The Liber Cluster

[Olis]

Aegnor - It's a little more in-depth than necessary, I feel. We don't need to know how heavy they are (or other details such as they get distressed when being slaughtered) - I think that section can be simplified and shortened reasonably easily. They share similarities with humans and should be considered abominations (like all xenos). 

 

 

We may even see them die out entirely. Not sure yet. I'm thinking of something along the lines of them showing uo to several major engagements and sacrificing themselves to ensure a victory. They may or may not be successful.

 

The dying out part grabs my attention. I hadn't considered one of the Liber Chapters becoming extinct. My advice would be to decimate them somehow - perhaps on the receiving end of the Lions' wrath after a disastrous attack on their territory, and then the Chapter (reduced to, say, less than a hundred members) decides that honour and glory can still be theirs by making one last attack at Evin Prime, intent on decapitating the Lions leadership. Just a thought. :)

[Hyaenidae]

Heathens, just wondering if I can include the Commander of the Ash Wolves in a story set near the end of the Silence. It'll just be him becoming the Commander and won't have a too big part in it.

 

Of course, man. :)

 

So everyone knows, I'm down with anybody here taking shots at writing about the Lions, whether from one of their commanders points of view, or whatevs'. That's why I left huge 'blank spots' in the rosters of the command structures, as well as leaving many of those I wrote a little about with very little history. It's a joint-project after all, and I'm fully aware that my Lions are the punching bags for your Chapters. Make up a regiment, a new piece of armour, unique tactics, aircraft dogfights, mercenary commands, whatever you want to do. 

 

I really only ask three things:

 

1. The Coyotes are the chaff, whereas the rest of the regiments are solid and professional Soldiery, and as close to fearless as mortals can get. Please keep that in mind when writing. If you need tactical advice, I'm more than willing to help out. Think "Blood Pact' with advanced tech and a lot more sanity, and you ain't far off.

 

2. Hold off on writing about anything involving the Capital Hive of Evin Prime quite yet. I got a few more surprises for y'all....  ;)

 

3. The only characters I'd ask that y'all at least PM me about before you write them would be Al-Rashid, or Yitzchaq. Both are... 'precious'... to me. 

[Dizzyeye01]

@Sanguine Knight I think we can work something out. I can pm you the details in mind that I have, your choice :)

[Guest Musketeer12]

right thanks guys, still going to be following this though, looks great

 

Musket

[Olis]

Even though loyal chapters are out, Musketeer, drawing up some pirates might be a fun idea, mortals or astartes alike. Hell, besides the Angels Exultant, we don't have any Chaos Marines yet...

[Aegnor]

No worries about editing the post re the aliens. Will do so when I get home.

[TDF]

The Kalliel Agreement

 

The noises of war were muted, but they were unmistakably there. The smells too: fyceline, ozone, ash and... something else. Grigor Barandion had been involved in a number of wars, but this one felt different. The darghoul were xenos of course, but he’d negotiated with a lot of xenos and fought against a lot more. No, there was something wrong about the darghoul in particular that set his teeth on edge and he couldn’t put his finger on it.

 

Still, business was business.

 

The alien delegates were waiting on the landing pad. That was good. It showed them that he held the balance of power. Grigor strode down the Vendetta’s loading ramp, his entourage following close behind. He was especially glad that he had brought Vorag and Kull. The darghoul towered over him, but the ogryns towered over them. If fighting broke out he’d rather have the ogryns than his usual bodyguards.

 

The leading xenos, dressed in presumably ceremonial platinum and gold armour, raised a clawed hand and barked something in his language.

 

“Lord General Xaliesh Var’oul welcomes you to Kalliel m’lord and expresses his hope that a mutually beneficial arrangement can be made,” translated Milos. Capturing the pirate captain alive had been a real stroke of good fortune for Grigor.

 

“Tell him that our offer still stands, and that all the forces of House Barandion are available for the defence of his world.”

 

Milos translated; the alien words sounding utterly wrong coming from a human mouth. The darghoul general said something to his aides, then turned his attention back to Grigor and spoke again.

 

“The Lord General would like to know what you want in return for this generous offer,” said Milos.

 

“I want examples of every weapon in the darghoul military arsenal,” Grigor replied, pausing to allow the former pirate to translate. “I want a guarantee that Kalliel will not trade or deal with any humans other than representatives of House Barandion,” he continued. “Then, when the fighting is over and Kalliel is saved I want a warship of the darghoul navy as a permanent gift and fifteen thousand troops to enter the service of House Barandion for ten Imperial years.”

 

Some of the aliens raised their weapons and made hissing noises that were unmistakably threats, but their leader’s reply sounded composed.

