The Liber Cluster

[deathspectersgt7]

Codicer Malik you are being Seconded to the Deathwatch the continued pranks ( hot foots ) on your Brothers and the Chapter serfs must end .Just maybe you will learn discipline from the Masters of the Watch. And it would do the All-Seers a chance to work with the others of the Liber.

 

Yes Lord I will bring Honor for the Chapter( the smile on Maliks face grew: this is going to be fun)

[Nomus Sardauk]

 

Well if the Judges want to have at the Kindred they'll have to reckon with us, the Lord Marshall has seen the injustices inflicted upon the Blackjaw by the Conflagrators and considers the Kin well within their rights to be enraged. If we can reason with them and peacefully return them to the fold then we shall, and those who wronged them so hideously will answer for it.

 

The Lord Marshall remembers well how enthusiastically the sons of Cardinalis supported Vandire before they realised their error, if they think they can make the rest of the Cluster forget this by savaging their overly-trusting cousins, then they are sorely mistaken.

 

Begone, Redcoat. A Sentinel would do well to not get involved in a dispute that isn't his. The Conflagrators are ever righteous, and shall fight in His name until the stars themselves grow cold. We bow to no deceiver and shall pluck out the eyes of those who saw fit to mislead us. There they will hang, blinded and burned, from the stakes raised by the orange-clad.

 

And we savaged no-one - the grudge they bear is with the Doomed. But already they have drawn blood-for-blood. To others the matter could already be settled. Do they seek to reopen old wounds? To pursue dusty grievances? Then so be it. Spit at a Conflagrator and you shall get a bolter round in return. 

 

 

Mind your tongue zealot, a Scarlet Sentinel shall involve himself in a situation he judges may endanger the safety of this Cluster, as is our Emperor-given duty. Savaged no-one? Hmph, indeed, you only assaulted their homeworld, took the Kin's most sacred relics, and every vial of gene-seed you could find before destroying your prize them from orbit. The genetic and historical life-blood of the Chapter, atomized, all to wash away your guilt of supporting the damned usurper.

 

Though admittedly you are correct in that the blame does not lie solely at your feet, overjoyed though we are for their return, the Doomsayers too shall be called to account for their actions.

 

So again, hold your tongue Conflagrator, lest I relieve you of it.

[Conn Eremon]

My last bit might need some clarification. There are those of us, such as Vesper and Incinerator, whose contributions lie well in advance of the when that I am proposing we hold ourselves to. I am also concerned that the thread might stagnate if we force ourselves to something that we have all hit mental roadblocks on. That is the main reason why I was letting the Cluster be expanded upon at all points and times, as each contributor wills. But the confusion on what is happening and when seems to be growing, and I don't want anyone who has yet to be involved get turned away because of that either.

 

So that is why I proposed what I wrote in my last post, and if I get enough positive feedback on that then I will try to make steer the project in that direction. But, as outlets for writer's block and those like Vesper and Incinerator, I won't block off the rest of the Cluster for expansion. If you have nothing to provide to the Reclamation of the Cluster, you are free to expand elsewhere. But we might be better served if we make it more clear when the expansion is occurring. My latest contributions had dates at the very beginning. We can go with that as a standard, or people can do their own thing, but so long as the when can be easily discerned.

 

Once again, though, I am not saying that this will be so as of now, by the power of being OP and all that. I want to hear from the rest of you if you all think this is a good idea or not, and I am open to alternatives.

[deathspectersgt7]

Sounds good to me 

[Ace Debonair]

Hmm.

This is working out more perfectly than I'd imagined.

 

Now, in character:

 

The Aetheric Swords won't raise a hand against the Kindred unless the Blackjaws provoke them.

 

The Doomsayers, as welcome as it is to once agains see their colours fly within the Cluster, overstepped their bounds - their actions in boarding the Kindred's ships are tantamount to drawing arms within a Fortress Monastery, a sin that flies in the face of any brotherhood.

 

For what it's worth, however, the Aetheric Swords will send half their Conclave delegation (five guys, in other words) in search of the Blackjaw Kindred for negotiation, in the hopes that a full-blown civil war can be averted. (I realise this attempt will probably be doomed, but the Chapter really needs to have made the attempt for my later plans to work out.)

 

The resulting friction caused by the Swords' forceful neutrality towards the Kindred is a perfect excuse for several Chapters to not overly concern themselves with aiding the Aetheric Swords when Grennarch comes under siege.

 

I absolutely cannot wait to write the epilogue to that battle now.

 

Sanguinius Reborn:

The Scarlet Sentinels are supposed to dislike the Eagles of Glory, not be joined to them at the hip.

