The Ashen Host - Rough Ideas

[SupremeGrandMaster_Daniel]

Hi Everyone, 

 

I wanted to run this idea by the good people of the Liber Astartes. 

 

Basically the chapter started out as a normal marine chapter (codex compliant). They mainly fought elder and chaos bands in the eastern fringe of segmentum obscurus (near the gothic sector). They specialized in lightning raids and void warfare to combat their most prevalent opponents. Their lane had a rich military history before their founding which greatly emphasized honor. 

 

Over time, they grew arrogant and corruption in their own territories escaped their notice. During the height of the 12th black crusade, the chapter was deployed in force, leaving only a small garrison force to defend their homeworld. 

 

Suddenly, chaos cults within the system caused violent anarchy further spreading out the chapter's resources. Finally cultists enacted a ritual to open the warp on their home planet. Their home world was overrun with daemons and the remaining brothers were forced to evacuate until reinforcements arrived. 

 

By the time reinforcements had arrived, the planet was already doomed. They were forced to commit genocide against their own people and unleash exterminatus. This experience broke them. They ended up in the ashes of their own world, their people slain and corrupted, their home and history destroyed.

 

To a chapter that emphasized honor, this was a stain that could never be washed away. To signify this,  the chapter painted their armor a dark grey (to symbolize the ashes of their homeworld) and renamed themselves the ashen host.

 

Moreover, the chapter's way of waging war changed. Before, they were among the more humanitarian chapters, but now, with their eyes open to the folly of their ways, they devoted themselves to ruthlessness.

 

The chapter was reborn with the declaration that the chapter was to wage an eternal crusade of redemption against all foes of the emperor (though they have a special loathing for the forces of chaos).

 

They became a fleet based chapter and constantly prowl on the hunt for enemies. They still fight with strategic brilliance, but with a zealotry that they had never possessed before.

 

 

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What do you all think?

 

I am going to use the Dark Angels codex even though they don't have dark angels gene seed. I think it makes sense due to the inner circle, hunt the fallen, etc. rules.

 

I would appreciate any feedback you have.

 

Sincerely,

Daniel 

[Olis]

Over time, they grew arrogant and corruption in their own territories escaped their notice. During the height of the 12th black crusade, the chapter was deployed in force, leaving only a small garrison force to defend their homeworld. 

 

In what way were they arrogant? Did they believe the 'petty' problems of regular humans were beneath their notice? Did they view them as unworthy of attention? 

 

To a chapter that emphasized honor, this was a stain that could never be washed away. To signify this,  the chapter painted their armor a dark grey (to symbolize the ashes of their homeworld) and renamed themselves the ashen host.

 

I would also think that if the Inquisition caught whiff of this incident (which they would), then a penitent crusade would be on the cards...

 

Moreover, the chapter's way of waging war changed. Before, they were among the more humanitarian chapters, but now, with their eyes open to the folly of their ways, they devoted themselves to ruthlessness.

 

Shouldn't that be the other way around? Wasn't it because of their arrogance and uncaring attitude that their homeworld died? They certainly don't sound like a humanitarian chapter, at least not before the warp incursion.

[Captain Juan Juarez]

 

Shouldn't that be the other way around? Wasn't it because of their arrogance and uncaring attitude that their homeworld died? They certainly don't sound like a humanitarian chapter, at least not before the warp incursion.

 

But if they have become arrogant, p'raps they are arrogant enough to believe that their homeworld was no of their own fault?

 

Also, I'd like to interject a point about their "rebranding"; could they use part of the ashes of their homeworld mixed in with their new coat of paint? Cause I like that idea.

 

 

As an side, I remember when quoting was easier.. Jus' sayin'.

[Dizzyeye01]

One thing you should consider is keeping the rules side of this to one side and focus on the backstory. Let the rules give you some inspiration but don't let them restrain you to them.

 

Also if this chapter doesn't have Dark Angel geneseed then which Chapter do they come from?

 

Another thing is don't just have this one single event that completely changed the whole chapters' beliefs, maybe have a series of battles or a campaign that forced the chapter to adapt.

 

Hope this has helped you :)

[SupremeGrandMaster_Daniel]

Hi everyone:

 

Thank you for your quick and thoughtful responses. 