 

“The Lord General agrees to all your requests except for the last, m’lord. To lose more soldiers after the casualties they’ve already suffered would render Kalliel all but defenceless if the orks return.”

 

“With all due respect, Kalliel is already defenceless,” Grigor replied. He pointed at the clouds of smoke on the horizon. “In two days the orks will be at the walls. Kalliel will fall within a week unless reinforcements arrive. How long until the darghoul ships arrive? Five months? Six? House Barandion can begin deployment in less than an hour.”

 

After Milos finished translating there was a long silence. Finally the darghoul leader growled a response.

 

“The Lord General agrees to your terms, m’lord. He wishes to know if there is some ritual you would like to complete to acknowledge the deal.”

 

“No. Just express my pleasure that a mutually beneficial arrangement could be found.”

 

The xenos didn’t look pleased at that. They hissed angrily, turned on their heels and stormed off.

 

Milos attempted a smile. “At least they didn’t try to kill us m’lord.”

 

“They must have been desperate,” Grigor said. “I never expected them to accept fifteen thousand.”

 

“Didn’t Lady Ysbeta request only five thousand?” Milos asked.

 

“Oh yes,” Grigor grinned. “Five thousand for my dear aunt, and the rest for me.”

[helterskelter]

 

 

We may even see them die out entirely. Not sure yet. I'm thinking of something along the lines of them showing uo to several major engagements and sacrificing themselves to ensure a victory. They may or may not be successful.

The dying out part grabs my attention. I hadn't considered one of the Liber Chapters becoming extinct. My advice would be to decimate them somehow - perhaps on the receiving end of the Lions' wrath after a disastrous attack on their territory, and then the Chapter (reduced to, say, less than a hundred members) decides that honour and glory can still be theirs by making one last attack at Evin Prime, intent on decapitating the Lions leadership. Just a thought. :)

i'd venture the doomsayers for this, in the yet to be completed joint action, the chapter master is going to get bumped off, with his personal elite also biting the dust. that many respected warriors going down, plus fleet casulties etc grossly anger the 1st captain/temporary chapter master. He takes the remaining on a mission of vengeance, which kills off the remaining Doomsayers in the cluster, however i'd request the "Awaiting Doom" survive and be in the hands of either the blackjaws, conflagarators, all seers or red sentinels

[Aegnor]

Love the Kalliel Agreement Tdf - pitch perfect.

[helterskelter]

plus 20 suits of termie armour and the chapter masters relic suit (in built tele homers mean these precious items are saved, can't be wasting resources now)

[Olis]

In the mood for picture time, I think. I have unashamedly stolen Heathens format (considering it's Lion related stuff, I figure it was appropriate):

 

The Forges of Lelith

The vast manufactoria of the industrial centre to the Sereiki Lions domains churn out vehicles for their masters year upon year, providing them the means to defend and control their fiefdom. Commonly called the 'hell-forges', these Mechanicus facilities plunge deep into the rocky core of the planet, utilising geothermal energy and the immense pressures at depth to run their operations.

 

The Tech-Priests of Lelith, long under the yoke of the Lions, have been subjected to numerous 'disappearances' and 'deportations' that have weeded out the more troublesome of the priesthood. In their place hereteks, machine apostates and other questionable figures have taken over the running of the planet's forges, conducting experiments and alterations to holy STC designs that would appall the population were they privy to such activity.  

 

http://img1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120705013727/warhammer40k/images/8/8c/Heretek_in_extremis.jpg

 

+Magos Simis Marasian, Arch-Genetor of Lelith Secundus+

Known to the wider Liber only through the reports of the Inquisition and various anvil-warrants issued by the Saneslau Mechanicus, Magos Marasian is a consummate geneticist with grandiose desires to create better, hardier soldiers than the Emperor's vaunted astartes. Known for the indiscriminate use of human test subjects for his experiments, he was declared a heretek when he was discovered splicing xenos genetic material to his unfortunate victims. Once hunted and reviled, he has found succour in the Sereiki Lions and has performed services in the past in exchange for protection. Gifted with a position on Lelith by Al-Rashid himself, the Arch-Genetor spends much of his time experimenting and examining his latest victims.

 

 

http://img3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120705001129/warhammer40k/images/a/a7/Heretek_2.jpg

 

+Magos Ur'dn Exvicios, Artificer-Ultima, Lelith Secundus+

Owned body and soul by the Sereiki Lions, Magos Exvicios has been raised to a position of power because, for them, he is easy to control. With promises of ancient technology and rare items by the Lions, he has agreed to furnish the warband and it's vassals with whatever supplies they demand. This has led to the old stockpiles of astartes grade weaponry at the hell-forges to become depleted and Exvicios scrambling to create the necessary production lines to keep up with demand. In an effort to remain in the Lions' good graces, Exvicios has fallen back on supplying them with an ever dwindling cache of irreplaceable relics. It is expected that he will be replaced soon.

