Legion Smack Talk Thread

[Russ Brother 92]

Excuse me, but if anyone is going to be laying down burns in this thread its the Salamanders!

Brother - the Iron clad Xth don't burn with indignation that you seem to place yourself below the weakling children of humanity, no! We shall use them as cattle, they are our future YES, but only so we can weed out the weak, breed up the strong and step forth with the courage of man, the blood of fire and strength of iron. Do not forget that you speak to equals, not those worthless wretches you seek to protect so courageously.

 

Re-learn your place Salamander and retake the burning fires of vengeance which once made your kind so strong!

 

++ unknown legionarry of Clan Morragull, Iron Hands Legion ++

[Olis]

 

I'll bite. I have misgivings of the fate of this thread but, yeah, I'll bite.

 

*finishes polishing armour*

I'm sorry, I haven't been paying attention. I assume you were all agree that the III are the best legion. Who else has the Emperor granted such favour as us?

*runs hand over palatine aquila*

The Emperor is the embodiment of perfect, as such he would only honour the most perfect.

 

Hah, you may assume you are of the best Legion, Emperor's Child, but think again! Who stands at the Emperor's side, eh? Who are His chosen praetorians? With whom has He stood on the battlefield with more than any other? Not the gaudy third, cousin. Sure, you may bear a battle honour which no other Legion can, but who has the honour to stand by His side, to personally stand guard over the Himalazias, Terra, the Core Worlds? It is the implacable seventh. None other. We are the dependable right arm of the Emperor, not you.

My poor cousin, you don't understand what truly happened. Why do you think your legion was held in "reserve" and then brought back to act as praetorians? A job the custodes do so well.

 

I shall tell you the truth. You were a let down to our fathers' father. Even the word bearers were more capable than you. The emperor didn't want to lose another son, so he gave you a job you were capable of. Watching your betters conquer the galaxy.

 

A let down, he says! From a Legion constantly seeking perfection instead of focusing on what's important - the Emperor's vision and will. There you sit, gnashing and wailing at any failure you commit, resenting those better than you. 'Tis not the way of the seventh to become jealous and petty, unlike Fulgrim's lot, cousin. Oh, how much you look down upon those deemed beneath you when really you are just as fallible as the rest of us. You could learn a thing or two from the Emperor's Praetorians. Our integrity is beyond reproach. Our loyalty is legendary. You are not even worthy to speak Dorn's name. 

[Castiel]

 

Excuse me, but if anyone is going to be laying down burns in this thread its the Salamanders!

Brother - the Iron clad Xth don't burn with indignation that you seem to place yourself below the weakling children of humanity, no! We shall use them as cattle, they are our future YES, but only so we can weed out the weak, breed up the strong and step forth with the courage of man, the blood of fire and strength of iron. Do not forget that you speak to equals, not those worthless wretches you seek to protect so courageously.

 

Re-learn your place Salamander and retake the burning fires of vengeance which once made your kind so strong!

 

++ unknown legionarry of Clan Morragull, Iron Hands Legion ++

 

The iron of your ignorance needs tempered upon the anvil of wisdom, my cousin. Those "cattle" of which you speak are the reason for our creation, and it is our duty to protect them. Your talk is more worthy of Curze and his insane brood, not the sons of esteemed Manus.

[Iron Father Ferrum]

The reason for our creation is to wipe out any enemy that threatens humanity.  The weakness within humanity is a threat to itself, thus by culling the weak and preserving the strong, humanity emerges more powerful.  That you seek to protect those unworthy of your efforts is. . . unfortunate.

[helterskelter]

All this talk of culling makes me want to wipe out half a populace for compliance sake...

[Fire Golem]

Or a tenth of my legion because they ain't quite good enough for my liking.

[Castiel]

Or a tenth of my legion because they ain't quite good enough for my liking.

Oooooooooo

[Adra'Melek]

My favourite bit of official smack talk.

 

"Because we couldn’t be trusted. The Emperor needed a weapon that would never obey its own desires before those of the Imperium. He needed a weapon that would never bite the hand that feeds. The World Eaters were not that weapon. We’ve all drawn blades purely for the sake of shedding blood, and we’ve all felt the exultation of winning a war that never even needed to happen. We are not the tame, reliable pets that the Emperor wanted. The Wolves obey, when we would not. The Wolves can be trusted, when we never could. They have a discipline we lack, because their passions are not aflame with the Butcher’s Nails buzzing in the back of their skulls. The Wolves will always come to heel when called. In that regard, it is a mystery why they name themselves wolves. They are tame, collared by the Emperor, obeying his every whim. But a wolf doesn’t behave that way. Only a dog does. That is why we are the Eaters of Worlds, and the War Hounds no longer."

