The Scarlet Tide - An WiP Chapter

[Flamewrought]

Still working on this quite a bit, but I wouldn't mind feedback. It will be my first army, though I've been a fan of Warhammer 40k for quite awhile. Any suggestions or constructive comments would be highly appreciated! Also just working on filling out a DiY Chapter Description template as provided by the resources.

In particular I could use help with deciding on a color scheme. I apologize if I've botched anything so far, please let me know.

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Index Astartes

«Chapter Badge» (in progress)

The Scarlet Tide Space Marines Chapter

Origins

While the exact time of the Tide’s founding is unknown, though it is often suggested to have been surprisingly recent, their purpose is much clearer. As is well-known, many chapters were stationed in the Maelstrom Zone to combat the Imperium’s enemies. But many more than those drawn into the Badab War called these territories their home.

One chapter, looking to Sanguinus as the progenitor of their Gene-Seed, often haunted trade routes in a ceaseless hunt for pirates, Xenos, and renegades who posed a threat to trade and travel between systems. There are quite a few tales of ships being harried by plunderers only to suddenly receive aid from the unheralded arrival of a ship painted in Reds and Golds. But they just as often fought planetside when more serious threats than brigands raised their heads.

The importance of the lifelines of trade to such a remote expanse were all too often exploited by Xenos and Chaos, the defeat or corruption of resource-starved worlds far from unheard of. Their own homeworld has often faced such threats in the past, and the Tide has lost entire squads in skirmishes to secure resources. (( I need to expand on this. Maybe write up a specific event.))

However, over time as the Badab war came to a close, the Scarlet Tide found its focus shifting despite not taking part. A new threat had arisen from the aftermath, one they began to encounter with a higher and higher frequency. The once Astral Claws had chosen to stand with the Ruinous Powers after their excommunication and defeat, becoming the Red Corsairs. Even more, they took on a pirate lifestyle, endangering the lifelines of the Maelstrom Zone like never before.

It was decided they would not do so unopposed. The Scarlet Tide, though a small force compared to their former allies, fought and continue to fight these renegades whenever possible.

Home World/Homeworld

The world of Kaimira is not what many would consider a world of much importance in the vast reaches of the Imperium, or even within the Maelstrom Zone. A Feudal world largely covered in abyssal oceans and with small island continents as its only landmasses, it had never drawn much attention before the coming of the Scarlet Tide.

Amongst the myriad dangers of this planet is increased volcanic activity, resulting in the occasional destruction or birth of new landmasses, a wide variety of oceanic predators, drastic climate shifts, and perhaps the oddest, occasional attacks by roving pirates. It is believed that the Tide tolerates these raiders on their own planet to both weed out the weak of the population and instill a hatred of such criminals in potential recruits before the process of becoming Astartes even begins.

The Tide has a common tradition of hunting the most dangerous predators hiding in Kaimira's oceans as tests of their strength and to help slake their need for bloodshed between battles. In particular, there are three of greater than normal importance to the Chapter. One beast of ferocious temperament, often said to resemble a horse-sized, reptilian version of a Terran Leopard Seal, is perhaps one of the more common. Traveling in pods, the successful killing of one of these creatures with nothing more than a ritual knife is the first test in a potential recruit's trials on the way to being inducted into the Tide. Another beast is almost exclusively hunted by the Chapter, both for ceremonial and practical reasons. Easily as big as any of Terra's whales, this creature has often been referred to as the Pale Death. It's been said that many a ship out on Kaimira's seas would face a final image of a gaping maw and white scales before being destroyed. The Scarlet Tide hunts these creatures with relish, however, coveting their bones, scales, and blood for reasons they have not seen fit to reveal. The last creature is almost more myth than fact, and it is often rumored their first Chapter Master sought out the largest of these creatures to yoke and bind, building the Scarlet Tide's fortress monastery upon its shelled back.

