The Liber Cluster

[Conn Eremon]

Depends on when the article is set. If this is your typical snapshot at the close of the 41st Millennium, then it's been almost five thousand years since the EWC.

[Teetengee]

Depends on when the article is set. If this is your typical snapshot at the close of the 41st Millennium, then it's been almost five thousand years since the EWC.

And if so, should probably include some other interesting battles... As the EWC is only one of many.

[Ace Debonair]

Good work on the Blades so far guys Only thing is I am not a massive fan of the colour changes for specialists - I would keep it traditional myself but if you guys think it fits then keep it

For completeness' sake and the evaluation of the forum; the more traditional options:

 

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/sm.php?b62c=@hIAEG_hCmX3.iakk7@@@@@@@iaj0o@.@@..@@@@@@@@@@@_iaj2F_iaj2F@@@@@@@@@@__@@@@@@@@@@@@@__&grid=TRUEhttp://www.bolterandchainsword.com/sm.php?b62c=@hr3uf_hCmX3.iakk7@@@@@@@hJ9Lc@.@@..@@@@@@@@@@@_iaj2F_iaj2F@@@@@@@@@@__@@@@@@@@@@@@@__&grid=TRUE

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/sm.php?b62c=@haLvy_hCmX3.iakk7@@@@@@@hJ9Lc@.@@..@@@@@@@@@@@_iaj2F_iaj2F@@@@@@@@@@__@@@@@@@@@@@@@__&grid=TRUEhttp://www.bolterandchainsword.com/sm.php?b62c=@iakk7_hCmX3.iaj2F@@@@@@@hJ9Lc@@@@__@@@@@@@@@@@_._.@@@@@@@@@@__@@@@@@@@@@@@@__&grid=TRUE

 

EDIT:

With regards to the notable battle section I volunteered - with the best will in the world, I can't exactly summarize the bits of the Blades' History that we haven't written about yet!

 

Perhaps it'd make the most sense to update that particular section in the future, once the Liber Cluster project is concluded.

Edited June 4, 2015 by Ace Debonair

[Olis]

I think Ace's second attempt looks better, tbh. 

[Teetengee]

Seconded for the second.

[Conn Eremon]

Thirded for the third! Wait . . .

 

Ace, the only structure this project has been given was the EWC. There's nothing preventing you or anyone else from finishing that portion of the article. In fact, it could be useful, as it would provide the summarized framework within which a more complete account could eventually be given.

[Teetengee]

continuing battle honours:

 

Throughout the centuries in the cluster, the Blades have continued to be fierce warriors against renegade space marines. Although mostly engaged in probing the Deep during the Age of Apostasy, they were noted for their conviction in hunting down rogue elements of the Blackjaw Kindred during the Burning Brothers Schism.

 

Additionally Blades have seen heavy combat in most of the Black Legion's Shadow Marches in the cluster. Of particular note was the actions against the traitorous Angels Exultant chapter during the March of Ghosts, when the Unyielding Hate and the company of marines on board managed to destroy several times their own number even when confronted with the haunting spectres of their own dead obfuscating the enemy. For their actions during this battle, their leader was posthumously granted the Liber Falx by the Council, which has been handed down within the third company ever since.

 

feel free to do with that what you will.

Edited June 4, 2015 by Teetengee

[Ace Debonair]

Ace, the only structure this project has been given was the EWC. There's nothing preventing you or anyone else from finishing that portion of the article. In fact, it could be useful, as it would provide the summarized framework within which a more complete account could eventually be given.

 

Oh.

In that case, bear with me a moment...

 

 

Battle Honours (revisited):

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

 

The Blades of the Lion have taken part is innumerable conflicts in the furthest reaches of the Liber Cluster. While tales of the Great Hunt are confined strictly to the innermost vaults of this secretive Chapter, there are no shortage of glorious battles the Blades of the Lion have partaken in.

 

During the early years of the Liber Cluster, the Blades of the Lion were notable participants in the Eighteen Worlds Crusade, a bitter, gruelling war waged against a gang of renegade Astartes known as the Sereiki Lions.