You'll get your chance to show those traitors what for, old scout, just not in the same battle.

[Wade Garrett]

Well, I was thinking that the very nature of the Circle system would allow me (and anyone else who wants to contribute) to walk several paths at once with the Kin.

 

For starters, when either the hunters or the "Guys? Can't we talk about this?" contingent turn up at Vigil, they find the Fortress Monastery deserted, with the the only sign it was ever inhabited being the sculpts of Marines from the other Liber Chapters in the former Temple of Jonson.

 

Each has had one of the power falxes the Blackjaws were gifted by the now lost Sons of Calderon thrust through it.

 

I was thinking that each least two Circles, probably those that bore the brunt of the Conflagrators fury during the Days of Unshed Tears and whose veterans have been nursing that hate for centuries, would launch a full blown vengeance crusade against the Conflagrators and the All Seers.

 

(The Dreadnaught's speech to the returned All Seers about "My brothers, let us crusade against the renegades and heretics infesting the Sector together!" was taken by the Kin in a somewhat different manner than I believe was intended.)

[Tiberius Cato]

Forgive the double post, but I've been thinking over some details for the battle featuring the Aetheric Swords and the Eagles of Glory.

 

I haven't picked a world for this to take place on, and it's really only a possible outline, but, here's what I'm picturing for the flow of the battle.

 

 

 

* Imperial Guard stalled by Sereiki Lions and their mortal allies putting up a superb defence strategy - lots of tricks, traps and artillery barrages.

 

* Loyalists start losing men fast when a fresh batch of the Lions' forces arrive from off-world and essentially pen the Imperial forces between two horrifyingly effective killing fields.

 

* With the potential to lose seven good regiments of men and machines to the Lions, the call for help is sent out by the guard, and answered by the Aetheric Swords, who still sore over their previous loss to the Lions.

 

* The Swords get the drop on the Lions' reinforcements, turning their lovely entrenched killing ground into an ambush site.

 

* The rest of the Lions, on the other side of the battered and demoralised Guardsmen, start a colossal artillery strike, doing some damage to the Swords, who regroup for another attack.

 

*The Eagles of Glory drop in, rally the surviving loyalist Guard, and crash into the Lions' forces in a decisive charge while they're frantically trying to bury the Aetheric Swords with firepower.

 

* The Swords, in turn, arrive in time for the final stage of the battle, where the Imperial forces sweep up.

 

* After-battle Captain-to-Captain banter, oaths of brotherhood, exchange of arms etc etc.

 

Sound good, or am I off-target?

I think the Eagles coming in and rallying the forces of the Imperium is a good idea. I forsee it as the Astra Militarum is sitting in their fortified position holding out against the Lions while the Swords whittle away at the renegade forces; then out of nowhere land raiders and tanks and orbital ordinance blindsides the Lions, forcing them to retreat a bit and consolidate their position. The Eagles take advantage of this and further press with their charge, inspiring the guardsmen to arms. The Swords may or may not be appreciative of the suprise entrance by the Eagles, it probably depends on how their forces are faring at that point.

 

Just some thoughts. If you like them then run with them as you please, otherwise disregard them. ^_^

[incinerator950]

Oh, can you keep those Vandire starforts around or lost instead of destroyed?

 

I can think of a few good uses for them before I take the Wartorn back to the Eye in a few thousand years.

[helterskelter]

Ace, The doomsayers boarded everyone. So although the kin acted in a most violent manner, I expect others to be upset personally. Namely anyone who takes pride in their void warfare department :p just to clarify I may have missed a post on the EWC, can anyone remind me what my bit is please?

[Ace Debonair]

Oh. I misread that, I guess!

In that case the Doomsayers really overstepped their bounds and should be extremely grateful the other Chapters took it as graciously as they did.

 

Bit of a faux-pas on the Doomsayer's part, from the Aetheric Swords' viewpoint.

 

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

On a different note, I have some questions about the Liber Conclave itself.

More to the point, I'm going to describe what I've been imagining, and if anyone's been thinking something different, then I need you to speak up and correct me.

 

I've been working under the assumption that the Conclave is set on a world or moon somewhere away from the homeworlds of the Chapters, and has representatives from each Chapter assigned to it, with the intent of co-ordinating missions, discussing threats, and making sure each Chapter is treated equally and fairly (for a given value of equally and fairly).

 

Appearance-wise, I'm thinking along the lines of Roman Senate IN SPACE with Power Armour rather than robes and sandals.

 

The representatives in the Conclave vary greatly from Chapter to Chapter. In some cases perhaps it is even the Master of the Chapter himself who speaks for his brothers in the Conclave. In others, perhaps the duty is given to a member of their First Company. Others still might send a squad or two from various companies, and so forth. Some Chapters might even consider taking a post at the Conclave a penance!

