The Liber Cluster

[Reyner]

Hi all here is my combat doctrine write up for the Conflagrators:

 

Conflagrators - Combat Doctrine

The Conflagrators make heavy use of flame weaponry in their assaults and it is seen as the only true path to purity for heretics and aliens alike – the Chapter is fascinated by flame and they do not care what burns as long as something is on fire that they can see. The marines advance behind a wall of fire when they assault an enemy, chanting their litanies as they march relentlessly through the ashes of their foes. A common assault formation of the Conflagrators is a spearhead of Land Raider Redeemers occupied by Sternguard and Tactical Terminator squads – this heavy armoured strike can smash through any obstacle and burn their way through entire cities not caring about collateral damage in the slightest. Other Imperial forces cannot fault the Chapter on their zeal on persecuting the foe but their pyromaniac tendencies rarely leave anything left for the Imperium, entire industrial continents have been burned to slag and ashes in the aftermath of a Conflagrators assault.

 

----

[Conn Eremon]

As for the size of the Liber Cluster, I am using a specific globular cluster as a guide and fudging the science extensively to make it worth it for the Imperials.

 

If visible on the galactic map, it would be about the size of the Eye. Galactically speaking it is small, about 1000 pc across.

 

It is also dense, with quite a few million stars. However, they are generally metallic poor and the closer you get to their core, the more packed they become. To the point where the average distance between stars at the center is less than the diameter of our own solar system. Even along the fringe, stars are much closer to each other than we are to our next nearest neighbor.

 

In other words, not planet-friendly. I am sure that whichever number I choose will be highly unscientific, but I could see there being at least a thousand habitable systems within Imperial control, a couple hundred more existing outside to battle over and uncover. Maybe?

[Olis]

At last Reyner! You disappeared for a short while, there. :D

 

I'll add that to the original post. ;)

 

...but I could see there being at least a thousand habitable systems within Imperial control, a couple hundred more existing outside to battle over and uncover. Maybe?

 

Plenty of kicking room, then. Certainly enough space to chuck around ideas and locations, no problem.

[Teetengee]

There is approximately 1 inhabited planet for every space marine in the greater imperium. Proportionally that would mean the cluster would have on the order of 10000 inhabitable planets to justify sending more than 10 space marine chapters. (Perhaps as few as 4-5000 since they are reclaiming not protecting, but still.)

Edited June 30, 2014 by Teetengee

[Conn Eremon]

I honestly hadn't thought of it in those terms, but I feel going too far above a thousand takes it beyond the realm of believability, even for 40k. Edited June 30, 2014 by Cormac Airt

[Olis]

I like the room. 5K worlds seems a good compromise, right?

[Captain Juan Juarez]

There is approximately 1 inhabited planet for every space marine in the greater imperium. Proportionally that would mean the cluster would have on the order of 10000 inhabitable planets to justify sending more than 10 space marine chapters. (Perhaps as few as 4-5000 since they are reclaiming not protecting, but still.)

 

Except that is only used to demonstrate how few Space Marines there are.

 

If the Cluster has something seen as vital to the Imperium then I can see a multitude of Chapters participating - don't forget that not only will each have its own agenda or motives but the choice to participate is also their own.

Edited June 30, 2014 by Captain Juan Juarez

[Dizzyeye01]

We've a fair sized time period to work with as well. Perhaps people should work out their homeworlds and its position in the Cluster?

[Reyner]

Now to do a write up between the Blades and the Black Judges. Oh dear lord this could get messy.

 

(especially when the Great Hunt inevitably calls :P)

Edited June 30, 2014 by Reyner

[Wade Garrett]

Hmmmm.......

 

I pictured the upper levels of the Ships as bristling with anti-air emplacements, possibly even void shield generators and anti-orbital weaponry. As such, drop pod assaults would be difficult.

 

I was imagining the Blackjaws using Land Speeders to come in low, under the firing arc of the defenses and assaulting the refineries from the bottom up. (And here is where I had the Lions pet witches calling up sea serpent sized centipede monsters, if heathens is okay with them resorting to Warp tomfoolery.)

 

On the other hand, it's also easy to imagine the Conflagrators going "The Emperor Protects!" and drop podding in, anti-air be damned. Not sure if the Kin would follow suit, though.

 

As far as air superiority goes...the bulk of the battle is going to be fought inside or on the refineries themselves.

 

The main point of having control of the skies would be to stop enemy movements between Ships, and interdicting Thunderhawk, Land Speeder, and whatever the Guard uses to move stuff by air. Strafing and bombing runs on the vessels themselves would be avoided (by people who aren't the Conflagrators.)