—Captain Khârn of the World Eaters Legion's 8th Assault Company, from his unpublished treatise The Eighteen Legions

[Solar_Pattern]

Only vainglorious fools flaunt their legions honours with speeches and medals. We the Nineteenth care not for the foolish ramblings of our brothers, for we carry our honours in our mind and proclaim them with our deeds. For what worth are pretty banners and rewards for those who walk in the shadows?

[Jarl Kjaran Coldheart]

 

Only the Nineteenth have remained strong, as while brothers and civilisations fall, the shadows will always remain. Only those in the Shadow of the Emperor can truely be loyal to him, as they are death, as they are his shadow.

 

Victorus aut Mortis....

Shadows always melt away before the flame.

 

 

And the flame will die out, while it burns bright, will end as ash and embers as the shadows reclaim it's territory.

While you may scar yourself and think that pain be a lesson, the truest lesson is found within. To be able balance the dark and light of yourself for a higher cause, the assassin's strike rather than flame's roar.

 

WLK

[Legatus]

++ From: Sergeant Leopold Erasmus Gatus, Legio XIII - Ultramarines ++

++ To: Scribe Sondar Aurelius, Librarium Terra ++

++ Regarding: Legion Capabilities Assessment ++

 

Dear Mr. Aurelius,

 

regarding your enquiry pertaining the capabilities of the Legiones Astartes I was asked to provide you with a brief summary. I personally acted as liaison to no less than seven of our brother Legions, and have extensively studied the reports on the other twelve. I should stress that these assessments are my own, and are not the view of Lord Guilliman.

 

I understand that you have contacted The Legio XIII specifically due to our accomplishments in the recent years of the Reclamation Crusade exceeding those of our brother Legions, with a notable statistical increase each solar year, but I would sincerely suggest that you seek out reports about the campaigns of some of the other Legions provided you find them available. By no means should you restrict your enquiry to just one Legion.

 

As you are aware, Lord Guilliman firmly believes that a regular exchange of doctrine would allow all of the Legions, the XIII included, to enhance their efforts. A sentiment not shared by all of my Lord's honoured brothers. Most of the Legions' shortcomings mentioned below are a direct result of a reluctance to adapt to doctrines suggested by either Lord Guilliman or a few of his more enlightened brothers, though there are a few instances of inherent deficiencies to some of the Legions.

 

Here are my brief descriptions, in order of formal listing:

 

 

Legio I - Usually excellent performance, both at the planning stage and execution. Insistance on specialised formations are a small detriment. Occasionally open to provide or take suggestions, yet infrequent communication prevents a more effective exchange. Some members of the Legio XIII believe that with slight modifications the Legio I could outperform the Legio XIII. Though presently it does not appear the Legio I is open for the necessary revisions.

 

[segment Deleted]

 

Legio III - Perfromance nothing short of excellent. Both the Legio III and Legio XIII have benefited from exchange. Yet officers can on occasion be uncooperative, being a slight detriment on army cohesion in joint campaigns. Though units perform admirably, some within the Legio XIII predict that their zealous training regimen will inevitably exhaust the troops' capacity at some point.

 

Legio IV - Superb planning, with especially strong analytics and highly disciplined warriors. Unfortunately lacking in strategic and tactical diversity. Occasionally open for exchange, and a great benefit to the Legio XIII, but themselves less willing to become more adaptive. Though not strictly uncooperative during joint campaigns, can suffer from a lack of communication. Highly effective under specific conditions, lacking at other times.

 

Legio V - Spirited warriors and commanders. Unsatisfactory discipline and planning. Rarely open for exchange, and too rooted in cultural traditions.

 

Legio VI - I was able to study the Legio VI first hand on a few occasions, and each has been utterly fascinating. The troops' spirit is extremely high, and commanders possess a natural cunning. Their officers' and warriors' instinct and enthusiasm can almost outweigh their lack of formal doctrine and insistance on an organisation based in tribal traditions. On numerous occasions they performed well above projected expectations. Yet performance is unreliable, especially in joint operations, where coordination proves more difficult than necessary. Some members of the Legio XIII believe that adopting a more formalised doctrine and organisation might quell their inherent fighting instincts and might even lead to an initial drop in performance, at least until the Legion can fully internalise proper doctrine and reach peak performance.

