax is said to have purged the abominations himself, and the way he feels he has let the Emperor down after Isstvaan. This brooding has the potential to lead an Accipiter Captain down a very dangerous path, into heresy or depression, or perhaps worse, into making riskier and riskier decisions.

 

It is this dark aspect that the Chaplains protect against. They remind a Captain that he has more than one duty. He has a duty to the men of his Company, to care for them, and to never spend their lives uselessly or needlessly. He has a duty to the Imperium, and it's citizens, to protect them, to ensure their safety, and their freedom. The Chaplain helps the Captain to balance those duties, and to use them both as levers to prevent that darker side of the Accipiter nature from moving to the fore. When a Captain starts taking more dangerous risks, the Chaplain reminds him of his duty to his men. When a Captain slips into a despondent state, having failed to achieve an objective, and thereby having to watch the destruction of a world, or even a sector, the Chaplain reminds him that, even though those worlds have fallen, there are more citizens in the next sector, and they, too, are relying on that Captain to keep them safe, even if they don't know it, and to spur him back into action before it is too late.

 

The Chaplain serves a similar function to the men of the Company, as well, reminding them of their duty to serve to their utmost, even unto death, on behalf of the citizens of the Imperium, ensuring that individual marines don't spend too much time brooding over their personal failures, as well as keeping an eye out for those taking heavy risks they don't need to take.

 

The Librarian, on the other hand, is the keeper of many secrets. They are Intelligence Officers of a sort, but not in the usual sense. The Accipiters, like the Raven Guard, know many secrets of the Imperium. Where other Chapters, even from the First Founding, have forgotten much of the technology from the days of the Crusade, the Accipiters remember, and they watch, especially for those lost things that could be dangerous in the hands of Chaos. It is the Librarians who cull and curate this ancient knowledge, and who piece together clues from what they see from mission to mission, with fragments of knowledge, to realize when there exists a threat, and to raise it to the attention of their Captain to be dealt with.

 

Both of these positions deal with knowledge, and with analysng the facts at hand. However, where the Captain turns his analytical skill towards the prosecution of battle and the defeat of the enemy, these two have a different focus in front of them. The Chaplain's focus is the Company itself, watching for marines gone astray from their duty in any way. The Librarian's is outward, following the information, and piecing intelligence reports together with the vast knowledge of the Chapter to identify threats and risks. This split of focus is complementary, and, like so many other things about the Accipiters, requires discipline and focus on the part of all three officers.

 

This is linked, as well, to the autonomous nature of the Accipiters Companies. A Captain is given a longer leash in the Accipiters, because they have this complementary analysis going on, their own discipline backed up by that of two other officers, at all times, and the threats they face are in many cases beyond what even other Astartes go up against, because only the Accipiters, and their primogenitor; the Raven Guard, know the secrets of things like the Bloodtide.