 

Perhaps viewing the renegades' choice of name as a personal affront to all scions of the First Legion, the Blades of the Lion took several opportunities to strike at these foes alongside their brother Chapters, notably taking an active part in the purging of Heroda IV alongside the Black Judges and working alongside the Iron Ravagers in the Pacification of Tonagish.

 

Under the guidance of the Lion's Eye, however, The Blades of the Lion also turned to more covert actions, seeking to ascertain the true nature of the leaders of this warband. Thus, the Chapter's Reserve Companies found themselves being carefully deployed away from the primary battlefronts, fighting several low-key engagements at remote outposts to starve the traitors of valuable intelligence reports, isolate key figures in the enemy's leadership chain, or deprive the foe of useful resources such as recruitment grounds. Though the exact details of these missions have not yet come to light, the few outsiders that know of them simply see it as the Blades working hard to serve the Imperium.

 

Equally, the Blades of the Lion found themselves much involved in the Inquisition's 'shadow war' against the secretive, anti-Imperial organisation known as Penumbra. Shadows, secrets and lies are in many ways familiar to the Unforgiven, and the Blades of the Lion were skilled at seeing through the ruses and schemes Penumbra used to veil their presence.

 

Though much of the details of the Blades' participation in this conflict is either lost to time or deliberately erased, their willingness to lend aid earned the Blades of the Lion not only much goodwill from local Inquisitors, but saw a great many Penumbra operatives detained aboard the Chapter's Fleet, at the leisure of the Inner Circle.

 

The Blades of the Lion have also been at the forefront of combat against traitor marines over the centuries - taking action against rogue elements of the Blackjaw Kindred during the Burning Brothers Schism and clashing with the Black Legion and their minions during the events known as the Shadow Marches. Of particular note were the Blades' actions against the traitorous Angels Exultant chapter during the March of Ghosts, when the Unyielding Hate and the company of marines on board managed to destroy several times their own number even when confronted with the haunting spectres of their own dead obfuscating the enemy. For their actions during this battle, their leader was posthumously granted the Liber Falx by the Council, which has been handed down within the third company ever since.

 

More recently, the Blades have fought alongside the Scarlet Sentinels and Lords Inviolate against the seemingly-inexorable traitor horde known as the Ghoulknights of Throskaar, and their ninth Company was amongst those who made a desperate stand at Scythia against Waaagh Roksmasha. In each of these conflicts, the Blades of the Lion remained stoic, steadfast and resolute to their duty, demonstrating honour and valour worthy of the Lion himself.

 

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

 

Added Teetengee's stuff too, and hopefully I can be forgiven for cutting the odd word out and reshaping bits.

And by the Throne, The March of Ghosts is an AMAZING name for a battle.

 

As for the new bits, I figured we could use an apparently unstoppable horde of Nurgle Black Knights in our future, possibly with Dark Mechanicus support or something else funky and cool.

 

... And maybe I just put the Black Falcon's homeworld in the path of a major ork Waagh, but only because I really want to see more of these guys in action.

 

EDIT:

Damnable typos sighted and purged with much zeal and vigour.

Edited June 5, 2015 by Ace Debonair

[Nomus Sardauk]

 

Added Teetengee's stuff too, and hopefully I can be forgiven for cutting the odd word out and reshaping bits.

And by the Throne, The March of Ghosts is an AMAZING name for a battle.

 

As for the new bits, I figured we could use an apparently unstoppable horde of Nurgle Black Knights in our future, possibly with Dark Mechanicus support or something else funky and cool.

 

... And maybe I just put the Black Falcon's homeworld in the path of a major ork Waagh, but only because I really want to see more of these guys in action.

 

EDIT:

Damnable typos sighted and purged with much zeal and vigour.

 

 

The March of Ghosts... Emperor's teeth, that is good! So the Lords, Blades and Sentinels are taking on an army of Nurglite Knights? Hmm, I wonder what it looks like when one of those gets hit by a pin-point Lance Strike fired from orbit?

