Successor chapter of the Ultramarines, WIP

[ShasVa]

This is a work in progress, so keep that in mind when commenting please.

 

• Name: White Lights
• Colours: White (little bit of black here and there)
• Gene-Seed: Ultramarines
• Origin Date: M38
• Strength: Maximum
• Strategy: Codex Chapter

[Homeworld]

The homeworld of the White Lights is called Shatarah. It possesses a geography and atmosphere similar to that of Terra back in the ancient past. The chapter makes its home on the planet's highest mountain, and built their fortress - the Aldor Spire, on its peak.

 

[Organisation]

The White Lights are a Codex chapter, however they do have one notable deviation.

 

Due to an undisclosed incident in their past (I haven't figured that part out yet), they do not use Librarians. The only Psykers the chapter has are its Navigators for long-distance space travel. All potential recruits have their psychic potential atrophied to zero, regardless of that potential's original degree. They accomplish this by introducing a liquefied substance into the recruit's blood (believed by some to be phase-iron, a relic from the DAoT). The result is a battle-brother who, unlike a true Blank, still has a soul, but the presence of it is so small that only extremely powerful Psykers or Daemons could pick up on it.

 

In lieu of Librarians, the White Lights use "Guardians". These battle-brothers can be described as "Psyker-Hunters", for they possess a will of iron, and are trained specifically to fight Psykers (and to a lesser extent, daemons).

 

Their main source of recruits come from Shatarah's neighboring planet, Terroka. This planet is highly militarized and ordered, and only the best male children are selected to be recruits. Terroka also has a strong Imperial Guard presence, as well as PDF and Arbites forces, for secondary defenses.

 

[beliefs]

The White Lights venerate the Emperor as he was - a human man, but an exceptionally powerful and wise leader of his race. They believe that zealous worship of him is distasteful and offensive. They flatly refuse to work with such people or Imperial bodies, like the Echlessiarchy, viewing their religious habits as wasteful and unproductive when compared to actually protecting the Emperor's people from harm.

 

The chapter treats their Serfs and Imperial citizens much like their progenitor's brother chapter, the Salamanders. However unlike the XVIII legion, they do not live with the people they protect. When a recruit becomes a full-fledged battle-brother, his past identity is erased - a further precaution against betrayal, temptation, and corruption.

 

If the chapter has to work with certain xenos races against a common foe, they will do so reluctantly; the chapter is aware of mankind's past history with alleged alien allies. Even so, once the common foe has been defeated or destroyed, the White Lights do not go back on their temporary-truces. Rather, they simply leave the area. If they are betrayed by their one-time allies, the chapter will descend upon them with unadulterated fury.

 

[Technology]

The chapter has ties with the Adeptus Mechanicus, something which might be unusual for a descendant of the Ultramarines. Nevertheless, this alliance has bore much fruit for the White Lights. They have an arsenal larger than most, and have volunteered battle-brothers to accompany Mechanicus exploratory fleets. In exchange, the chapter is allowed by the AdMech to field-test new discoveries. The chapter's Guardians have been permitted use of Condemnor Boltguns in their fights against enemy Psykers. It is also rumoured that the chapter may possess several relics from the Horus Heresy, but this is open to debate, as the White Lights do not reveal too much unless they have no other choice.

 

[Gene-Seed]

As they come from Ultramarines stock, the White Lights possess no major genetic flaws. However a minor "flaw" does remain - their eyeballs turn bright-blue. Despite this trait, their eyesight is unaffected to any degree.

[Olis]

 

This is a work in progress, so keep that in mind when commenting please.

 

• Name: White Lights

 

Any particular reason for the name 'White Lights'?

 

 

• Strength: Maximum

 

I would possibly find it more interesting if they weren't at full strength. Yes, they've had three thousand years to establish themselves but a chapter is often at war so some losses are to be expected. :)

 

[Homeworld]

The homeworld of the White Lights is called Shatarah. It possesses a geography and atmosphere similar to that of Terra back in the ancient past. The chapter makes its home on the planet's highest mountain, and built their fortress - the Aldor Spire, on its peak.