Combat Doctrine

«Information on the Chapter’s combat doctrine» ( In Progress, likely involves usage of vehicles and Death Companies to break enemy lines )

Organization/Organisation

«Information on the Chapter’s organization» ( In Progress, will likely follow traditional Blood Angel organization and hierarchy )

Beliefs

Often seen as less monkish than many of their fellow Blood Angel successors, the Tide none-the-less has a strict code of honor they abide by. They defend their territory and brothers with their lives, offer their kin their strength in war, and wash over their enemies like a wave of death. But their constant hunt for the enemies of the Imperium within the areas they control often comes at a high cost to their brothers lost to the curses of their blood.

Gene-seed/Geneseed

It has been said without doubt that they are a Blood Angel Successor, a fact they are proud to boast. Even with the darker rumors that at times surface regarding the sons of Sanguinus, they wear their heritage as a badge of pride.

The Red Thirst is particularly prevalent amongst their number, leading to their often brutal melee tactics. They also have a portion of those given into the Black Rage, though these men are often thinned by frequent deployment as Death Companies to break enemy lines.

Unfortunately, their gene seed has mutated further, perhaps due to the Maelstrom or simply from being cultured from another Blood Angel Successor rather than a purer sample. For example, those who lose themselves to the Black Rage or Red Thirst permanently often begin to degenerate even further in many cases.

Battle-cry/Battlecry/Chapter Motto

«The Chapter’s battle-cry or motto» ( In Progress )

[Flamewrought]

Update: Added onto gene-seed. Been a bit busy with classes starting up again.

[Messor]

So are we to assume the Fortress Monastery is on a giant turtle's back? Nifty. You've got a solid foundation for a Chapter here. It lacks some clarity about the Chapter itself, though. For example, most of the beliefs section is about the beasts of the home world. That whole paragraph would probably serve better in the home world section, especially if you don't plan to actually reveal the importance of these hunting practices. I would also suggest replacing their initial purpose with something more substantial than fighting regular pirates. The evolution to fighting the Red Corsairs was quite natural and well done!

[Flamewrought]

So are we to assume the Fortress Monastery is on a giant turtle's back? Nifty. You've got a solid foundation for a Chapter here. It lacks some clarity about the Chapter itself, though. For example, most of the beliefs section is about the beasts of the home world. That whole paragraph would probably serve better in the home world section, especially if you don't plan to actually reveal the importance of these hunting practices. I would also suggest replacing their initial purpose with something more substantial than fighting regular pirates. The evolution to fighting the Red Corsairs was quite natural and well done!

Thank you for the pointers, and I agree. I need to start delving deeper into the chapter. Been trying to read up and research a bit about Organization and Battle Tactics in particular so I can do a decent job and see if and how to adjust more traditional Blood Angels ways. I tend to enjoy the idea of drop pods and death companies figuring prominently in their tactics.

 

And you're right about what I put into beliefs. -rubs chin- I'll try to readjust so that can go into the homeworld section. I may dig a bit into their relations and differences from their brethren for beliefs, but I could use a pointer in the right direction. I'm guessing any variations they have compared to the most codex compliant and accepted religious beliefs, but what would be appropriate to include? Specific rites, habits and quirks, variations in how certain portions of their chapter are treated? Even their views on the mortals that share their world, or would that be included in the homeworld section?

 

On the note of their purpose, perhaps it could be widened to making sure trade lanes were running smoothly, and removing threats to that? Not just pirates, whether human or Xeno, but any incursions that could potentially cripple these lifelines? This would include rebellious worlds, Xenos trying to spread just a bit too close, or even horrors trying to crawl from the Maelstrom's torn fabric.

 

I'll try to adjust once I get back home and can work at my laptop. Thank you again for your insights.

[Messor]

The beliefs section will be about why they do things the way they do, and gives them their personality. So say that they have certain chants or something before a battle. Why? Do they believe it brings them strength from a supernatural source, or are they just aiming to frenzy themselves? You don't have to relate it too much to the differences between other Blood Angels Chapters. There might end being a ton of difference, but don't belabor too much that they are differences. Just use them to define who the Chapter is.

 

edit: I think that would also be an appropriate expansion to their purpose. Maybe highlight why that's important by mentioning major incursions that have happened in the past, or what the consequences might be if the shipping lane collapsed.