 

And the Black Falcons are getting a faceful of Waaaagh!!! are they? Poor buggers, the galaxy does seem to delight in beating on them... Wait, hang on, I'm getting a brainwave. Depending on the timeframe, what if the Ork Warboss leading this Waagh was the same one who lead the fleet the Falcons smashed when they first came to the cluster, back for revenge?

[Olis]

And the Black Falcons are getting a faceful of Waaaagh!!! are they? Poor buggers, the galaxy does seem to delight in beating on them... Wait, hang on, I'm getting a brainwave. Depending on the timeframe, what if the Ork Warboss leading this Waagh was the same one who lead the fleet the Falcons smashed when they first came to the cluster, back for revenge?

I think the timeframe might not be favourable, if the IA is set in 'modern' 41st millennium times... But the sound of 'Rokcrusha's Revenge' ('Rockcrusha: The Revengening'?) could be good for an event sometime in after the EWC. Maybe it could be around the same time as the shenanigans with the Untaken?

 

 

Any chance we could call that greenskin 'Rocksmasha'? Bit of a brain-fart I liked - Just a thought. ^_^

Edited June 4, 2015 by Olis

[Teetengee]

As for the March of Ghosts (originally intended as a campaign, one of the Shadow Marches, similar to mini black crusades for more specific purposes, although I like it better as the name of a battle, although perhaps Shadow Marches should then be renamed. but whatever, we will deal with that later.) it just occured to me that perhaps the posthumous award was for at least some posthumous valour, the captain's soul being trapped and reanimated like the others, but somehow overcoming those bonds and leading some of the blades, orat least the dead ones back against the enemy ala lotr. Just some random thoughts, and I am glad you guys like the name.

[Conn Eremon]

I rather like the name of the Shadow Marches, as a Liber Cluster variant of the Black Crusades.

 

Perhaps the March of Ghosts was a onetime variant, sort of like how not all of the Black Crusades were Abaddon's.

 

But I haven't actually red the fluff piece itself yet, so I might be offbase.

[Teetengee]

I rather like the name of the Shadow Marches, as a Liber Cluster variant of the Black Crusades.

 

Perhaps the March of Ghosts was a onetime variant, sort of like how not all of the Black Crusades were Abaddon's.

 

But I haven't actually red the fluff piece itself yet, so I might be offbase.

That is basically what I was thinking.

 

I figured the Marches would end up being named March of X or Y March. But if that is the case or not is up to others.

[Grand Master Belial]

BLADES OF THE LION (95% Complete)

http://i.imgur.com/rwszq0A.jpg

+ + + ORANGE AREAS TO BE REVIEWED AND FINALIZED + + +

Hidden Content

SUMMARY:
▪ GENE-SEED (PREDECESSOR) – Dark Angels
▪ FOUNDING - 21st "Cursed" Founding
▪ CHAPTER MASTER - Jurn Reven-Wold
▪ CHAPTER WORLD – NONE (Fleet Based)
▪ FORTRESS MONASTERY - Battle Barge "Legacy of the First"
▪ MAIN COLOURS – Gray and Bone
▪ SPECIALITY - Quick Strike Force
▪ BATTLE CRY – “Unsheath the Blades!” Response – “And Let the Lions Roar!”
▪ CURRENT STRENGTH - 786
▪ KNOWN DESCENDANTS - None

ORIGINS:
The Blades of the Lion are a crusading, fleet based Chapter currently located in the Liber Cluster. The Blades are Dark Angels successors from an ancient founding who prefer to fight alone which has almost doomed them several times since they were created, they are prideful and will never ask for assistance even if they know they are doomed. Without a homeworld the Blades roam the Cluster in their Strike Cruisers attacking pirate and xenos strongholds wherever they find them, either dropping from the skies in drop pods or tearing through enemy ships in brutal boarding actions. Their leaders are master tacticians and take pride in surrounding the enemy and seeing utterly annihilated. The Chapter has a history of battling Orks in the Liber Cluster, matching the prowess of their bike mounted warriors against the Ork mechanized hordes but it is against Traitor Space Marines that the Blades fight the fiercest. The Blades are able to fully test their mettle when fighting foes comparable to themselves and relish believing themselves to be utterly superior to anything that isn’t a Space Marine.

