IA: The Radiant Light (First Draft)

[Arthanor]

So.. the forum ate my first edit, I will try to keep this intro brief. This is a chapter I have been thinking about a lot recently. They are to become my second marine force, to be fielded alongside my BT and joined by inquisition forces (I don't want psyker inquisitors joining and blessing my BTs!).

They are intended to be "friendly", to explain their presence alongside the others, and also offer me a bit of versatility where I can field them as IF allies or, using the BT tactic, as part of my BT primary detachment (since chapters with the same CT are considered the same force as per the codex).

Without further delay, I hope you enjoy it! This is the work of a day, so may be rough in places. C&C are welcome!

Chapter name: Radiant Light

1 - Origins:

1.1 - The coming of the Light:

M41, darkness is at the gates. The Imperium is threatened on all sides. In 738.M41, the High Lords of Terra declare the 26th founding. In this direst of times since the heresy, portents are strong. The Mentor Legion takes up the mantle of the defunct Star Scorpions, wearing their colors and chapter number. Alongside them, the Emperor’s Tarot calls for the creation of a new chapter from the geneseed of Rogal Dorn.

Omens pertaining to this new brotherhood all shared one common trait, bright light spreading from a point, which ends up blinding the diviner. Some recover after days, other take weeks, the weakest minds never fully heal, unable to cope with the strength of what they saw. All agreed on the creation of the chapter and the name to be given: The Radiant Light. Beyond that, interpretation of the details differ significantly between factions, each seeing the coming fulfilment of their own needs, wants and expectations.

All kept their hopes secret from the others but fully supported the creation of the chapter. Some saw the light as the spreading of peace from Terra, in real space or the warp. The Ecclesiarchy believed in the arrival of strong proponents of the Imperial Creed, spreading the enlightening faith in the God-Emperor to the darkest reaches of the Galaxy. To the Mechanicum, the light was a representation of knowledge to be gained, through collaboration or manipulation depending on the tendency of the Adept. The Inquisition saw the coming of warriors to join them in the purge of darkness within and without.

In any one of these, there was a kernel of truth. Of all factions, amalathians inquisitors would be most satisfied with the new chapter. The Mechanicum, however, would be sorely disappointed and the Ecclesiarchy all but tricked into contentment.

1.2 - Bending Light:

Upon their recruitment, neophytes of the Radiant Light were trained by two combat squads of veteran Imperial Fists; sternguards with their sergeant and vanguards with their squad leader. All looked up to the Chapter Master and First Captain, formerly the leaders of the sternguard and vanguard, respectively. As a result, the brotherly competition present between their officers soon could be observed in all brothers of the Radiant Light.

Even more important to the fledgling chapter, the Imperial Fists were well respected and versed in the politics of the wide Imperium, able to handle the flood of requests of assistance or offers of support coming from all the factions hoping to obtain in the space marines of the Radiant Light the muscle needed to further their agendas.

A true diplomat, the Chapter Master allowed blessings by the Ecclesiarchy during a solemn ceremony, carefully avoiding conflicts of faith, and lent support to their priests in their war against heresy. Through these engagements, the first contacts were also established with the Inquisition and other chapters of the Adeptus Astartes. With each encounter, the Radiant Light bent to meet expectations, always molding itself to what others expected.

1.3 - Illumination:

While the senior officers lead the new initiates in their first serious engagements, wounded veterans of the the Imperial Fists and Black Templars from the Nimbosa Crusade joined the chapter to train the increasing numbers of the Radiant Light recruits. The influence of this new group of tutors further refined the prefered fighting styles of the marines.

In their young history, the Radiant Light has tended to remain close to those illustrious chapters with which it has the closest ties. Notable deployments include the reclamation of the Tyros Gulf in 830.M41 and the Crusade of Wrath in 888.M41, during which the Radiant Light first experienced large scale conflicts as it provided supporting element to its mentor chapters.

The chapter has since remained in the Maelstrom area where is is involved mostly in minor engagements against raiding parties. During the Badab War, the safer nature of the escort duties given to them as a young chapter allowed them to suffer relatively few losses but also offered few opportunities for glory. In the closing of the millenium, the Radiant Light is now collaborating with Inquisition elements and Black Templars of the Laurentia Crusade to go on the offensive.