 

Alongside the Chapter Representatives, there'd be sundry Imperial Generals and Admirals, a speaker for the Saneslau Mechanicus, and other notable forces, (such as Inquisitors) are bound to have a place at the Conclave. All within are treated as equals, no matter their standing outside the Conclave.

-=-=-=-=-=

 

Well, what does everyone think?

Am I on the right lines, or barking up the wrong tree?

[Olis]

I don't see the Lords Inviolate being willing to pursue peaceable solutions with the Kindred after this incident. I honestly saw the Lords as being wary of their strange ways and peculiar origins. The Lords will put pressure on the Cluster to label the Kindred excommunicate traitoris. And they will endeavor to get the other Liberites to gang up on the Kindred.

 

So, the way I see it as of now, the Kindred are going down (and the real me is going "awww maaaan" at this), and hard. They do have the ability to survive. They can go renegade, and inevitably fall to Chaos, or make a last stand.

 

If the Scarlet Sentinels decide to back them on this, then they are going to be hit hard too. They don't need to fall alongside the Kindred, but I do see a Penitence Crusade in their future (hey, go clear out the Deep for us. Come back in a century, if there are any of you left).

 

The same holds true for any other Chapter that so chooses to stand next to the Kindred. And that is good. Chapters put a lot of weight on bonds of brotherhood, and sworn oaths bind them more strongly than anything else. Any war against the Kindred will be affected by this. From Chapters that are willing to ally against the Liberites, to Liberites that allow their actions to be influenced, such as allowing for a retreat to pulling their blows or even refusing to be involved.

 

Anyway, this is just my take on how this seems to be logically playing out. I don't really see it playing out any differently than essentially what we have seen of Badab.

 

Does anyone think differently?

 

I think what you've said makes sense, however there is one 'what if' that I can think of - what if... more chapters side with the Kindred than side against them? Not that I'm saying this has a good chance from happening but it is a possibility. It would turn an unfortunate incident into a bloody civil war. 

 

Also - what would happen to marines from opposing sides that operate in the same Deathwatch team?   

 

Now, all that said, does anyone think that this project would benefit for more structure on what can be expanded upon? What I mean is, should we restrict ourselves to progressing the timeline in order, with the only exceptions to this self-limitation being general, broad strokes of lore such as expansions on planets, sub-sectors, the Chapters and the like?

 

If so, then we will focus first on finishing off the Reclamation, from the EWC to the Vandire conflicts. Everything after that can be out on hold for now, to be finished when we get to it on the timeline.

 

My last bit might need some clarification. There are those of us, such as Vesper and Incinerator, whose contributions lie well in advance of the when that I am proposing we hold ourselves to. I am also concerned that the thread might stagnate if we force ourselves to something that we have all hit mental roadblocks on. That is the main reason why I was letting the Cluster be expanded upon at all points and times, as each contributor wills. But the confusion on what is happening and when seems to be growing, and I don't want anyone who has yet to be involved get turned away because of that either.

 

So that is why I proposed what I wrote in my last post, and if I get enough positive feedback on that then I will try to make steer the project in that direction. But, as outlets for writer's block and those like Vesper and Incinerator, I won't block off the rest of the Cluster for expansion. If you have nothing to provide to the Reclamation of the Cluster, you are free to expand elsewhere. But we might be better served if we make it more clear when the expansion is occurring. My latest contributions had dates at the very beginning. We can go with that as a standard, or people can do their own thing, but so long as the when can be easily discerned.

 

Once again, though, I am not saying that this will be so as of now, by the power of being OP and all that. I want to hear from the rest of you if you all think this is a good idea or not, and I am open to alternatives.

 

I think we could benefit with a little more structure than we currently have. I have been itching to develop my Conflagrators further (see: what being one of the Devoted is and what it means). I have also been waiting to see what assignment you would spring on us next. ;)

 

 

 

Well if the Judges want to have at the Kindred they'll have to reckon with us, the Lord Marshall has seen the injustices inflicted upon the Blackjaw by the Conflagrators and considers the Kin well within their rights to be enraged. If we can reason with them and peacefully return them to the fold then we shall, and those who wronged them so hideously will answer for it.

 

The Lord Marshall remembers well how enthusiastically the sons of Cardinalis supported Vandire before they realised their error, if they think they can make the rest of the Cluster forget this by savaging their overly-trusting cousins, then they are sorely mistaken.