 

The Hyenas and the Untaken...on the one hand, I think the Lions (with their heavy emphasis on mobility and airpower) would defend Zavatista Lesser with some of their best, and if I read Heathens briefing correctly, the Hyenas are the snake eating spec ops elite of Al-Rashid's mortal forces, so it makes sense for them to be there.

 

But that also means they're unlikely to surrender, and dangit, that bit about the heretic scum surrendering to avoid being burned alive and getting burned alive anyway is too good to throw away.

 

The Untaken are a likewise a neat bunch, but I'm not sure if they 'fit' the job they're supposed to be doing.

 

One would think any force the Lions task with defending their fuel supplies would be adept at the kind of close quarters, room to room fighting (I envisioned) as characterizing this battle.

 

Think Space Hulk purges, Zone Mortalis, that sort of thing. You'd want Terminator armor, Mark III plate (if the Lions have access to such), howling Khornate madmen, Breachers...I'm not so sure about sneaky guys in Mark VI.

 

And as far as them skyjackjng a Kindred destroyer....I'm cool with Kin orbital assets taking a beating, and Lord knows I can't accuse you of having my guys take all the licks instead of the Conflagrators.

 

But I am wondering how the Lions got off the Ships, into orbit, and aboard an Imperial ship.

 

(Untaken Sergeant: "Wasn't easy!")

 

As far as the Guard Regiments involved, my thoughts:

 

Pallias 3rd Indentured

Drawn from an unusually rustic Shrine World, the rural inhabitants of Pallias practice a variation of the Imperial Creed that places a heavy emphasis on pacifism.

 

Normally, this means any forces tithed from its populace are promptly slotted into non-combat roles, but exceptions were made when Munitorium adepts witnessed the natives hunting with their archaic las-arquebuses.

 

The marksmanship on display was enough for arrangements to be made with the Ecclesiarchy, and specially trained groups of theological disputants sent in to find or make a loophole that would convince the inhabitants of Pallias to turn their sharpshooting skills against the enemies of the God Emperor.

 

While such Foundings are few and far between, those that have been raised are treasured for their uncanny accuracy.

 

It was believed that the 3rd's las-rifle skills would be invaluable in firefights within the Ships interior, and this was indeed the case.

 

The Blackjaw Kindred in particular paid the 3rd one of the highest compliments an Astartes can give to mortals when the Patriarch of the IX Circle sent Imperial Command a request for a cadre of their officers to be temporarily seconded to his force to instruct his new recruits in the finer points of accuracy.

 

(Regiment of Sgt. Alvin Yorks....IIIIINNNNN SPAAAAACE!)

 

Rusk Mechanized Urbanite Division

 

The Rusk are drawn from the shadowy warrior-clans that serve the ganger-aristocracy of the planet Hatake, and are famed for their skills at infiltration, engagements in urban environments...and engaging in illicit activites ranging from slave trading to drug dealing.

 

Regiments from this world typically enjoy a close (too close, some say) relationship with the Saneslau Mechanicus, and while the Rusk elements in their signature black pullover masks performed with all the competence expected of the Astra Militarum when fighting in Conflagrator areas, reports from the Kin's theaters of operation indicated they often seemed more interested in siphoning off refined promethium from the Ships than in engaging the Lions.

 

This state of affairs lasted until Patriarch Gautier of the IV Circle, a staunch devotee of the Khan, had over fifty Rusk NCOs drowned in vats of the fuel they had been trying to smuggle out, erasing any ideas that the informal Blackjaws were more forgiving of human vices than their fiery brethren.

 

(Regiment of Yakuza ninjas....IIIINNN SPPPAAAAAACCE!)

Edited June 30, 2014 by Wade Garrett

[Olis]

Very good, I shall begin making amendments. ^_^

[Teetengee]

I am with Olisredan in the 4-5k planets range for the cluster. (It's our universe if we want it bigger, we shall bigger it. Knee jerk FORGE THE NARRATIVE, cough cough splutter).

I think that the Untaken might be able to skyjack a Kindred ship by taking their armour and infiltrating that way.

[Olis]

Made some alterations, added bits here and there. The destroyer is now Naval, as opposed to Kindred owned, btw. 

 

Also, I like the regiments there, Wade. They have ideas that I don't think I would have thought of - like the pullovers the Rusk Urbanites wear or the Pallias marksmen. ;)

[Wade Garrett]

It looks good to me, Olis.

 

And just for the record, for everyone involved in the project, when I talk about an idea being implausible, or ask "Why did X happen?" that doesn't mean "I hate this idea with the force of a billion exploding suns and wish it had a physical neck so I COULD BREAK IT!"