To outsiders, the Blades of the Lion appear to strike at random then disappear into the void afterwards but in reality they are being guided by their Librarians who believe they are receiving visions from their Primarch in pursuit of the “Great Hunt”. Their Chaplains work alongside the Librarians in deciphering the visions and interrogating prisoners to find their next target. It is unfortunate if any of these visions strike during a battle as the Blades may suddenly redeploy before their quarry escapes – this makes the Blades a sometimes-unreliable asset in a large campaign but if they have the numbers they will endeavor to leave some marines behind so their allies are not overwhelmed.

The Blades will recruit from wherever they can, the Cluster is large enough for them to have plenty of recruiting worlds to choose from but they do not lay claim to any specifically. Once an initiate is taken in they are mind wiped and they will only know the Chapter. The “Great Hunt” is known by all of the Blades but only the high ranking marines know exactly what the Hunt is actually trying to achieve, the commanders know that the targets they hunt are the forever cursed Fallen. The rest of the Blades believe they are hunting traitors to the Emperor and are not aware that their targets were once or are still Dark Angel Legionnaires.

The Blades of the Lion are not trusted by most of the Liberite Chapters due to their isolationist attitude and tendencies to withdraw from combat without a word. The Blades rarely attend a Liberite Conclave but when they do their words are seldom ignored when planning assaults yet they will never offer themselves to be the lynchpin of a campaign, the risk of duty to the Imperium and the secret shame of the Great Hunt could spell disaster.

CHAPTER HOME WORLD:
The Blades of the Lion are a crusading, fleet based Chapter currently located in the Liber Cluster.

PRESENT ACTIVITIES:
The Blades of the Lion are Currently active in the Liber Cluster in pursuit of the “Great Hunt.” The Blades rarely attend a Liberite Conclave but when they do their words are seldom ignored when planning assaults yet they will never offer themselves to be the lynchpin of a campaign, the risk of duty to the Imperium and the secret shame of the Great Hunt could spell disaster.

BATTLE HONORS:
The Blades of the Lion have taken part is innumerable conflicts in the furthest reaches of the Liber Cluster. While tales of the Great Hunt are confined strictly to the innermost vaults of this secretive Chapter, there are no shortage of glorious battles the Blades of the Lion have partaken in.

During the early years of the Liber Cluster, the Blades of the Lion were notable participants in the Eighteen Worlds Crusade, a bitter, gruelling war waged against a gang of renegade Astartes known as the Sereiki Lions.

Perhaps viewing the renegades' choice of name as a personal affront to all scions of the First Legion, the Blades of the Lion took several opportunities to strike at these foes alongside their brother Chapters, notably taking an active part in the purging of Heroda IV alongside the Black Judges and working alongside the Iron Ravagers in the Pacification of Tonagish.

Under the guidance of the Lion's Eye, however, The Blades of the Lion also turned to more covert actions, seeking to ascertain the true nature of the leaders of this warband. Thus, the Chapter's Reserve Companies found themselves being carefully deployed away from the primary battlefronts, fighting several low-key engagements at remote outposts to starve the traitors of valuable intelligence reports, isolate key figures in the enemy's leadership chain, or deprive the foe of useful resources such as recruitment grounds. Though the exact details of these missions have not yet come to light, the few outsiders that know of them simply see it as the Blades working hard to serve the Imperium.

Equally, the Blades of the Lion found themselves much involved in the Inquisition's 'shadow war' against the secretive, anti-Imperial organisation known as Penumbra. Shadows, secrets and lies are in many ways familiar to the Unforgiven, and the Blades of the Lion were skilled at seeing through the ruses and schemes Penumbra used to veil their presence.