 

Legio VII - Excellent planning on a strategic and tactical level, with highly disciplined warriors. Regrettably officers are often inflexible, as reluctant to alter a plan mid-execution as they are to give the enemy any quarter. That reluctance is puzzling, as the Legio VII is not generally opposed to doctrinal exchange, and has cooperated closely with the Legio XIII on a number of occasions. Both Legions have generally benefited from these exchanges. It is possible that a psychological or cultural trait is responsible for their intractability on the level of their warriors, their officers and their organisation.

 

Legio VIII - Very effective at command and troop level, though unit discipline seems subpar in some recently reported instances. Willingness for exchange and communication has been much better in the past, seemingly deteriorating in recent years.

 

Legio IX - Generally good performance on all levels, and generally open for exchange. Upon my personal inspection, unit disciplin was well within expected parameters. Yet other reports have noted the occasional drop. Presently it is not sure whether the reasons for that are cultural in nature. By all accounts the Legio IX should be performing much better. The reasons for why they do not are as of yet unknown.

 

Legio X - Highly disciplined and devoted warriors, with generally good performance, and generally open for exchange. Though as with many of the Legions, they are unwilling to abandon the archaic organisation based on their homeworld's cultural traditions. Some projections show that the adoption of a more adaptable organisation alone could improve their campaign performance by as much as 4% (according to most favourable estimates).

 

[segment Deleted]

 

Legio XII - Currently underperforming. In some campaigns the damage the Legio XII was able to inflict upon the enemy far exceeded that of any other participating Legion. However, that is outweighed by a casualty rate which similarly exceeded that of their peers. Apart from the fact that such practices are not sustainable for long, there is also the issue of excessive collateral damage inflicted upon the infrastructure of the worlds where the Legio XII has been engaged. Both are the result of psycho-surgery performed on the Legion's warriors. Another result of that practice is that neither the Legio XII nor the Legio XIII are interested in any doctrinal exchange.

 

Legio XIII - As you are probably aware, the Legio XIII is currently operating at peak efficiency. (It should be noted that the Legion has exceeded what was previously considered "peak efficiency" over a decade ago, and the parameters of what constitutes "peak efficiency" have since been raised.) It has been suggested by different authorities that the Legio XIII should therefore be considered an example for the remainder of the Legions, but understandably some of the other Legions have taken offense to such suggestions.

 

Legio XIV - Very disciplined warriors. Command is adequate. A greater strategical diversity is advised, but the Legio XIV seems unconcerned with outside influences.

 

Legio XV - Currently underperforming. The Legio XV is another highly fascinating case, with an extreme focus on psychic operations. Lord Guilliman is generally of the opinion that a greater research of the psychic potential could benefit the Legions and their efforts, though he has voiced some concerns as to the single mindedness of the Legio XV's approach. As interesting an experiment as their focus on psychic operations even down to squad level may be, it has severely impaired the standard battlefield performance of their units.

 

Legio XVI - Excellent on command and troop level. Planning and discipline on troop level are generally exemplary, though occasional lapses appear in reports. Officers prioritise strategic operations above all else, and will often neglect logistical concerns, specifically pertaining to civilians and infrastructure. The latter is mostly responsible for why the Legio XIII outperforms the Legio XVI in overall achievements, even though the Legio XVI currently shows stronger performance on the stritcly strategic level. The Legio XVI is otherwise open for exchange.

 

Legio XVII - Currently underperforming. Command and troops generally adequate. However, almost the opposite of the Legio XVI, the Legio XVII prioritises the construction of (non-essential) infrastructure over strategic operations. A change in prioritisation alone would greatly enhance the Legio XVII's performance. But though the Legio XVII is not generally opposed to exchange, there seems to be a specific reluctance to cooperate with the Legio XIII.

 

Legio XVIII - Good spirit, and a strong devotion to the plight of man, yet regrettably their performance is subpar. The reasons are partially an insistance on an archaic organisation based on the tribal culture of their homeworld, and partially the reluctance to embrace the full diversity of tactical equipment. The Legio XVIII is not generally opposed to adopt beneficial new practices, but as with some of the other Legions they are unwilling to abandon some of their cultural traditions.

 

Legio XIX - Good performance on all levels of operation. Generally open for exchange. Troops perform excellent on a tactical level, and are noted for their highly efficient deployment procedures, though officers of the Legio XIX occasionally seem reluctant to fully commit to an engagement. Where a number of other Legions might choose to prolong an engagement beyond advisable duration, the Legio XIX instead often chooses to break off of an engagement. I should stress that this by no means is the result of a lack of heart, as the troops are merely redirected to attack the enemy from a different angle. Yet most commanders of the other Legions would employ evasive tactics far less frequently, and would see much of the Legio XIX's maneuvering as unwarranted. This tactical preference is likely influenced by the culture on the Legio XIX's homeworld.