 

Begone, Redcoat. A Sentinel would do well to not get involved in a dispute that isn't his. The Conflagrators are ever righteous, and shall fight in His name until the stars themselves grow cold. We bow to no deceiver and shall pluck out the eyes of those who saw fit to mislead us. There they will hang, blinded and burned, from the stakes raised by the orange-clad.

 

And we savaged no-one - the grudge they bear is with the Doomed. But already they have drawn blood-for-blood. To others the matter could already be settled. Do they seek to reopen old wounds? To pursue dusty grievances? Then so be it. Spit at a Conflagrator and you shall get a bolter round in return. 

 

 

Mind your tongue zealot, a Scarlet Sentinel shall involve himself in a situation he judges may endanger the safety of this Cluster, as is our Emperor-given duty. Savaged no-one? Hmph, indeed, you only assaulted their homeworld, took the Kin's most sacred relics, and every vial of gene-seed you could find before destroying your prize them from orbit. The genetic and historical life-blood of the Chapter, atomized, all to wash away your guilt of supporting the damned usurper.

 

Though admittedly you are correct in that the blame does not lie solely at your feet, overjoyed though we are for their return, the Doomsayers too shall be called to account for their actions.

 

So again, hold your tongue Conflagrator, lest I relieve you of it.

 

So you seek to dig up history, eh? Do the Kin play your heart strings so well that you do their bidding, too? They would not admit as much but the Kindred received a just and necessary scourging for their sins. The Emperor Himself visited Remis, and bade him to purge the taint from his wayward sons. Remis himself would attest to this, were he still alive. 

 

We have no guilt - to accuse us of it misunderstands our nature. Zeal is it's own reward after all. Now, Redcoat, you speak of taking my tongue. You can try. 

 

Hmm.

This is working out more perfectly than I'd imagined.

 

Now, in character:

 

The Aetheric Swords won't raise a hand against the Kindred unless the Blackjaws provoke them.

 

The Doomsayers, as welcome as it is to once agains see their colours fly within the Cluster, overstepped their bounds - their actions in boarding the Kindred's ships are tantamount to drawing arms within a Fortress Monastery, a sin that flies in the face of any brotherhood.

 

For what it's worth, however, the Aetheric Swords will send half their Conclave delegation (five guys, in other words) in search of the Blackjaw Kindred for negotiation, in the hopes that a full-blown civil war can be averted. (I realise this attempt will probably be doomed, but the Chapter really needs to have made the attempt for my later plans to work out.)

 

The resulting friction caused by the Swords' forceful neutrality towards the Kindred is a perfect excuse for several Chapters to not overly concern themselves with aiding the Aetheric Swords when Grennarch comes under siege.

 

I, for one, welcome the attempt at negotiations (and I'm speaking as myself, rather than a Conflagrator). We can't have bolter porn all the time - some intrigue is nice. Some Game of Thrones-style intrigue is nicer still. ;)

 

I was thinking that each least two Circles, probably those that bore the brunt of the Conflagrators fury during the Days of Unshed Tears and whose veterans have been nursing that hate for centuries, would launch a full blown vengeance crusade against the Conflagrators and the All Seers.

 

Days of Unshed Tears, eh? Sounds dramatic. ^_^

 

(The Dreadnaught's speech to the returned All Seers about "My brothers, let us crusade against the renegades and heretics infesting the Sector together!" was taken by the Kin in a somewhat different manner than I believe was intended.)

 

I think you meant the Doomsayers, right?

 

just to clarify I may have missed a post on the EWC, can anyone remind me what my bit is please?

 

The last I looked, you and the All-Seers (deathspectersgt7) had a joint attack to make on the first round of battles in the EWC. After that, I can't recall anything.

 

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

On a different note, I have some questions about the Liber Conclave itself.

More to the point, I'm going to describe what I've been imagining, and if anyone's been thinking something different, then I need you to speak up and correct me.

 

I've been working under the assumption that the Conclave is set on a world or moon somewhere away from the homeworlds of the Chapters, and has representatives from each Chapter assigned to it, with the intent of co-ordinating missions, discussing threats, and making sure each Chapter is treated equally and fairly (for a given value of equally and fairly).

 

Appearance-wise, I'm thinking along the lines of Roman Senate IN SPACE with Power Armour rather than robes and sandals.

 

The representatives in the Conclave vary greatly from Chapter to Chapter. In some cases perhaps it is even the Master of the Chapter himself who speaks for his brothers in the Conclave. In others, perhaps the duty is given to a member of their First Company. Others still might send a squad or two from various companies, and so forth. Some Chapters might even consider taking a post at the Conclave a penance!