 

This is something a lot of people do - it's relatively easy to describe and stick to but, unfortunately, it's a little bit boring. Maybe a way of adding a little pizzazz would be by making it a volcanic death world or an ice world or something.  

 

[Organisation]

The White Lights are a Codex chapter, however they do have one notable deviation.

 

Due to an undisclosed incident in their past (I haven't figured that part out yet), they do not use Librarians. The only Psykers the chapter has are its Navigators for long-distance space travel. All potential recruits have their psychic potential atrophied to zero, regardless of that potential's original degree. They accomplish this by introducing a liquefied substance into the recruit's blood (believed by some to be phase-iron, a relic from the DAoT). The result is a battle-brother who, unlike a true Blank, still has a soul, but the presence of it is so small that only extremely powerful Psykers or Daemons could pick up on it.

 

If I could interject here, instead of making it the result of an undisclosed incident, how about making the chapter strict adherents to the Nikaea Edict? It sounds far more interesting and it adds heaps onto their character, I think. That way they can become uncompromising and it'd lead nicely onto the:

 

In lieu of Librarians, the White Lights use "Guardians". These battle-brothers can be described as "Psyker-Hunters", for they possess a will of iron, and are trained specifically to fight Psykers (and to a lesser extent, daemons).

 

Sounds like a nice idea. One of those units that gets a bonus to a Deny the Witch roll or some such. What sort of rules would they follow? Chaplain rules?

 

Their main source of recruits come from Shatarah's neighboring planet, Terroka. This planet is highly militarized and ordered, and only the best male children are selected to be recruits. Terroka also has a strong Imperial Guard presence, as well as PDF and Arbites forces, for secondary defenses.

 

You don't really need to mentioned the Arbites in terms of defences, brother. ^_^

 

The chapter treats their Serfs and Imperial citizens much like their progenitor's brother chapter, the Salamanders. However unlike the XVIII legion, they do not live with the people they protect. When a recruit becomes a full-fledged battle-brother, his past identity is erased - a further precaution against betrayal, temptation, and corruption.

 

Care to explain why they treat regular mortals well, in this tract? A little bit of exposition on the whys and wherefores does wonders for an IA. ;)

 

If the chapter has to work with certain xenos races against a common foe, they will do so reluctantly; the chapter is aware of mankind's past history with alleged alien allies. Even so, once the common foe has been defeated or destroyed, the White Lights do not go back on their temporary-truces. Rather, they simply leave the area. If they are betrayed by their one-time allies, the chapter will descend upon them with unadulterated fury.

 

This sounds... a little bit off. I doubt the chapter would have access to confidential records of mankind's past history outside of their purview. The Inquisition would have attempted to see to that, I think. I think you need to replace the emboldened part with something about practicality, I think. Why face two enemies when you can face but one? Perhaps they do not seek alliances of necessity but will consider offers, depending on the situation?

 

[Technology]

The chapter has ties with the Adeptus Mechanicus, something which might be unusual for a descendant of the Ultramarines. Nevertheless, this alliance has bore much fruit for the White Lights. They have an arsenal larger than most, and have volunteered battle-brothers to accompany Mechanicus exploratory fleets. In exchange, the chapter is allowed by the AdMech to field-test new discoveries. The chapter's Guardians have been permitted use of Condemnor Boltguns in their fights against enemy Psykers. It is also rumoured that the chapter may possess several relics from the Horus Heresy, but this is open to debate, as the White Lights do not reveal too much unless they have no other choice.

 

I think you need to revisit the 'arsenal larger than most' statement. It's a bit woolly. Just how big are other chapter's armouries? I'm sure there are many which are positively huge. Perhaps a better angle would be to focus on the rarity of their arsenal or the variety, rather than the size. 

 

[Gene-Seed]

As they come from Ultramarines stock, the White Lights possess no major genetic flaws. However a minor "flaw" does remain - their eyeballs turn bright-blue. Despite this trait, their eyesight is unaffected to any degree.

 

Is it a mutation from the gene seed or from another influence? Has the Inquisition investigated? Does the chapter keep this to themselves? I think the answers to these questions need to be incorporated into the article further. :)

[ShasVa]

1) I didn't want to include a theological term like "angels" in the name, so I settled on this one.