 

Dizzyeye: 

 

I agree. I think that The Ashen Host will be the final iteration in this chapter's history. They are supposed to originally mostly fight eldar and dark eldar raiders. So I think one iteration could be the doing that and developing a highly mobile approach to war because of it. 

 

Captain Juan Juarez:

 

They definitely take responsibility for their homeworld's destruction. Maybe arrogant wasn't the right word. Perhaps they became inattentive. Their focus was on the threat to their realm and not within it. I'm thinking that their homeworld grew rich and powerful due to their protection and that allowed corruption to seep into their world. 

 

Also, I love the idea about the ashes of their homeworld being incorporated in their armor.  :D

 

Olisredan:

 

Perhaps arrogant was not the right word. They became inattentive, focused on the threat from outside and not on the enemy within. They couldn't bring themselves to think that their homeworld could be so mired in corruption. It might help that they have a history of long deployments, meaning that they were away for long periods of time. What do you think of something like that?

 

I think a penitent crusade is definitely the feel that I want to go with. 

 

I want the Ashen Host to be a really gothic chapter, so I want it to be more like they were lax and now their eyes have been open to the weakness in man and the necessity to root out corruption no matter the cost. 

 

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Please let me know what you all think. Thank you for the questions and suggestions. 

 

Sincerely,

Daniel

[SupremeGrandMaster_Daniel]

Here is the paint scheme for the chapter before:

 

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/sm/bpe=F0E9E9&bpj=F0E9E9&bp=F0E9E9&bpc=F0E9E9&hdt=BBC40E&hdm=F0E9E9&hdl=F0E9E9&ey=BA3C3C&er=F0E9E9&pi=7D7A7A&nk=F0E9E9&ch=F0E9E9&eg=BBC40E&sk=BBC40E&abs=F0E9E9&bt=F0E9E9&cod=F0E9E9&ull=F0E9E9&lk=F0E9E9&lll=F0E9E9&lft=F0E9E9&url=F0E9E9&rk=F0E9E9&lrl=F0E9E9&rft=F0E9E9&slt=BBC40E&sli=F0E9E9&srt=BBC40E&sri=F0E9E9&ula=F0E9E9&lel=F0E9E9&lla=F0E9E9&lw=F0E9E9&lh=BBC40E&ura=F0E9E9&rel=F0E9E9&rla=F0E9E9&rw=F0E9E9&rh=BBC40E&bg=FFFFFF&rb=968F8F&gr=969393&wg=true&aq=true&loin=AA0000&chps=CC0000&ti=C72E2E&blt=000000&/spacemarine.jpg

 

Here is the paint scheme after:

 

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/sm/bpe=575252&bpj=575252&bp=575252&bpc=575252&hdt=575252&hdm=575252&hdl=575252&ey=5BE8EB&er=575252&pi=575252&nk=575252&ch=575252&eg=999494&sk=969696&abs=575252&bt=575252&cod=575252&ull=575252&lk=575252&lll=575252&lft=575252&url=575252&rk=575252&lrl=575252&rft=575252&slt=575252&sli=575252&srt=575252&sri=575252&ula=575252&lel=575252&lla=575252&lw=575252&lh=575252&ura=575252&rel=575252&rla=575252&rw=575252&rh=575252&bg=FFFFFF&rb=857B7B&gr=7D7878&wg=true&aq=true&loin=AA0000&chps=CC0000&ti=FFFFFF&blt=000000&/spacemarine.jpg

[Olis]

Olisredan:

 

Perhaps arrogant was not the right word. They became inattentive, focused on the threat from outside and not on the enemy within.

 

Inattentive would be a better way to put it, aye. 

 

They couldn't bring themselves to think that their homeworld could be so mired in corruption. It might help that they have a history of long deployments, meaning that they were away for long periods of time. What do you think of something like that?

 

My question to that would be; why could they not believe their own homeworld was corrupted? Did they have a direct influence in the way the world operated, in which case, is it a classic form of denial? Or could elements have seeped into the chapter itself, causing problems and perhaps even an incident, blinding them to the deterioration of their home? 

 

I want the Ashen Host to be a really gothic chapter, so I want it to be more like they were lax and now their eyes have been open to the weakness in man and the necessity to root out corruption no matter the cost. 