 

 

http://37.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mav8befwMh1rtggtpo1_500.jpg

 

+Twelveman, self-declared 'Free-Magos', Fabricator Locum of Lelith Secundus+

Little is known of Twelveman, not even his real name, but it is largely suspected that he is one of the very worst of the hereteks under the employ of the Sereiki Lions. Responsible for the disappearances of powerful opposition to the Lions' enterprise, Twelveman is believed to be a dabbler in warp-theory. He has been known to kill his rivals publicly and fears no form of reprisal, if his recent observed activities are anything to go by. He struts about the manufactoria of Lelith, king and judge of those beneath him, often summarily executing those that fail to meet their quota. He is hated and feared, even by the other hereteks on Lelith.

 

The vehicles of Lelith:

 

http://www.beastsofwar.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Gothic-Tank-KV-2-Pattern-Concept-Art.jpg

(I know this is a Maxmini concept picture but I couldn't resist using the image)

 

-Morback pattern (ET-09) Leman Russ derivative-

Analogous to it's predecessor, the Morback mounts similar firepower on an enlarged turret. Although slow to traverse, the turret boasts thicker armour and a larger ammunition bin than the regular Leman Russ, ensuring it to perform longer operations without resupply. It does, however, present a much larger target than the Leman Russ and thus is far more likely to be struck in the turret by enemy fire. The relative ease of manufacture means that it is the mainstay armour of Coyote units. 

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xNrE2rD-v1w/UNR4-xBn0PI/AAAAAAAAIrM/bl2ghNad4jw/s640/KB+Terrier+Tank.jpg

 

-SPSH Thug seige-tank-

A simplistic tank, doing away with many electronic systems to keep manufacture times and costs down, the Thug super-heavy tank is armed and armoured for one reason - siege warfare. The hull mounted demolisher cannon must be presented to the target for it to remain effective, forcing the whole tank to turn should an enemy attack from the sides or rear. Although cheap and manned by Coyote crews, a Thug is a relatively rare weapon to encounter, usually kept away from the mobile warfare Lion forces specialise in. Large numbers of them are kept on Lelith, ready to be brought out of mothball should the need arise.

 

http://wallpaperswa.com/thumbnails/detail/20120630/desert%20tanks%20fantasy%20art%20science%20fiction%20vehicles%20dune%201920x1200%20wallpaper_wallpaperswa.com_28.jpg

 

-Gargantua, command platform of Lord Therat Mnix-

According to intelligence reports, a one-of-a-kind super-heavy vehicle commanded by the Lion armour specialist Therat Mnix. Armed with a long-barrelled Quake cannon and powered by a heretek designed drive-train, the Gargantua is highly mobile for a super-heavy tank, keeping pace with much lighter tanks such as Chimeras. A prodigious consumer of fuel, the Gargantua requires far more than other super-heavies in order to keep it moving, the engines burning high amounts of promethium in exchange for power and torque.

 

 

 

 

http://th03.deviantart.net/fs70/300W/f/2014/123/7/7/strangers_by_beproudofme-d5b3vks.jpg

+Lord Therat Mnix, commander of the Coyote Tank Brigades+

An astartes of unknown heritage, Lord Mnix is a tank commander first and foremost, strategist and general a distant second. Mnix prefers to lead from the front in his command tank, crushing enemy armour with impunity under his vehicle's treads. He is headstrong and egotistical, commanding his subordinates to leave particular targets for him, if he deems them to be worthy. Mnix unknowingly relies all too much on Lion airpower, the skies remaining clear on his fields of victory. Emperor only knows how such an individual would act if he were to lose valuable air support, or perhaps even his own tank. 

 

 

Comments and corrections welcome (especially by Heathens as it's his concepts that I'm expanding on).

[Conn Eremon]

Aegnor - It's a little more in-depth than necessary, I feel. We don't need to know how heavy they are (or other details such as they get distressed when being slaughtered) - I think that section can be simplified and shortened reasonably easily. They share similarities with humans and should be considered abominations (like all xenos).

 

 

 

We may even see them die out entirely. Not sure yet. I'm thinking of something along the lines of them showing uo to several major engagements and sacrificing themselves to ensure a victory. They may or may not be successful.