[L33TFROG]

I surprisingly enough didn't read your IA, before writing my own anti, in this case eldear, corsair chapter. The major issue with your IA that can't be fixed by simply adding more information is that you've created a chapter who you insinuate fought in a very well-documented conflict, that historians don't mention hone selves in. You set up your chapter as either extremely inconsequential or Mary Sue.

 

Your origin tells too little in too many word, what has your chapter affected, not just key established fluff events that effected them.

In your homeworld, it would make more sense for chapter to recruit from those very raiders, just as those on price worlds recruit from gangs. Then your world is just a bland Polynesia spread across a whole planet. Tell us more.

 

Your gene seed and beliefs show the most promise and have a lot of ideas that are crucial that should be mentioned elsewhere

In beliefs you shouldn't refer to the creature as a xeno though.

Your gene seed section is however wrong an likely unintentionally unoriginal and sometimes false. The BA gene seed is held in high regard and for the period your chapter would've been founded the Ad Mech would have thought that the red thirst was cured, and your third paragraph turns the chapter from kind of like the Charchodons, to almost literally the Charchodons, see IA volume 10, if you want to know what I mean.

[Flamewrought]

I surprisingly enough didn't read your IA, before writing my own anti, in this case eldear, corsair chapter. The major issue with your IA that can't be fixed by simply adding more information is that you've created a chapter who you insinuate fought in a very well-documented conflict, that historians don't mention hone selves in. You set up your chapter as either extremely inconsequential or Mary Sue.

 

Your origin tells too little in too many word, what has your chapter affected, not just key established fluff events that effected them.

In your homeworld, it would make more sense for chapter to recruit from those very raiders, just as those on price worlds recruit from gangs. Then your world is just a bland Polynesia spread across a whole planet. Tell us more.

 

Your gene seed and beliefs show the most promise and have a lot of ideas that are crucial that should be mentioned elsewhere

In beliefs you shouldn't refer to the creature as a xeno though.

Your gene seed section is however wrong an likely unintentionally unoriginal and sometimes false. The BA gene seed is held in high regard and for the period your chapter would've been founded the Ad Mech would have thought that the red thirst was cured, and your third paragraph turns the chapter from kind of like the Charchodons, to almost literally the Charchodons, see IA volume 10, if you want to know what I mean.

Let me start by saying I see your points. Let me also lead by pointing out I've mentioned this chapter is still heavily WiP and that it's also a first go at this.

 

So let me address your concerns.

 

For starters, in response to the issue of the Badab War. No, they did not take part, and neither did I insinuate they did. Their location was chosen not to say that they had any hand in the war, but because it is stated the Maelstrom zone harbors several dangerous pirate factions, and also because it's also stated -several- chapters are stationed in this area. As these 'several' were not all supposedly drawn into the Badab war and the Tide would have a reason to look away and cling to their traditional duties with the inclusion of a brother Blood Angel successor, I chose to speculate they could be in this area without taking part. Yes, I'm following a bit of a nautical theme. I can clarify these facts further and had been planning to.

 

In regards to the planet, I still stand by the notion that the Chapter would prefer choosing from those who already despise raiders than raiders themselves. Perhaps it's a quirk of an unusually idealistic chapter. As you've said, I have some reorganizing to do, as well as fleshing out.

 

In regards to their gene-seed, I see your point on the reputation and will be readjusting how I phrase this. However, I have not mentioned their time of founding, and leave it intentionally vague, so the point of the Ad Mech's belief of their flaw being cured may or may not be pertinent.

 

As for the last point on the mutations being similar to the Carcharodons' mutations, yes, I see and am aware. I've adjusted, but have just been playing with possibilities for mutations at this point.

 

Thank you for your pointers. I'll be working to use your advice to improve. -smiles happily-

[Olis]

At the risk of making your idea a bit Iron Man-ish (alright, very Iron Man-ish), here's a suggestion for your paint scheme. I think one of the drawbacks of your original scheme was that it was a little 'busy' - that is to say that there was more colours used than necessary. Also the fact that the shoulder did not match. I personally am not a fan of mismatching shoulderpads (with the Deathwatch possibly being the one exception). Anyway, I think that if you want to modify this scheme and deepen the red, as per your original paint job, the changes would not adversely affect the other aspects. Let me know what you think. Maybe you'd like a different suggestion?