 

Ah, I see. They thought they were naive before - but never again. I don't suppose the phrase "There is no such thing as innocence, only varying degrees of guilt." mean anything to you? ;)

[Captain Juan Juarez]

They definitely take responsibility for their homeworld's destruction. Maybe arrogant wasn't the right word. Perhaps they became inattentive. Their focus was on the threat to their realm and not within it. I'm thinking that their homeworld grew rich and powerful due to their protection and that allowed corruption to seep into their world.

Also, I love the idea about the ashes of their homeworld being incorporated in their armor.

So it is more that they were blind to it? "So long spent amongst the stars fighting against the forces of disorder, we did not see the disorder within our own hearth." - that sort of thing? Or more that they just couldn't believe that their own homeworld - because marines are proud of both what they are and what their duty is - could become degraded so?

If you go down the route of the penitent crusdae, then mixing the ashes of the homeworld with the paint on their armour is a very physical symbol of the penitence. Not only that though, repainting - gotta be a better word than that!? - armour becomes even more of a ritual than it would otherwise be when you take in the almost holy significance of the paint applied.

[SupremeGrandMaster_Daniel]

Olisredan:

Perhaps arrogant was not the right word. They became inattentive, focused on the threat from outside and not on the enemy within.

Inattentive would be a better way to put it, aye.

>They couldn't bring themselves to think that their homeworld could be so mired in corruption. It might help that they have a history of long deployments, meaning that they were away for long periods of time. What do you think of something like that?

My question to that would be; why could they not believe their own homeworld was corrupted? Did they have a direct influence in the way the world operated, in which case, is it a classic form of denial? Or could elements have seeped into the chapter itself, causing problems and perhaps even an incident, blinding them to the deterioration of their home?

I want the Ashen Host to be a really gothic chapter, so I want it to be more like they were lax and now their eyes have been open to the weakness in man and the necessity to root out corruption no matter the cost.

Ah, I see. They thought they were naive before - but never again. I don't suppose the phrase "There is no such thing as innocence, only varying degrees of guilt." mean anything to you?

I'm glad that I could clarify my intentions :).

The way I see it, they could be more aloof and distant, or they could have been more involved with the world. If they were more distant, then it would probably simplify the story. If they were involved in the governance of the world it could have corrupted some brothers and they could have been forced to kill them as well.

Maybe there is a middle ground though. What if they set up the system of governance for the world, but being a more humanitarian chapter allowed the humans to govern themselves for the most part. Over time this caused them to see their role as guardians and not rulers.

They definitely take responsibility for their homeworld's destruction. Maybe arrogant wasn't the right word. Perhaps they became inattentive. Their focus was on the threat to their realm and not within it. I'm thinking that their homeworld grew rich and powerful due to their protection and that allowed corruption to seep into their world.

Also, I love the idea about the ashes of their homeworld being incorporated in their armor.

So it is more that they were blind to it? "So long spent amongst the stars fighting against the forces of disorder, we did not see the disorder within our own hearth." - that sort of thing? Or more that they just couldn't believe that their own homeworld - because marines are proud of both what they are and what their duty is - could become degraded so?

If you go down the route of the penitent crusdae, then mixing the ashes of the homeworld with the paint on their armour is a very physical symbol of the penitence. Not only that though, repainting - gotta be a better word than that!? - armour becomes even more of a ritual than it would otherwise be when you take in the almost holy significance of the paint applied.

You totally get it :D

Thanks for the feedback!

-Daniel

[Olis]

Not only that though, repainting - gotta be a better word than that!? - armour becomes even more of a ritual than it would otherwise be when you take in the almost holy significance of the paint applied.

 

Reconsecrating?

[SupremeGrandMaster_Daniel]

That's good. I like that :)

[Captain Juan Juarez]

 

Not only that though, repainting - gotta be a better word than that!? - armour becomes even more of a ritual than it would otherwise be when you take in the almost holy significance of the paint applied.

 

Reconsecrating?

 

This is why you get the big bucks!

[Dizzyeye01]

Perhaps the reason why the chapter barely spent any time at their homeworld is due to chasing the eldar down fanaticly until there is no other way to find them or due to lack of supplies?