The dying out part grabs my attention. I hadn't considered one of the Liber Chapters becoming extinct. My advice would be to decimate them somehow - perhaps on the receiving end of the Lions' wrath after a disastrous attack on their territory, and then the Chapter (reduced to, say, less than a hundred members) decides that honour and glory can still be theirs by making one last attack at Evin Prime, intent on decapitating the Lions leadership. Just a thought. :)

Remember, Evin Prime is the current target of the Lords Inviolate and the Sons of Calderon. I have the outline all done up, just in the process of fleshing it out.

[TDF]

Love the Kalliel Agreement Tdf - pitch perfect.

Cheers Aegnor. I was inspired after reading your piece on the Darghoul.

[Olis]

 

Aegnor - It's a little more in-depth than necessary, I feel. We don't need to know how heavy they are (or other details such as they get distressed when being slaughtered) - I think that section can be simplified and shortened reasonably easily. They share similarities with humans and should be considered abominations (like all xenos).

 

We may even see them die out entirely. Not sure yet. I'm thinking of something along the lines of them showing uo to several major engagements and sacrificing themselves to ensure a victory. They may or may not be successful.

The dying out part grabs my attention. I hadn't considered one of the Liber Chapters becoming extinct. My advice would be to decimate them somehow - perhaps on the receiving end of the Lions' wrath after a disastrous attack on their territory, and then the Chapter (reduced to, say, less than a hundred members) decides that honour and glory can still be theirs by making one last attack at Evin Prime, intent on decapitating the Lions leadership. Just a thought.

Remember, Evin Prime is the current target of the Lords Inviolate and the Sons of Calderon. I have the outline all done up, just in the process of fleshing it out.

 

 

Aha. Fair enough. Some sort of other glorious action then. ^_^

 

 

i'd venture the doomsayers for this, in the yet to be completed joint action, the chapter master is going to get bumped off, with his personal elite also biting the dust. that many respected warriors going down, plus fleet casulties etc grossly anger the 1st captain/temporary chapter master. He takes the remaining on a mission of vengeance, which kills off the remaining Doomsayers in the cluster, however i'd request the "Awaiting Doom" survive and be in the hands of either the blackjaws, conflagarators, all seers or red sentinels

 

Two volunteers, eh? This would be a sad time indeed should two Liber Chapters fall to the Lions... :(    (Dibs on the free stuff.)

[helterskelter]

its not a total fall for the Doomsayers, theres still a few in regular imperium being fleetbound and all. plus crushing defeats have been requested. The remaining Doomsayers could make their way clusterward in the future, potentially upsetting the lions who had thought that problem was dealt with. Though for now DOOM!!!!

[Olis]

its not a total fall for the Doomsayers, theres still a few in regular imperium being fleetbound and all. plus crushing defeats have been requested. The remaining Doomsayers could make their way clusterward in the future, potentially upsetting the lions who had thought that problem was dealt with. Though for now DOOM!!!!

 

Interesting idea. I wonder what would call away a reasonable percentage of Doomsayers from the Liber Cluster...

[helterskelter]

 

 

its not a total fall for the Doomsayers, theres still a few in regular imperium being fleetbound and all. plus crushing defeats have been requested. The remaining Doomsayers could make their way clusterward in the future, potentially upsetting the lions who had thought that problem was dealt with. Though for now DOOM!!!!

Interesting idea. I wonder what would call away a reasonable percentage of Doomsayers from the Liber Cluster...

Theres two options i feel. The first being 'Nids coming from beneath the galatic plain, the other being a call from another scion of guilliman chapter (Doom Eagles/Doom Legion maybe) calling for aid in extremis.

 

i tend to suffer from lotsoflooseideaitis. plus getting to a proper machine so i can get this stuff typed up

[Olis]

 

 

its not a total fall for the Doomsayers, theres still a few in regular imperium being fleetbound and all. plus crushing defeats have been requested. The remaining Doomsayers could make their way clusterward in the future, potentially upsetting the lions who had thought that problem was dealt with. Though for now DOOM!!!!

Interesting idea. I wonder what would call away a reasonable percentage of Doomsayers from the Liber Cluster...

Theres two options i feel. The first being 'Nids coming from beneath the galatic plain, the other being a call from another scion of guilliman chapter (Doom Eagles/Doom Legion maybe) calling for aid in extremis.

 

i tend to suffer from lotsoflooseideaitis. plus getting to a proper machine so i can get this stuff typed up

 

I think you can nix the Tyranid idea - this episode in Liber history is quite early on, much too early for 'Nids. If we're around about the early 36th millennium  you could use the beginning of the age of apostasy (or not - we could be in the late 35th millennium). Should we be in the late 35th, I think sending aid to the Doom Eagles would be a decent event.