2 - Homeworld:

The Radiant Light follows the example of worthy successors of Dorn’s geneseed. They are a fleet based chapter, highly mobile and relentlessly harrowing the foes of Mankind in the vicinity of the Maelstrom. They do hope, however, to amass enough honors to one day be granted a homeworld, much like the Crimson Fists before them. They have volunteered to protect imperial assets in the area, accumulating favors and influence to eventually position themselves at the center of a potential successor to the Maelstrom Wardens.

Their fleet based nature has allowed the Radiant Light to remain flexible and recruit from many worlds neighbouring the Maelstrom as they patrol its borders. With an influx of natives from different worlds of the region, they manage to send delegations made from the marines of close relation to the worlds they visit, maintaining warm contact with locals and the impression of being tied closely to many a system despite their long ranging nature.

3 - Combat Doctrine:

The competing influence of vanguard and sternguard veteran marines played on the chapter during its inception. This was amplified by the Black Templars who later joined them and now the Radiant Light is often polarized when it comes to fighting styles. Many have either a strong preference for close combat or of medium to long range firefights and will excel at it. Within the chapter, they are known as the fore- and aft-brothers, in reference to the quarters they occupy within their starships, the more assault oriented brothers staying closer to boarding torpedoes at the front.

Under the guidance of their most seasoned veterans and officers, brothers of the Radiant Light fight with strict discipline, firing coordinated bolter volleys with the support of accurate heavy weapons exploiting known weaknesses in enemy armor. However, away from the chapter leaders, it is common for the hot-headed marines to take the lead over their even-tempered brethren.

This dual preference in fighting style has generally served the chapter well. When allying with other forces, the Radiant Light tends to put forward their most different and complementary fighting styles. As such, they fought in close quarter alongside the Imperial Fists and offered ranged support to their Black Templars allies.

A key example is the battle for hive Kozren, where the Radiant Light fought alongside Black Templars of the Laurentia Crusade against turned planetary guards and Word Bearers. The renegade forces were using open plaza and large avenues as killing grounds against the short ranged Black Templars. Their heavy support composed of dreadnought, predator and land raider tanks were having difficulty maneuvering in the dense urban environment and pushing through anti-armor coming from hidden infantry.

Deploying in support, the Radiant Light tactical squads fought through the spires, cleansing them floor by floor of enemy presence and allowing their devastator brethren to take position inside. They provided numerous infantry based heavy weapons to cover Black Templar advances from atop spires. Suppressing fire from heavy bolters tied enemy cultists while lascannon punched through walls and tank alike. Crusader squads could then advance and deploy their own weapons on the ground, while other initiates charged forward, shredding cultists pinned behind cover with their bolt pistol and chainswords.

When fighting on their own, a rare occasion for the relatively young chapter bent on allying with others, the different elements will support each others, creating a formidable fighting force. They are able to efficiently gain ground and hold it, or fiercely defend a position and sally forth in response to focused attack or to break encircling lines. This is not always successful, however. During the Badab War, the Strike Cruiser Sol Ray was almost lost after the failure of vox-systems during an attack by the Executioners. Fore-brothers mounted a counterattack against enemy boarding marines, only to find themselves isolated in a section of the ship held by the enemy when the aft brothers held their ground in a bottle-neck instead of following them. Thankfully, reinforcements soon forced the enemy to withdraw and the ship remained in the hands of the Radiant Light.

4 - Organization:

The Radiant Light maintains a strictly codex organization in all appearances. The chapter is indeed organized in ten companies, with veteran, battle and reserve companies. They do, however, differ from traditional chapters in the details. Much like codex chapter, a newly initiated marine will go through reserve companies and learn the subtleties of close and ranged combat. Upon promotion to a battle company, the initiate will join either the fore- or aft-brothers, depending on his preferences and abilities. There ends the similitude between his training and that of a codex adherent marine.

Within battle companies, the most experienced marines will form the assault and devastator squads while the newcomers make up the tactical squads, up to 4 of which can be composed of fore-brothers deployed as despoiler or boarding squads.