Though much of the details of the Blades' participation in this conflict is either lost to time or deliberately erased, their willingness to lend aid earned the Blades of the Lion not only much goodwill from local Inquisitors, but saw a great many Penumbra operatives detained aboard the Chapter's Fleet, at the leisure of the Inner Circle.

The Blades of the Lion have also been at the forefront of combat against traitor marines over the centuries - taking action against rogue elements of the Blackjaw Kindred during the Burning Brothers Schism and clashing with the Black Legion and their minions during the events known as the Shadow Marches. Of particular note were the Blades' actions against the traitorous Angels Exultant chapter during the March of Ghosts, when the Unyielding Hate and the company of marines on board managed to destroy several times their own number even when confronted with the haunting spectres of their own dead obfuscating the enemy. For their actions during this battle, their leader was posthumously granted the Liber Falx by the Council, which has been handed down within the third company ever since.

More recently, the Blades have fought alongside the Scarlet Sentinels and Lords Inviolate against the seemingly-inexorable traitor horde known as the Ghoulknights of Throskaar, and their ninth Company was amongst those who made a desperate stand at Scythia against Waaagh Roksmasha. In each of these conflicts, the Blades of the Lion remained stoic, steadfast and resolute to their duty, demonstrating honour and valour worthy of the Lion himself.

CHAPTER ORGANIZATION:
The Blades of the Lion are, in many ways, built on honour and tradition. In few places is this more evident than within the Chapter's organisational structure. Like most Dark Angel successors, the Blades are broadly compliant with the layout advised by the Codex Astartes - ten companies, each a hundred Space Marines strong. It is only on a closer examination that the differences within that organisation become apparent.

Scouts, for example, are not permitted to bear the Chapter's full heraldry; they are instead given plain grey armour with bone pauldrons - enough colour to serve as an identifier of allegiance to the Chapter, but still visually distinct from true Battle-brothers of the Chapter.

Librarians are held in high regard within the Chapter. Their master of the Librarium is sometimes referred to as the Lion's Eye, for it is his counsel that guides the Blades in the Great Hunt. The Lion's Eye is given a very high level of respect, and in terms of authority is considered to rank only just below a Company Captain.

Amongst the rest of the Chapter, the First Company is informally known as the "Kingslayers", for their first campaign in the Liber Cluster saw them destroy a traitor marine known as 'Parsiel, King of Exiles' and his armies. As with the Dark Angels and many of their kin, the First Company is the exclusive home of the Chapter's Tactical Dreadnought Armour. Unlike other scions of Jonson, however, the sheer remoteness of the Liber Cluster from the rest of the Imperium means the Blades of the Lion only have enough functional suits to field three full squads of Terminators. The rest of the "Kingslayer" Company are made up of veteran marines, much like any other Codex Chapter.

The Second Company is almost entirely given over to the use of bikes and landspeeders, and is treated with very much the same respect and deference that the First Company is given. The Second Company is the Chapter's most formidable weapon in the Great Hunt - most frequently deployed as demi-companies alongside other Blades forces, they excel in pursuing and ensnaring fleeing enemies, forcing them to face destruction or capture.

The Blades of the Lion also field three conventional Battle Companies and four codex-approved Reserve Companies, each steeped in proud traditions. In true Dark Angel fashion, only the upper echelons of each Company are aware of the true nature of the Great Hunt, with the truth concealed by layer upon layer of secrecy and careful misdirection.

FLEET ASSETS:
The Blades of the Lion can lay claim to a fairly considerable fleet of ships. Though they have only a limited number of Strike Cruisers and Battle Barges, Chapter Serfs are billeted in a flotilla of smaller, purely non-combat ships that accompany the Blades' vessels like squires attending to a noble knight. Also of note is the Strike Cruiser "Wings of Caliban", which acts as a recruitment vessel for the Blades, constantly scouring the worlds of the Liber Cluster for worthy recruits.