 

Rather, what I'm trying to get across is "Sell me on this. Justify it."

 

Cormac and Heathens have done projects similar to this with me before, they'll attest that when I don't like an idea, "This seems implausible" or "I don't understand why this happened" is NOT the language I use to express myself.

;)

 

 

Also, a most sincere expression of gratitude to Olisredan for taking my vague mumblings and turning them into an actual detailed battle write up.

Edited June 30, 2014 by Wade Garrett

[Olis]

Also, a most sincere expression of gratitude to Olisredan for taking my vague mumblings and turning them into an actual detailed battle write up.

 

My pleasure. It's still open for additions and criticism atm, mind you. ^_^

[Hyaenidae]

Aww. Oli, you used the piece of art I was going to use for the Lions, you thief.   :P

 

Love the Untaken, they'll be fun.

[Olis]

Heh, you're not the only one who's got google-fu and a liking for the image-search. ;)

 

Glad you like The Untaken, feel free to develop them further.

[Hyaenidae]

I'm just a sucker for Mk. VI plate, and rogue trader art.  :P

[Wade Garrett]

Something I just caught was the mention of Advocates to the Liber Conclave in the last section.

 

Now I'm wondering if this might not be a specific title/honor within the loyalist Chapters, given to the Astartes who is the most capable at getting along with the other Imperial factions and arguing for their Chapters interests when the various important issues are discussed.

 

Or in the case of the Conflagrators and Black Judges, awarded to the Marine who can yell "SILENCE, HERETIC SCUM!" in the loudest, most intimidating voice.

:p

Edited June 30, 2014 by Wade Garrett

[Olis]

I'm cool with an Advocate being an official thing, if others are. 

[Hyaenidae]

Oh. Oh, sonovagun. I just realized something, timeline-wise. This is the 21st Founding, right? The Cursed? That means this is prior to the Age of Apostasy.

 

There are no Sisters of Battle yet.

 

Hell. I gotta go fix my 'Briefing' later and amend the Canoness and Tala's armour source.

[Captain Nameless]

Something I just caught was the mention of Advocates to the Liber Conclave in the last section.

 

Now I'm wondering if this might not be a specific title/honor within the loyalist Chapters, given to the Astartes who is the most capable at getting along with the other Imperial factions and arguing for their Chapters interests when the various iimportant issues are discussed.

 

Or in the case of the Conflagrators and Black Judges, awarded to the Marine who can yell "SILENCE, HERETIC SCUM!" in the loudest, most intimidating voice.

 

This sounds interesting.

[Nomus Sardauk]

Oh. Oh, sonovagun. I just realized something, timeline-wise. This is the 21st Founding, right? The Cursed? That means this is prior to the Age of Apostasy.

 

There are no Sisters of Battle yet.

 

Hell. I gotta go fix my 'Briefing' later and amend the Canoness and Tala's armour source.

 

Ah crud, welp, there goes my idea for a Sororitas Order dedicated to protecting an Psychic Beacon known as the Lighthouse used to guide ships going to and from the Cluster and the rest of the Imperium. Ah nevermind, I could decide on their dang colours anyway.

[Wade Garrett]

 

 

Also, a most sincere expression of gratitude to Olisredan for taking my vague mumblings and turning them into an actual detailed battle write up.

My pleasure. It's still open for additions and criticism atm, mind you. ^_^

Hmmm...for a campaign where the battle for the skies is so important, we've...sort of completely left out any mention of fighter aces, gunships, bomber squadrons, or anything but PBI. Well, and PBI wearing ceramite.

 

There's also the Vorden Drop Troops and the Nabarri Heavy Infantry to flesh out, and the description of the orbital battle. (I imagine part of the Lions plan for defense was "Hey! Let's win the war without having lots of ordinance lobbed at our nigh irreplaceable giant promethium refineries", and that means killing the enemy in orbit.)

[Olis]

Hmmm...for a campaign where the battle for the skies is so important, we've...sort of completely left out any mention of fighter aces, gunships, bomber squadrons, or anything but PBI. Well, and PBI wearing ceramite.

 

...and the description of the orbital battle. (I imagine part of the Lions plan for defense was "Hey! Let's win the war without having lots of ordinance lobbed at our nigh irreplaceable giant promethium refineries", and that means killing the enemy in orbit.)

 

Good idea. It's kinda important stuff that I've missed out there. 

 

(Also... what's PBI?)

 

There's also the Vorden Drop Troops and the Nabarri Heavy Infantry to flesh out,

 

Nabaretti. Nabarri sounds oddly like those war dogs from Dragon Age. Anyway, if you fancy fleshing them out, knock yourself out. ^_^