Titles within the Radiant Light also differ from their codex equivalent in the following way:

Chapter Master: Radiant One

Captain: Lightbringer

Chaplain: Lightbearer

Librarian: Beacon

5 - Beliefs:

Despites the hopes of the Ecclesiarchy, the chapter follows the Imperial Truth, much like most other space marines. However, due to the bending of the Radiant Light to meet expectations, a deviation has developed within the chapter creed. Members of the Radiant Light believe that the grandfather of angels may well be a god to Men. As such, the marines have high tolerance to humans following the Imperial Creed and work very well with even the most faithful elements of the Imperium. They have themselves developed rites that verge on the religious.

Relations are strenuous at best with the Mechanicum. Their faith in the Machine God instead of the Emperor himself and the restriction of the use of technology by the wider imperium, remaining unfathomable to the marines. To this day, the Radiant Light is very open to the sharing of knowledge with all other imperial factions, ahead of the Mechanicum, a kind of compensation to others for the Adeptus Mechanicus’ hoarding character.

Diplomacy and the ability to work alongside other elements of the Imperium are indeed seen very favorably within the Radiant Light. Upon reaching the rank of sergeant, further promotion hinges on the ability of the marine to grasp tactics and strategies applied to war as much as to imperial diplomacy and politics.

6 - Geneseed:

Space Marines of the Radiant Light descend from the Imperial Fist and were originally trained by a small cadre of their veterans. They share their founding chapter’s harsh views on failure, seeing defeat in battle or botched negotiations as just cause for recrimination and dishonor. As the envoys of the Emperor himself, no deficiency is acceptable for the Radiant Light

7 - Battle Cry:

Upon first contact with the enemy, the Radiant Light will let loose their warcry, a chilling expression of their unwavering belief in the role set for them.

Chaplain or commanding officer: We are the Emperor’s Light.

Marines: We banish darkness and shatter the enemies of Mankind!

[Lord-Captain Cepinari]

It could just be a case of sudden-onset psychosis, but the overall impression I got from your IA was:

 

Saltine Cracker.

 

Overall, a very bland and whitewashed chapter.

[Aegnor]

There is plenty of stuff here to like, but a couple of comments/questions.

 

- They walk the line of Mary Sue-ism a few times, without quite falling over that line. The bit about them being the subject of prophecy that sees all the major factions of the Imperium looking to them so hopefully seems a little over the top. Maybe rather than the Institutions as a whole taking an interest in them, it could be particular senior members from each faction. ADB does a nice bit on how the Inquisition as an institution doesn't actually exist - its just a collection of individuals each vested with power outside of normal lines of command and following their own agenda. Equally, the Mechanicum seems to have plenty of members who all follow their own interests to a degree. Same thing with the Ecclesiarchy as well. The difference between saying a particular Inquisitor Lord, a Cardinal in the church and a senior magos take an interest in your boys, rather than the institutions as a whole is huge. One suggests the Radiant Light is of galaxy shaking importance, the other is much more likely (and still special snowflakey enough).

- them bailing out the BTs was a little over the top as well. My impression and understanding of the BT is that they aren't frothing beserkers to let themselves be drawn into a no-win meat grinder. By all means have your guys ride to the rescue and impress them with their skills, but maybe have the BTs troubles stem from more than an inability to adjust tactics.

 

Just my 2 cents. I like the start you've made and will keep reading.

[Arthanor]

@Cepinari: Well, I guess it goes to show that tastes vary quite a bit. I'm not sure what more to reply, really. The overarching theme for the chapter is expectations and how they shape the chapter: not in one particular way but instead making it adept at pretending to meet them.

 

Like the chapter's dealings with recruiting worlds emphasizing their bonds when they only extend to a few marines or with the Ecclesiarchy where they appear to be faithful but in fact are looking down on humans and understand their faith as a consequence of their weakness. To an ant, humans may be gods but only because the ant is so small. The Emperor is no god but humans are so weak it's ok that they see him as one. Surely not how the Ecclesiarchy wants to be seen.

 

I guess being bland at least means it fits the space marines mold well, if a bit too much. If you have ideas for extra seasoning, I'm all ears.

 

@Aegnor: Thanks! That's a bit more to work with ;) MarySue-ism is a line I hope not to cross! In fact, even snowflake is a bit more than I'd like. It's a fine balance between that and blandness I guess!

 

As I said above, the idea revolves around expectations. If the Radiant Light were too meet them all, it would be ridiculous. Instead, the chapter blinds the institutions to its not meeting them.