Other notable vessels:

The Bladed Trophy

Lion's Lodge

The Bladed Blind

The Relentless/Restless Hunter

The Calibanite Snare

The Path of Virtue

The Inescapable Hunter

The Herald of Honour

The Oath of Vengeance

The Merciless Wrath

The Lion's Roar

The Pride

RECRUITMENT:
The Blades have been known to recruit from all manner of worlds - factory worlds, feudal worlds, even death worlds. If there is a set pattern to their choice of recruitment worlds, it is known only to the upper echelons of the Chapter. However, one interesting trend is that efforts to find viable recruits always seems to increase in intensity prior to the Blades embarking on the Great Hunt, leading to outsider speculation that perhaps the Chapter's Librarians have some say in where the Wings of Caliban travels.

CHAPTER COLORS:
The Chapter has kept its standard bone and gray color scheme since its founding through all of its companies. There are two areas of difference in the scheme. First is that the Kingslayers have bone in place of the gray on their Terminator armor similar to the Deathwing of the Dark Angels Chapter. The second is that the Scouts have their armor mostly painted gray save for the cauldrons which are the only areas painted bone. To an outsider, there is nothing significant to this scheme. But within the Chapter, the bone signifies their devotion to the Great Hunt even if the object of their Hunt varies. As the Kingslayers have more of the full knowledge behind the Great Hunt, they show more bone in their armor whereas the scouts know hardly anything.

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/sct.php?b62c=@hCmX3_iaj2F.iakk7hozqSi81Yf@__@@@@@@@@@_..@@@@@@@@@@_@@@@@@@@@@@&grid=TRUE

The only other area of deviation is in the specialists of the chapter. Each Specialist has taken up the traditional look of coloring their entire armor to match their specialization. In this way, they symbolize to their brothers that they have left the Great Hunt to follow the path of their specialization.

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/sm.php?b62c=@hIAEG_hCmX3.iakk7@@@@@@@iaj0o@.@@..@@@@@@@@@@@_iaj2F_iaj2F@@@@@@@@@@__@@@@@@@@@@@@@__&grid=TRUEhttp://www.bolterandchainsword.com/sm.php?b62c=@hr3uf_hCmX3.iakk7@@@@@@@hJ9Lc@.@@..@@@@@@@@@@@_iaj2F_iaj2F@@@@@@@@@@__@@@@@@@@@@@@@__&grid=TRUE

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/sm.php?b62c=@haLvy_hCmX3.iakk7@@@@@@@hJ9Lc@.@@..@@@@@@@@@@@_iaj2F_iaj2F@@@@@@@@@@__@@@@@@@@@@@@@__&grid=TRUEhttp://www.bolterandchainsword.com/sm.php?b62c=@iakk7_hCmX3.iaj2F@@@@@@@hJ9Lc@@@@__@@@@@@@@@@@_._.@@@@@@@@@@__@@@@@@@@@@@@@__&grid=TRUE

BATTLE STANDARDS OR CHAPTER BANNERS (OPTIONAL):

(Their icon will either be two crossed swords or a lion and a sword - need to figure that out and get it into their colour scheme).

BATTLE HONORS/RELICS/DECORATIONS/AWARDS:
The Heavenfall Blades:
Each of the chapters descended from the Dark Angels are said to have a small portion of the obsidian meteor, which was used to forge the Heavenfall Blades so that they too might share through steel the legacy of their founders. Many legends surround Harbinger, a sword wielded by high-ranking members of the Blades of the Lion, but at the very least, we know that it is one of these such weapons.

Harbinger is a finely wrought power sword with a large red gem in the center of its cross guard. In addition, built into its hilt is a locator beacon. It is said that the sword often begins to hum and the red gem glows when danger is present, but whether this is just the result of the prudent wielder activating its internal beacon or some gift from the Emperor himself the Blades have never commented on.

COMBAT DOCTRINE:
There is little, in theory, to set the Blades of the Lion apart from other sons of the Lion once they are deployed on the field of battle. Enemies are met with an advancing, unstoppable force of Space Marines who adapt to any combat situation effortlessly, shrugging off enemy attacks and retaliating with punishing force. However, there are a few subtle quirks that make the Blades noteworthy.