 

Legio XX - Currently underperforming, which is unfortunate, as strategic and tactical planning are generally excellent, and units are actually much more disciplined than most summarised reports would suggest. Yet for some unknown reason the Legio XX's officers insist on unnecessarily elaborate operations, slowing their progression and wasting ressources. These elaborate operation plans, though sound in theory, suffer greatly from the slightest of alterations of combat parameters. A fact that some of the Legio XX's officers have started to address by adding even more contingency plans, which reduces efficiency even further. The Legio XX is also extremely unwilling to communicate, making both joint operations and an exchange of doctrine very difficult.

 

 

I hope you find this brief summary useful. Should you require further elaboration please contact the Legion representative on Terra. Though as I suggested above, you may also wish to enquire with the other Legions as well.

 

L.E.Gatus, Sgt. Legio XIII

[depthcharge12]

I'm sorry I'm late but the First Legion was busy conquering the known galaxy and shedding blood while you all bicker like children.

 

 

Let me know when you guys want to join the Great Crusade.

[Jarl Kjaran Coldheart]

I'm sorry I'm late but the First Legion was busy conquering the known galaxy and shedding blood while you all bicker like children.

 

 

Let me know when you guys want to join the Great Crusade.

 

Speaking of bickering like children, what occured when the Caliban officers joined the Terrain officers in battle? A certain company commander Astelan has a unique report.

 

Then the departure of Luthor leaves something to be said.

 

The disciplanry measures shown by the Lion himself are worlds aHEAD of the other Legions. Nemiel seems to disagree, but he isnt around anymore to voice his opinion.

 

WLK

[The Red Thirst]

In such secular times cousins, who else but the IXth would be named as the Angels of Death by the Emperor Himself? We descend upon wings of fire and blood with our Emperors message upon our lips and writ upon the edge of our swords. We will cleans this galaxy with the Blood of the unworthy and build a kingdom for our Emperor and a future worthy of our species misguided concepts of Heaven itself. 

[depthcharge12]

 

I'm sorry I'm late but the First Legion was busy conquering the known galaxy and shedding blood while you all bicker like children.

Let me know when you guys want to join the Great Crusade.

 

 

Speaking of bickering like children, what occured when the Caliban officers joined the Terrain officers in battle? A certain company commander Astelan has a unique report.

Then the departure of Luthor leaves something to be said.

The disciplanry measures shown by the Lion himself are worlds aHEAD of the other Legions. Nemiel seems to disagree, but he isnt around anymore to voice his opinion.

 

WLK

 

I'm sorry, we could have single handly turned the siege at Terra but Leman Russ and his Furry Friends had to stop to whizz on any fire hydrant this side of Ultramar on the way back.

[Castiel]

Or were you too busy waiting to see which side won?

[depthcharge12]

Or were you too busy waiting to see which side won? :ph34r:

 

You believe such profanity spewed from the mouth of a heretic?

 

 

 

I believe the Emperor was testing our resolve for the future when others we consider brothers break and bend, rather than standing firm.

[Jarl Kjaran Coldheart]

The Rout slow the advance to the Emperor to save an EMPIRE. The All-Father's realm is as important, if not more so, than any single leader.

 

The Dark Angels mismanaged their legion so greatly that it's home world rebelled, it's First Captain dopped it's Primarch.

 

In all the Legions, only the home worlds of the Traitors rebelled. What does that make the spawn of Caliban?

 

WLK

[depthcharge12]

The Rout slow the advance to the Emperor to save an EMPIRE. The All-Father's realm is as important, if not more so, than any single leader.

 

The Dark Angels mismanaged their legion so greatly that it's home world rebelled, it's First Captain dopped it's Primarch.

 

In all the Legions, only the home worlds of the Traitors rebelled. What does that make the spawn of Caliban?

 

WLK

 

Ahh the wolf pup speaks as if it was the sage one, chasing shadows when there were none.

 

I'm sure you made your excuses when you attack the most loyal of sons and fought him when he offered no resistance. That will sit perfectly in your rolls of honor and glory...fighting a loyal and unarmed ally. Meanwhile your legion preaches from one side of your mouth about psykers while advocating them out of the other corner.

 

Truly, we have a great ally in one who is hypocritical and attacks those loyal to the Emperor.

[Jarl Kjaran Coldheart]

If you believe the Thousand Sons were loyal, your "questionable loyalty" seems settled to me.