 

The beginning is to set expectations up and about how all factions wanted something different from the Radiant Light, partly because of the vagueness of the portents, partly due to how a good fortune teller can say what any one client wants to hear through educated guesses instead of foresight. I will try to rework it so it is clearer and tone it done a bit too, especially when it comes to institutions. Maybe backing by elements of each institution instead of by the institutions themselves.

 

The "foreseeing of the messiah" vibe is intended though, to be balanced by the superficial way in which they meet expectations. What I hope to do is highlight how there are too many needs in the 41st millennium imperium for a chapter to address any more than temporarily, even within a given area. Inverse Ultramarines who sometimes seem to solve every problems everywhere.

 

As for the battle, it does sound a bit weird and I think it is because it evolved into a two step event when I wasn't thinking it that way originally. It is supposed to have the Radiant Light providing valuable support that is otherwise not present (much) in their allies, not saving the day. Trust the liber to have a rational outlook on BTs when our forum rages at the mention of devastator (or even tactical!) squads!

[Prefect Apollyon]

As already stated, having many of the major Imperial factions looking to them to save the Imperium is borderline Mary-Sue. Toning this down a bit will help add to the believability of the Chapter.

 

A Chapter that has poor ties with the Mechanicum will suffer consequences. Blood Angels get away with it because they are a First Founding with great history, your Chapter is a relative nobody from the 26th Founding. They are in charge of collecting Gene-Seed to monitor your Chapters genetic health and maintenance of all the Chapters equipment. Remember this when writing your fluff. 

[Arthanor]

I never expected that part to be so contentious. Don't all chapters get the backing of all factions for their creations? Or do the High Lords take a vote and majority wins? ;) some thinking to go there for sure.

 

As for the mechanicum, there are only a few hundred years of history, probably about one of which is spent building up. Relations can't have gotten that bad, but at the same time, there isn't much time for consequences either. I'm not saying it is a good idea to not treat the mechanicum well, but surviving deteriorating relations for a century or two is nothing compared to the Blood Angels. I will expand on it so hopefully it is more nuanced.

[Prefect Apollyon]

The High Lords are the ones that sanction the Foundings, that part is fine. It's the rest of the origins section that is borderline Mary Sue. You can keep the part regarding the Emperor's Tarot, that the Gene-Seed must be from Dorn and why this is the case remains a mystery. It's just the rest is basically making them out to be the young Harry Potter (insert any other young fantasy Mary Sue) of the Imperium, with everyone expecting them to save the Galaxy. The Mary Sue'ness is amplified by their "Diplomat-Sargent's," giving off the impression that these guys are one of the few sources of reason in a Grimdark galaxy.

 

I know this is a draft, I just wanted to point the Mechanicum point out so you address that issue when you expand on what you've got.

 

Basically, amp up the Grimdark, lessen the snowflake. Not a bad start though, my first draft was much worse.

[Arthanor]

Ah! I see what you mean. I hate the comparison with Harry Potter (not a fan!), but it does bring the point across rather well.

I was thinking that the wide array of expectations could be perceived as more self-delusion by others than saying anything about the chapter itself. Everyone is hoping for something different, therefore it is impossible to happen and all goes through only because they don't talk with each others. I am rewriting that part as we speak, adding a focus on (non-descript) individuals around the Maelstrom instead of whole institutions of the Imperium at large.

I will look into the diplomacy aspect as well, to shift it from being actual diplomats to "playing the politics" of the imperium.

So much to change! Thanks for the kind words though

[Arthanor]

Alright! Rewrite number one:

 

The coming of the Light:

M41, darkness is at the gates. The Imperium is threatened on all sides. In 738.M41, the High Lords of Terra declared the 26th founding. In this direst of times since the heresy, portents are strong. The Mentor Legion takes up the mantle of the defunct Star Scorpions, wearing their colors and chapter number. Alongside them, the Emperor’s Tarot called for the creation of a new chapter from the geneseed of Rogal Dorn.