[Olis]

Yeah, 'cuz I knows me them fancy words. :lol:

 

 

Anyhoo - guardians, not rulers. That sounds much like what the Salamanders do (widely regarded as the most humanitarian of all the chapters in the Imperium... depending on your point of view). Regardless of their involvment, they need to be seen to have a light touch when it comes to the politics of their vassals - heavier hands in such matters tends to point towards renegade leanings, thanks to the Astral Claws. ;)

[Lysimachus]

I like the idea of the change of view about their world (and humanity in general perhaps?). They were honourable, i.e. respectful and trusting of the people of their world, viewing themselves as servants of Man, doing all they could for them. (Perhaps in a military sense, they'd be willing to work along with IG/PDFs, sharing info, providing support etc)

 

Then, despite being given every advantage, every kindness, every honour, the people turn against the Chapter and the Emperor, forcing the Chapter to rethink it's views on the way Astartes should interact with the rest of the Imperium. Now they rule over what's left of their own world with an iron fist, and have little respect for Humanity or any of the worlds under their protection.

[Olis]

Eloquent way of putting it Lysimachus. Sounds a lot like how I'm currently imagining the premise.

[SupremeGrandMaster_Daniel]

I like the idea of the change of view about their world (and humanity in general perhaps?). They were honourable, i.e. respectful and trusting of the people of their world, viewing themselves as servants of Man, doing all they could for them. (Perhaps in a military sense, they'd be willing to work along with IG/PDFs, sharing info, providing support etc)

 

Then, despite being given every advantage, every kindness, every honour, the people turn against the Chapter and the Emperor, forcing the Chapter to rethink it's views on the way Astartes should interact with the rest of the Imperium. Now they rule over what's left of their own world with an iron fist, and have little respect for Humanity or any of the worlds under their protection.

Great way to put it! :D

[SupremeGrandMaster_Daniel]

Thank you to everyone for the great feedback. I'm going to work on expanding the ideas and doing a proper write up. 

 

In the mean time, what do you think would be a good name for the chapter before the Ashen Host and what would be a good name for their homeworld?

 

I'm thinking the sons of ________ ???

[Dizzyeye01]

How about the Knights of [insert Homeworld here]?

[Lysimachus]

Praetors of__________/ Guardians of____________ might nicely reference their early viewpoint?

[SupremeGrandMaster_Daniel]

The Ashen Host

​Bereft, Relentless, Merciless....

'Index Astartes'

Ashen Host Tactical Marine

CHAPTER NAME: .............. The Ashen Host

FOUNDING: .................. 3rd (M32)

CHAPTER WORLD: ............. NONE

FORTRESS MONASTERY: ........ NONE

GENE-SEED (PREDECESSOR): ... Raven Guard

KNOWN DESCENDANTS: ......... NONE

SPECIALIZATION: ................. Urban Combat

"They have turned from the light of the Emperor, and we shall not repeat the mistakes of the past. Leave none alive."

- Supreme Grand Master Aegon

"There is no innocence only varying degrees of guilt."

- Grand Master Telesphorus

'The Ashen Host'

The Sons of _______

T

Home world

The Rise and Fall of the ____

blah blah blah

The Ashen Host

blah blah blah

Organization

The Company of The Shrouded Sun:

The Company of The Winged Shadow:

The Company of The Iron Fist:

The Company of The Pale Dawn:

The Company of The veiled Night:

The Company of The Eternal Pyre:

The Company of The Silent Storm:

The Company of The Shattered Star:

The Company of The Severed Skull:

Combat Doctrine

Recent Engagements

Masters of the Chapter

Chapter Relics

[SupremeGrandMaster_Daniel]

My compliments to plagueangel. I was having trouble with my code and am using his as a place holder. 

[Olis]

Praetors of... might be nice. Don't see that sort of name too often. 

[SupremeGrandMaster_Daniel]

praetor |ˈprētər| (also pretor)

 

noun, Roman History, each of two ancient Roman magistrates ranking below consul, acting in one of two official capacities: the commander of an army (in the field or, less often, before the army had been mustered); or, an elected magistratus (magistrate), assigned various duties (which varied at different periods in Rome's history).

 

That actually sounds perfect. Thank you! I had never looked up the definition before. 

 

Now I just need to come up with a decent planet name...

[SupremeGrandMaster_Daniel]

Praetors of Lyssus

 

Praetors of Nyssos

 

Praetors of Issa

 

Praetors of Senassis

 

Praetors of daurum

 

Praetors of Golgotha

 

Does anyone have any preferences?

 

 

Also, I'm thinking that the gene seed will either be ultramarine or raven guard. Thoughts?

 

Thanks, as always,

Daniel