 

Alongside the Chapter Representatives, there'd be sundry Imperial Generals and Admirals, a speaker for the Saneslau Mechanicus, and other notable forces, (such as Inquisitors) are bound to have a place at the Conclave. All within are treated as equals, no matter their standing outside the Conclave.

-=-=-=-=-=

 

Well, what does everyone think?

Am I on the right lines, or barking up the wrong tree?

 

I imagine a similar thing. To clarify - the Conclave I have recently written about was intended as something more akin to the Conclave at Gathalamor rather than the centennial gatherings somewhere at the centre of the Liber Cluster. Beyond that, I hadn't considered much more but it'd be a good springboard for an intended crusade (which by the sounds of it will turn into an inter-chapter conflict instead).

[Ace Debonair]

That might be the other big difference - I pictured the Conclave as a permanent thing, with members coming and going as required by their Chapters.

 

It'd be like a hub of intelligence reports, grand strategy and magnificent co-operation when it works correctly.

(And a terrific platform for confrontation when things go sour, too. )

 

...If we do go with a permanent Conclave, I'm starting to think the Lords Inviolate might well have to station a Reserve Company (or at least maybe half a company?) in the vicinity to maintain order and security, though!

On the other hand, it could help flesh out more of the Lords Inviolate's duties as First Amongst Equals and give them plenty of opportunity for some characters to take charge.

 

Again, I don't know if I'm way off-track with this suggestion or if it's actually a good idea disguised as me rambling, so some other viewpoints would be much appreciated.

[Dizzyeye01]

I like the idea of it being Permanent Conclave at least with the side of the Chapters. I imagine people like Inquisitors and Imperial Guard Representatives coming when they need the support of a chapter or bringing an important issue up, like the reports we've been putting in. 

[deathspectersgt7]

Helter Skelter see #918 since I was overly confident that the forces the All-Seers had on hand without Titan support and lack of coordination with the Doomsayers. With heavy losses from Astartes and the Guard they disengaged and Bombarded the Main spire from orbit. leaving the Doomsayers on their own with a Lions Fleet breaking from the Warp.

[Olis]

Guess who's baaack?

Yes, it's a Lord inquisitor image scalped from FB. I couldn't NOT use it. And, no, it's not the Doomsayers. I'll give you a couple of clues:

1) They've been quiet for a while (both in-thread and in-universe).
and
2) Last time we saw them, they weren't too much of a threat (but could still do damage).

++Pict Capture from the heavy frigate Pride and Joy, patrolling the warp routes bordering The Deep. The ship was lost with all hands.++

[Tiberius Cato]

I'm going to guess it's either the Black Judges or the Blades of the Lion. The name of the heavy frigate is throwing me though.

[Dizzyeye01]

If you're talking about the Sereiki Lions (Forgive incorrect spelling if incorrect) then I did mention a small force of them going rogue. Hmm...

[Olis]

If you're talking about the Sereiki Lions (Forgive incorrect spelling if incorrect) then I did mention a small force of them going rogue. Hmm...

 

You're warm, brother, but it's not Sereiki Lions proper. 

[Dizzyeye01]

Another rogue faction?! Bring in the Copyright guy! I totally did that first! 

[Conn Eremon]

Another rogue faction?! Bring in the Copyright guy! I totally did that first!

And neither of you will be the last. :devil:

 

Unless the group Olisredan is referring to is the same one I have plans for and started messaging Ace about. In which case I will be one sad koala.

[Olis]

 

Another rogue faction?! Bring in the Copyright guy! I totally did that first!

And neither of you will be the last.

 

Unless the group Olisredan is referring to is the same one I have plans for and started messaging Ace about. In which case I will be one sad koala.

 

Well... are you able to tell me (here or in PM) which group you intend plans for? 

[Dizzyeye01]

Well I do imagine the Lions being really big, meaning when the end days were coming for them some sub commanders went   this and ran off to forge their own little empire or go back into the Merc business

[incinerator950]

I don't exist yet, so...

grabs popcorn

[Conn Eremon]

 

 

 

Another rogue faction?! Bring in the Copyright guy! I totally did that first!

And neither of you will be the last.

 

Unless the group Olisredan is referring to is the same one I have plans for and started messaging Ace about. In which case I will be one sad koala.

Well... are you able to tell me (here or in PM) which group you intend plans for?

Can you PM me? I only told Ace because it heavily involved one of his major contributions and I was hoping for some collaboration.

[Ace Debonair]

I don't exist yet, so...

grabs popcorn

 

This... is the most zen post on the whole B&C.

Either I've missed something or you have a remarkably profound world-view!

 

 

Olis:

Is that the Untaken (I think that's what they were called? ) I see coming back for another round?