The Blades set high value by facing down an enemy in honourable combat, but such honour is usually reserved for only the most veteran squads within a company. Squads of 'lesser standing' in a company are more usually tasked with the more mundane aspects of combat, such as flanking movements or intercepting enemy ambushes, leaving the way clear for the veterans to engage the enemy's strongest forces. Although it is unheard of for a squad of the Blades to directly disobey orders from their Captains, it is quite commonplace for squads of lesser standing to undertake acts of quite singular bravery and heroism on their own initiative to prove their worth and valour to the rest of the Company.

Another notable factor is that any Blades involved with the Great Hunt shed this seemingly ingrained competitive nature entirely. When the Hunt is on, the Blades shun personal honour completely, caring only for the larger victory, which will bring honour and pride to their Primarch and all their kindred.

BATTLE CRY:
“Unsheath the Blades!” Response – “And Let the Lions Roar!”

LOCAL RITUALS:
Tests of the Lion
A tournament held within the chapter, the Tests of the Lion is a series of challenges held throughout the chapter, testing each marines skill with his guns, blades and strategic values. First the marine must face his brothers in his squad before progressing to facing the companies victors before finally facing the rest of the chapters victors. It is a usual sight for the challenges involving other companies to be held during the times where the chapter meets up.

The most recent victor of the Tests, [insert name here] of the # company, is has most recently been labeled as MIA after encounters with the Dark Eldar. If he is still alive, it is most likely he has been thrown into the arenas, to fight to his death.

BELIEFS:
The Blades are arrogant bastards who in their minds cannot be beaten (think Jaime early on in Game of Thrones.)

GENE-SEED:
Dark Angels

CHAMPIONS OF THE CHAPTER:
Brother Javin Gildred, Sworn Champion of the 2nd Company:
When the Great Hunt locates one of the Fallen in the Liber Cluster, the Second Company is the Chapter's first choice to intercept the traitor. Within that company, the task of facing down an armed, dangerous Fallen is almost always given over to their Company Champion, Javin Gildred.

Gildred is a hardened, merciless fighter, skilled in all forms of combat. While most of the Chapter believe Gildred always slays the Hunted, the truth of the matter is that he always leaves them barely alive, that the Chaplains and Chapter Master may set the captured Fallen on the path of repentance.

Gildred seems to harbour an especially strong hate of the Fallen, even for one of Jonson's sons. He treats the existence of the Fallen as a stain on his personal honour as well as on the entirety of Jonson's line.


Interrogator Urvin Thaen, Chaplain of the 5th Company:
A renowned breaker of men, Chaplain Thaen has brought five Fallen to the point of confession over his long life. Now in his fourth century, soon to be his fifth, the white haired astartes has seen captains and chapter masters come and go. But, for Thaen, it is not officers he is duty bound to. It is the Great Hunt. Eschewing the rank of Grand Master no less than four times, Thaen has poured his soul into his work. Many find him curt to the point of being rude and often find that he will wait for no man. This impatience has always been a trait of Thaen, which could also explain his methodology during interrogations.

Not a particularly inspiring orator, Thaen will usually lead by example rather than attempt to inspire his brothers to greater acts in battle. Due his age and experience, Thaen is often treated as a tactical advisor. As any battle brother, he can handle himself on the battlefield - this does not make him special. What does, however, is his foresight. Thaen knows when particular enemies would choose to attack, when they would choose to defend and how they do so. Xenos hold no surprises for him and traitors find themselves cut down in an untimely fashion facing the interrogator.

Thaen, as he proudly boasts to all who listen, takes special relish killing astartes of any stripe. Draw a blade or bolter against him and, as he always assures the listener, you won't be standing for long. Contemptuous, cantankerous and blunt, Urvin Thaen thrives on hatred.

