A little help...

[Daemon2027]

So, having read through the Iron Hand section in Massacre, I have a few ideas.

 

It seems that the most important organisation in the Xth was the Order, which were made up of specialised Companies (such as a breachers company, an armoured vehicle company, etc). The companies, while different in specialisation, were grouped so to work best with the other companies in the Order. In a sense, the companies were cogs to the Orders machine. These Orders were often formed of a single clan, but it wasn't unknown for units from other clans to be included. Leadership was strict, with those given command being expected to be obeyed by everyone else, and their was a clear line of command from the company captain, up to the Iron Captain (who I guess had control over several companies), then the Iron Lords (I am guessing these were usually Iron Farther, being the Clan Leaders), with the Primarch at the head(sorry) of the organisation. The make up of the Order, and the how structure could be changed to suit the need of the conflict, but once on the field I suspect they stayed as they were set out.

 

So how to fit this in with my shield wall idea in here?

 

I still want to base my Xth on my own clan (more on that in a mo), which I was planning to make quite small compared to the ones mentioned in Massacre. This way I can have them galavanting across the universe fighting who ever, as they are effectively mine. It also means I can use them as a base for a successor chapter (or Renegade warband ;) ) if I ever want. I would like to build a history stretching through the GC into the middle of the Heresy, touching on events such as Isstvan V. This way I can field the whole Order in it's glory with the primarch, or a shattered band of brothers, depending on the setting of any game.

 

Now, the Order structure gives me a chance to get, at least part of my clan, to Isstvan V. The way I see it, if you have a clan that specialises in shield bearing warriors, you would probably look to them to provided ship defence. So, my idea is that a company of breachers (including Immortals, who would probably be multi clan due to their nature), led by a shield captain was in orbit around Isstvan V, and deployed late in the battle, sent to secure the drop site/due to the death of their ship/hoping to land and help the survivors/general rage at the death of the Gorgon. Here, they would have formed a shield wall around transport ships, and combined with some luck (the Iron Warriors artillery was targeting elsewhere), was able to gather some survivors and flee of planet. A lucky few would have fled the massacre in space and rendezvous with other elements of the clan/mechanicum, as they entered the Isstvan system. I imagine, even after collecting survivors, the fight on the surface, and the probable battle in space, would see a massive loss in the amount of troops.

 

I'm hoping this provides context for a large selection of breacher marines, and the ability to include at least some of the marines who were on the surface of Isstvan V.

 

As for the Clan, I think they will be small compared to other clans, hence the development of defensive warfare, and the integration of Terran customs. So far I have a working name of Isserni. It's taken from the Old English for Iron - Isern, but I think it's different enough not to be to obvious. I plan to create some specific characters/office for the Clan. Still working on a clan symbol (ok have nothing at the moment!)

 

Would love some criticism, or ways to improve the background, even if it's just to say its a bit much.

 

Oh and the Shield Captain is almost complete, working names, Oathkeeper.

[helterskelter]

I love Language! I am incredibly suprised isern hasn't been picked up before, I like how you've ran with that. Overall premise seems good, looking forward to this if you choose this route.

[Daemon2027]

I was fairly surprised to have not seen it used, especially with the way GW is usually quite obvious with their naming. Ferrus Manus and Corvus Corax spring to mind.

[Iron Hands Fanatic]

Some pretty cool ideas - you've basically got the crux of the X Legion's structure.

If you're looking for how that might be practically applied, here's the way I've laid out the structure of my Clan:

Plus, here's a discussion me & Urza had on some of the details: http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/286939-clan-burrakis/

If you've got any questions on some of the details - just ask, and each Clan is culturally and structurally an individual & individualistic sub-Legion, so feel free to diverge from the directiob we've taken

[Daemon2027]

I just read through a bit of the Clan Burrakis thread and I have lodes of ideas. I like your structure, a lot, and I think I will refer to it as I go. Hoping to work on some models tonight.