[Conn Eremon]

The Age of Apostasy pretty much covers the entire period of reclamation. Like our own arrival to the Liber Cluster, the Age begins right after the 21st Founding. This campaign is about 2-3 centuries past that, which is when the Age and Reign ended. Basically 001.M36 - ~250.M36.

 

I would like to see some more influence from the Age of Apostasy, but it will mostly be even earlier Cluster events.

 

However, there is no reason why a new reason can't be invented instead of using something already existing.

 

Simply saying the Doomsayers are answering their primogenitor's call for all sons of Guilliman, without going into any further detail, is just enough to mean anything, but implies something momentous.

[Wade Garrett]

Well, several pages back I had thrown out the idea of the 18 Worlds Reconquista getting de-railed by the arrival of large nunbers of Ecclesiastical forces sent by Gorge Vandire to bring the worlds of the Liber Cluster under his control.

[Conn Eremon]

That could make for a great pre-Eighteen Worlds Campaign event that can be expanded upon at leisure once we are done. We would need to determine which side everybody takes, whether it is fought from the start, or perhaps we are the last hold out of Vandirists. The Liberites would likely keep themselves aloof of the whole thing unless it degenerates until full-on internecine war.

[Olis]

That could make for a great pre-Eighteen Worlds Campaign event that can be expanded upon at leisure once we are done. We would need to determine which side everybody takes, whether it is fought from the start, or perhaps we are the last hold out of Vandirists. The Liberites would likely keep themselves aloof of the whole thing unless it degenerates until full-on internecine war.

 

I reckon the Conflagrators themselves would not be too happy with Vandire - they represent a (slightly rabid) form of the Imperial Creed and therefore want to have words with the guy who's been taking lumps out of the Ecclesiarchy. Of all of the Liberite Chapters, it would be all too easy for them to just throw caution to the wind and begin eliminating Vandirists as heretics. Vandire is a usurper and a false prophet, or that's how they would see him.

[Conn Eremon]

 

 

That could make for a great pre-Eighteen Worlds Campaign event that can be expanded upon at leisure once we are done. We would need to determine which side everybody takes, whether it is fought from the start, or perhaps we are the last hold out of Vandirists. The Liberites would likely keep themselves aloof of the whole thing unless it degenerates until full-on internecine war.

I reckon the Conflagrators themselves would not be too happy with Vandire - they represent a (slightly rabid) form of the Imperial Creed and therefore want to have words with the guy who's been taking lumps out of the Ecclesiarchy. Of all of the Liberite Chapters, it would be all too easy for them to just throw caution to the wind and begin eliminating Vandirists as heretics. Vandire is a usurper and a false prophet, or that's how they would see him.

Wasn't Vandire in charge of the Ecclesiarchy? I know he started with the Administratum, but before Sebastian Thor started rabble-rousing I thought he was a well-accepted, if bloody insane, diabolical and violent, Ecclesiarch.

[helterskelter]

Anyone up for timelining these events as a reference?

[Olis]

 

 

That could make for a great pre-Eighteen Worlds Campaign event that can be expanded upon at leisure once we are done. We would need to determine which side everybody takes, whether it is fought from the start, or perhaps we are the last hold out of Vandirists. The Liberites would likely keep themselves aloof of the whole thing unless it degenerates until full-on internecine war.

I reckon the Conflagrators themselves would not be too happy with Vandire - they represent a (slightly rabid) form of the Imperial Creed and therefore want to have words with the guy who's been taking lumps out of the Ecclesiarchy. Of all of the Liberite Chapters, it would be all too easy for them to just throw caution to the wind and begin eliminating Vandirists as heretics. Vandire is a usurper and a false prophet, or that's how they would see him.

Wasn't Vandire in charge of the Ecclesiarchy? I know he started with the Administratum, but before Sebastian Thor started rabble-rousing I thought he was a well-accepted, if bloody insane, diabolical and violent, Ecclesiarch.

 

He took control of the Ecclesiarchy after offing the last Ecclesiarch. Yes he was Ecclesiarch but he was only in that position because of political and military power play (he invaded Ophelia +insert proper number here+). A great deal of the prior leadership was gotten rid of, iirc, and their successors were loyal to Vandire alone. 

 

Perhaps the Conflagrators did not know this at the time, though, and were staunchly in favour of a powerful and forthright Ecclesiarch. Then, at some point of the next seventy years, they realise he's a fraud (or so they would characterise it) and begin thinking that his reach goes too far. They would feel betrayed, lied to, falsely led. It would be they that took the first open move against Vandirist factions in the Liber Cluster, heedless of the implications should they be alone in their actions.