 

But should I feign surprise? Your legion was founded on a world tainted by Chaos, your primarch gave shelter to the last Knight of Lupus, an order purged for their heretical actions. Your primarch kills those who uphold the Emperor's edict. 

 

Surely, you are a bastion of loyalty. To yourself.

 

the often debated actions of the Rout on Prospero can have many views, but one thing rings true. When they are given an order, regardless of how distasteful, it is carried out. Too bad your Primarch cannot say the same.

 

WLK

[depthcharge12]

If you believe the Thousand Sons were loyal, your "questionable loyalty" seems settled to me.

 

But should I feign surprise? Your legion was founded on a world tainted by Chaos, your primarch gave shelter to the last Knight of Lupus, an order purged for their heretical actions. Your primarch kills those who uphold the Emperor's edict. 

 

Surely, you are a bastion of loyalty. To yourself.

 

the often debated actions of the Rout on Prospero can have many views, but one thing rings true. When they are given an order, regardless of how distasteful, it is carried out. Too bad your Primarch cannot say the same.

 

WLK

 

An order given by Horus? The Arch Heretic? Surely the Space Wolves would never broker with him....

 

 

And how many primarchs actually complied with the edict of Nikea? 2 or maybe 3? Surely yours was one...I'm sorry I can't hear you over your psykers chanting and calling upon ethereal, Chaotic forces to aid them in battle.

 

The Dark Angels only employed psykers once the full betrayal was revealed and such services were needed...I seem to remember you to use them continuing through the edict and beyond.

[Saphrael]

 

When they are given an order, regardless of how distasteful, it is carried out. Too bad your Primarch cannot say the same.

 

WLK

 

Ahh the vaunted unquestioning obedience of the mutts of Fenris. How nice for your legion to find pride in being the most base of tools. To say nothing of how your brute of a father was so simple minded that the Warmaster was able to easily manipulate him into turning on your brothers.

 

Your legion does not follow orders dog, it interprets them into how it best serves your savage get. How else can you explain your rejection of Nikea?

[Blood Angel Scout]

Taken from Tales of the Sigilite: Volume 830- The unfinished account of the Regent of Terra.

 

"My lord, the shadow has passed, communications from Ultramar have arrived..."

 

"Finally, what are the reports? What is the status of the Thirteenth?"

 

"My lord, they're not clear or at least the Guild inform that there may be some residual overlap due to the warp storms..."

 

"What is the problem adept?"

 

"Well, my lord...the first messages to be received relate to the Regent of the Imperium calling for aid from all those loyal to Terra to head for..."

 

"So that's my original sending being repeated, is this the overlap the astropaths have been arguing over?"

 

"That's where the confusion lies my Lord, as these first communications had the signifiers of the First, Ninth and Thirteenth primarchs and it states to travel to Ultramar and..."

 

"Repeat that adept...travel to Ultramar?"

 

"My lord, the Guild did state that they have also received communication from the First and Sixth legions stating they are battling against unknown forces....the Fifth have announced they are heading to Terra "to confront those who need to see the truth of the storm"...the Ninth have arrived in system, hailing "the True Regent of Terra" more possible confusion and..."

 

"Adept, what of the Thirteenth?"

 

"Again my lord, not entirely clear, latest signals repeat "Writer's block" over and over again, the occasional loop of "need an extension from my publisher" or "every theoretical from Astartes to Xenos, first editions available at the Imperial Palace: Book now for a special meet-and-greet event by the author with special prints for each chapter"...hence the confusion"

 

"So adept, what does this mean, where are the Ultramarines?"

 

"Unclear...

[Jarl Kjaran Coldheart]

@DC12: Well the origins of the order is still debated, Horus has no control over the sisters of silence and the custodes. So if they were on the trip, then the orders could not have originated with Horus.

 

And of course the nature of our Rune Priests would confuse you, as the demands of loyalty seem to be beyond you as well. You cannot control your own Legion, let alone judge another. 

 

@Saphrael: The fluff of Nikea is clear to me, as the Collected Visions books describe Nikea being against sorcery. The newer books make the claim against all psychic powers, however the Custodes allowed the probing of the pawn Haswer in Prospero Burns. With the Custodes being the chosen of the Emperor, there may have been untold information of the Edict and the Wolves. I'll not fully judge until the story is told. 

 

The All-Father can stop us whenever he finds fault of our deeds. Until then, continue your snipes as we'll stand firm.

 

WLK

[depthcharge12]

I remember that Leman Russ fled to the Eye of Terror where all the other heretical primarchs went...and his armor was left at the foot of a Khorne altar.

 

 

Very convincing that he's a "loyalist."