 

2) Might give it a number then; 880. Or leave it blank/unknown.

 

3) You're probably right. I'll have a think on that one.

 

4) Of course, I forgot about that event! It fits in perfectly.

 

5) I'd imagine them as having Adamantium Will, and possibly PE (Psykers).

 

6) Fair point. I just wanted them to sound organised.

 

7) They treat "mortals" they way they do, because the chapter is trained from day-one to be the protectors of the Emperor's people. To treat them with scorn and malice is unbecoming, and they believe that even a lowly citizen or chapter Serf is just as valued as one of their own.

 

8) They would consider an offered alliance, yes. I concepted a scenario where the Tau come to the White Lights for help against a foe they both dispise. The White Lights were dubious of the proposed joint-effort, but accepted it because to deny it would put both the chapter and the people it protects at greater risk.

 

9) That was probably a mis-typing on my part. I think I meant to say that their technological understanding is greater than most, much like the Praetors of Orpheus (a fellow UM successor). However they would still keep rare relics, like maybe a Fellglaive.

 

10) Haven't gone into depth on this yet, sorry. I borrowed the trait from the angels on "Supernatural".

[Bishoujo]

The main concern I have is some of the names used. Your home world is Shatarah. Your fortress is the Aldor Spire. Your neighboring planet Terroka.

People familiar with World of Warcraft lore are going to instantly associate those names with Shattrath City (the City of Light), which hosts an area called the Aldor Rise and is bordered by the Terokkar Forest.

I think you have some creative ideas, and I feel you're doing yourself a disservice by pulling too much influence from a single source. It really bursts the reader's bubble. I say keep the home world name the same, and maybe change the fortress and neighboring planet names. Maybe there are large crystal deposits in that mountain that your marines built their fortress monastery directly into, and they call it the Crystal Spire. Or keeping with your general theme, a holy fortress called Lightsong Keep. Or even something simple like Sanctuary. Just some random ideas!

I'm looking forward to seeing what else you come up with!

It's like the "A Guide to Creating a DIY Chapter" thread says:

having a chapter master called ‘Arthur’ in a random chapter is fine, but having a chapter master called ‘Arthur’ in a chapter which is hunting the holy grail and has a second in command called Lancelot it a bad idea.

[Disruptor_fe404]

I noticed the WoW names and my initial kneejerk was that they were too obvious, but after re-reading the post I didn't feel they detracted from it all that much.

 

Though I'm kind of imagining his Astartes looking like Draenei now...

 

Okay, I guess maybe it did detract a bit.

 

I do agree that the no-psyker bent is more easily accomplished by using Nikaea, thus tying them into the world slightly better to boot!

[ShasVa]

FYI, my Chapter Master's name will be Adamas, the Greek word for "diamond" (which many know as a nigh-unbreakable material). I've envisioned him as using a Storm Shield, Paragon Blade, and Tartaros Terminator Armour (the White Lights' only one??).

 

The Draenei connection was meant to be obvious. The White Lights won't look like Draenei (that would be heresy by mutation). Apart from the names of some things to do with the chapter (Shatarah homeworld, Lightsong Spire, etc), almost everything else will be Astartes-specific.

 

Speaking of their eyes, I would imagine that this would not be a problem for most other Imperial bodies. The entire eyeball does not turn blue, like the Salamanders' turn red (confirmed?), but rather the blue in the eyes of the marine is much more pronounced. Like the vampires from the "Underworld" films - THAT kind of blue!

 

Adherence to the Nikaea Edict is the reasoning behind the psyker-nullification of the chapter. Though they acknowledge the potential of such powers, they have deemed the risk of using them too dangerous. Thus do they use manpower and technology as their tools of war.

 

EDIT: Their homeworld, while it won't be a decrepit **** hole, won't be a paradise either. I haven't seen "After Earth" (and might not either), but Shatarah's environment and biosphere is inspired by what I know of the film. All life on Shatarah is predatory and dangerous, and the planet itself has a number of different environments (much like our Earth; desert, jungle, ice, etc). The senior ranks of the White Lights see Shatarah as perfect for training recruits.