IA - Vagus Knights

[RossTiger]

The Vagus Knights

http://s24.postimg.org/7p1hv5d2t/Vagus_Knights.jpg

Origins

The Vagus* Knights were part of the 3rd Founding, a few of the early High Lord of Terra were concerned about the rise of the Ecclesiarchy and the potential for technological regression within the Imperiuim, therefore the Vagus Knights were created to wander the stars, collecting and preserving whatever technology they could, with the hope of preventing a dark future.

Soon after however, around the year 200.M32, the fears of those High Lords came true and the Ecclesiarchy came to power, quickly emplanting themselves within the Council of Terra and spreading their religion through the Imperium. It wasn't long before the official state religion of the Imperium was declared and the rate of technological regression increased exponentially. The Vagus Knights, ever the wanderers, quickly found themselves with less and less support from Terra, and
instead drew further and further into themselves, becoming ever more reclusive.

From that point on sightings of the Vagus Knights become very rare, to the point where few believed they still existed. The next time anyone could confirm their continued existantance was during the Damocles Crusade, where they assisted the Iron Hands forces during the crusade against the Tau Empire. During this engagement they were said to of kept very much to themselves, and were especially prickly toward the Imperial Armies whenever the subject of the “God-Emperor” came up. They were more open with their fellow Astartes, especially the Iron hands, but still kept their distance. There were many, mostly within the Imperial Armies, who grew suspicious of this reclusive chapter, however following the conclusion of the crusade, the Vagus Knights soon departed the system before any further enquiries could be carried out by the Inquisition.

Since then there have been several siting of the Vagus Knights all across the Spiral Arm, however the majority of them have been on the borders of Tau space, causing suspicions to be nurtured and for many to start believing that the Vagus Knights were at the least communicating with the Tau, and at the most consorting with them. For those who have access to records of their original objectives, this does not come as a complete surprise, given the Tau’s level of technology, although many question the potential for heresy in such actions. Certainly the Inquisition would like to question them further, however that is a task much easier said than done.

*Vagus is Latin for “wandering”.

Home World

The chapter is purely fleet based due to their wandering nature and their constant search for technology. They are not especially active when it comes to recruitment, as due to their wandering nature they tend to get involved in fewer conflicts that most chapters so therefore do not need new recruits as often. That said, there have been times when they have become involved in ongoing conflicts, or a particular piece of technology has caused them to engage a large amount of their forces. In these instances the amount of time before the Knights are typically seen again is longer, as they recruit from various worlds through the spiral arms, never returning to the same one too often.

Their chapter fleet consists of three battle barges, ten strike cruisers and numerous support craft. These ships have been in service a long time, however due to their cautious nature and their technological prowess, they have been able to keep them well maintained and battle ready. While the second two battles barges are formidable opponents, each containing a great forge for the building and maintaining of various pieces of technology, the flagship, the “Artificer”, also contains a second great forge, along with enhanced shields, expanded vehicle bays and the chapters technological centre. A great many pieces of wondrous and perhaps forbidden technology are said to be stored within its vaults, however only ranking Techmarines and the Master of the Forge are allowed within.

Combat Doctrine

The Vagus Knights favour technology and machine in all things, however their reclusive existence prevents them from attaining large amount of vehicles, only being able to use what they were given in ages past, what has been scavenged and repaired, or what has been built by their own hand. Their preferred tactics involve armoured assault with Dreadnaughts, using them to deal out damage and soak up the fire while the rest of their marines can move up. The mighty dreadnoughts are inspiring to the Astartes of the Vagus Knights, spurring Marines on to greater heroic acts.

Also, due partly to their dealings with the Tau Empire, the Knights have come to respect and use large amounts of long range weaponry to cover the advances of their army. It is even rumoured that Tau allies have appeared alongside them in far off battleground, but this is unproven.

Organisation

The Vagus Knights chapter consists of around 1000 Space Marines and is divided into the standard 10 companies, however unlike a regular chapter, the Knights are led by a Master of the Forge instead of a regular Chapter Master. The Master of the Forge is not only a scientist and Techmarine of unsurpassed skill, but also a mighty warrior without equal within the chapter. Also, while each Company is led by a Captain, there are no Chaplains within the company command staff, or the chapter as a whole. In their place are high ranking Techmarines as the chapter values technology above any sort of religion or spiritual belief, these Techmarines also command all the Techmarines in the Company below them, providing them with guidance and instruction. Command Techmarines also have access to the Technological Centre aboard the “Artificer”, where they often work with the Master of the Forge in researching or maintaining new and old technologies.

Beliefs

The beliefs of the Vagus Knights are in many ways very simple, they believe in science and technology above all else, just as the Emperor did in ages past. Their never ending quest to acquire technology in order to save the Imperium of Man drives them heart and soul, there is no room for doubt or religious faith, only logic prevails.

They are often unkind to those who would worship the Emperor as a god, as they believe he would be disgusted by their praise. The Emperor never claimed to be a god, in fact quite the opposite, and to go against the word of the Emperor tempt the forces of Chaos. The Vagus Knights have no time for religious fools, claiming that they will lead humanity to its doom.

Gene-Seed

The Vagus Knights are proud successors to the gene-seed of the Iron Hands, having been created in the 3^rd Founding they are direct successors. This gene-seed was chosen by the High Lords of Terra at the time of their founding because one of its traits is a love of technology and machines, and while their remorselessness wasn’t transferred over into the Vagus Knights as strongly, the obsession with technology was. This is thought to be one of the reasons they hold dreadnoughts in such high regard, they are flesh made strong, a life beyond death through the wonders of technology.

Battle Cry

By the Forge!

Notable Members

Master of the Forge Tythrone

N.B My first attempt at an IA since returning to the hobby after several years, any and all guidance is welcome

[Kristoff]

I know you gave the definition of "vagus", but it's still being pronounced as "Vegas" in my head, which makes the armor color a little ironic in it's lack of neon coloring.

[RossTiger]

haha a fair point. Not sure there is much I can do other than add a small note on the pronunciation....or make them disco :)

The name is really what I built this chapter on, I was in a first aid seminar and they mentioned the Vagus Nerve, the Wandering Nerve. So I thought....Vagus Knights...nice name....but why do they wander? And it built from there.

[Lord-Captain Cepinari]

"Yeah, so we're, like, the Knights of Vagus, and we're totally about something, like, involving machines, and junk."