 

Readings were particularly strong for diviners around the Maelstrom. Omens pertaining to this new brotherhood all shared one common trait, bright light spreading from a point, which ended up blinding the diviner. Some recovered after days, other took weeks. The weakest minds never fully healed, unable to cope with the strength of what they saw. All seers agreed on the name to be given to the new chapter: The Radiant Light. There ended the similarities however. Beyond that, details differed significantly between individuals, each one flavoring their interpretation with their own needs, wants and expectations and hoping for their coming fulfilment. Had communications been more open, these hopes would have been tempered before the first marine ever wore the colors of the Radiant Light.

 

Some saw the light as the progression of peace. Others believed in the arrival of strong proponents of the Imperial Creed, spreading the enlightening faith in the God-Emperor to the darkest reaches of space. The light was seen as a representation of the finding of knowledge. A few psychically proficient inquisitors or associates saw the coming of warriors to join them in the purge of darkness within and without. All kept their hopes to themselves and, through the inner workings of their institution, garnered support for the chapter.

 

In any one of these predictions, there was a kernel of truth. Of all imperial philosophies, amalathians would be closest with the new chapter. The Mechanicum, however, would be sorely disappointed and the Ecclesiarchy all but tricked into contentment.

[Arthanor]

And the battle:

 

A key example is the battle for hive Kozren, where the Radiant Light fought alongside Black Templars of the Laurentia Crusade against turned planetary guards and Word Bearers. Alongside the mechanized elements the Black Templars deployed on the ground, the Radiant Light fought through the spires, cleansing them of enemy presence and allowing the heavy weapons of the aft-brothers to take position inside. Suppressing fire from heavy bolters tied enemy cultists while lascannon punched through walls and tanks. Black Templar crusader squads and armor on the ground advanced under the covering fire, bringing their own weapons to bear. Initiates charged forward, shredding cultists pinned behind cover with their bolt pistol and chainswords. The combination of the different resources from both chapters achieved swift victory.

 

(The idea being that the Radiant Light supplements the usually mechanized heavy weapons and close-combat oriented Templars with their infantry firepower. This works with my current forces as well as the general dislike of BT players for devastators.)

 

Slight changes to the homeworld section:

 

Their fleet based nature has allowed the chapter to remain flexible and recruit from many worlds neighbouring the Maelstrom as they patrol its borders. With an influx of natives from different worlds of the region, they can send delegations made from the few marines of close relation to the worlds they visit. The Radiant Light thus maintains warm contact with locals and the impression of being tied closely to many a system, keeping them blind to the shallowness of the actual link due to their long ranging nature.

 

 

New beliefs section:

 

Despites the hopes of the Ecclesiarchy, the chapter follows the Imperial Truth, much like most other space marines. However, due to the bending of the Radiant Light to meet expectations, a deviation has developed within the chapter creed. Members of the Radiant Light believe that the grandfather of angels may well be a god to Men. As such, the marines have a high tolerance to humans following the Imperial Creed and work very well with even the most faithful elements of the Imperium, if only because they consider that worship of the Emperor as a god is understandable for such weak beings. Paradoxically, this thinking of themselves as angels has modified rites so that they now verge on the religious.

 

Of all imperial institutions, only with the Mechanicum are relations degrading. The faith of post-humans in higher powers, especially the Machine God instead of the Emperor himself, remains unfathomable to the marines. More importantly, the restrictions on the use and understanding of technology by the wider imperium, as imposed by the Adeptus Mechanicus, also remains a problem to this day. To a chapter bent on maintaining collaboration with other institutions, this situation is cause for thoughts.

 

In the closing years of the Millenium, resources from the founding are dwindling and consequences starting to be felt. The pressure put on their assets has made the issue one of priority for the chapter. Two factions are forming, one advocates the reclamation of renegade material to distance themselves for an institution with such a different outlook on imperial relations, while the other pushes for increased cordiality on their part, if only superficially.

 

Diplomacy and the ability to avoid conflicts with other elements of the Imperium are seen very favorably within the Radiant Light. Since its inception, the chapter has dealt with many requests, offers and demands from officials of various institutions. Knowing how to handle each encounter to maximize gains or minimize negative impacts on the chapter is a very valuable skill for the fledgling chapter intent on reaching high. Often, the outcome will revolve much more around managing the meeting than anything the already stretched resources of the chapter can accomplish. Therefore, promotion to the higher ranks of the chapter hinges on the ability of the marine to play imperial politics to the chapter’s advantage as much as tactical and strategic acumen.