Edited June 11, 2015 by Grand Master Belial

[Conn Eremon]

I, personally, liked the other sigil better, and hopefully not just because it was my own addition.

 

It had a more rustic, hunter's lodge style to it that I felt was appropriate to the Blades. Kind of reminds me of the weapon plaques one would find in a jarl's lodge in Skyrim.

 

Also, the named ship was mentioned as handling recruits, but I dont think it was intended as a flagship.

[Grand Master Belial]

I, personally, liked the other sigil better, and hopefully not just because it was my own addition.

 

It had a more rustic, hunter's lodge style to it that I felt was appropriate to the Blades. Kind of reminds me of the weapon plaques one would find in a jarl's lodge in Skyrim.

 

Also, the named ship was mentioned as handling recruits, but I dont think it was intended as a flagship.

I just took that one out because it had the Digital Watermark. It was never decided which one to use or if both would be allowed.

 

The Wings of Caliban is the recruit ship and the only one named so far. But, wouldn't that be a common sight for every brother of the chapter and be common ground? It would probably be one of the most protected ships since it holds the future of the Chapter within its hull. Makes it sounds like a candidate for a Flagship if not THE Flagship. But, it is still open for further changes and manipulation. 

[Conn Eremon]

It seemed to be on a more lonesome path to me, less involved.

 

I would assume that the primary bastion of the Blades would form the central heart of their fleet(s), its greatest firepower and thickest armor, the hardened, tempered steel that gives their naval might that edge that takes it from formidable to downright terrifying. Whereas the named ship sounds like the flagship of the 10th Company.

 

But, I'm open to have those thoughts debated or what have you.

 

As for the sigil, if the watermark makes it unusable, I understand.

[Teetengee]

I think the nature of the Unforgiven as layer upon layer of secrecy would diminish the role of a recruiting ship as far as the full brothers are concerned.

[Reyner]

I liked the sigil that Conn provided, does anyone have any photoshop-fu to get one made up that is similar to that? The specialists look much better now guys and the extra battle honours sound really interesting. On the subject of Flagships I think the Wings of Caliban would be a good shout as the spiritual flagship but the actual flagship would be better as a heavily armoured Battle Barge that is commanded by the Chapter Master (Tywin in power armour!)

[Grand Master Belial]

So in the interests of creating a new Flagship for the Blades and freeing up the Recruit ship, I am trying to dream up some names but keep coming up blank on other words related to hunting. 

 

Here are the one's I am not satisfied with, but may help spark some inspiration elsewhere.

 

The Bladed Trophy

Lion's Lodge

The Bladed Blind

The Relentless/Restless Hunter

The Calibanite Snare

 

For the Wings of Caliban, here is an idea to ponder. The Wings of Caliban started its service life as a battle barge but in the centuries since it was commissioned it had suffered significant damage that left its bombardment cannons slagged and useless. Unwilling to have such a noble and gloried vessel essentially rebuilt in order to repair the damage, the Blades converted it to be their training vessel. 

Edited June 5, 2015 by Grand Master Belial

[Teetengee]

How about The Lion's Roar?

[Nomus Sardauk]

Given that it's a very old, storied ship with a glorious history, how about simply The Pride?

[Ace Debonair]

Other potential flagship names:

 

The Path of Virtue

The Inescapable Hunter

The Herald of Honour

The Oath of Vengeance

The Merciless Wrath

[Ace Debonair]

*drums fingers*
Let's not let this project stall altogether because we can't agree on a name for a ship.
 
How about the "Legion's Legacy", or "Legacy of the Legion"?
 
To outsiders, it just sounds like a ship that's been around for a while, maybe it's even a gift from the Dark Angels themselves.
To those in the know, it's another reminder that the Hunt for the Fallen is an unending duty, and the true legacy of the I Legion.
 

Sound any good?

[Olis]

Bugger it, let's call it Legacy of the Legion. There, done.

 

Right. Have we heard from Wade yet? I'll PM him at lunch time and get a sitrep. If nothing comes of it we'll assume the talks fell through and the third wave will be started.