Paladins of Vitae - Development

[simison]

When I first started playing 40k and the Blood Angels, it was only a month before I started creating my own successor chapter and their fluff. No offense to the Blood Angels, but I like to have my own mark on my army and have spent quite a bit of time putting information down in an electronic document. With the new BA codex on the horizon, I've decided to take all I do have and turn it into a proper Index Astartes article.

 

I apologize for this first post. I am simply cutting and pasting what I already have and will be translating it into a proper article in subsequent posts and weeks. And originally, this chapter was called the Sanguine Seraphim. For various reasons, I have changed the name.

 

EDIT: New idea. Save detailed info for later, work on basics here.

 

[Hashmallim]

Chapter Themes:

 

1. Reliance on tanks and walkers to fill in holes left over from 'recent' civil war; organizational differences due to specialization.

2. Closer tie to the Mechanicus for necessary technology & materials to field these warmachines.

3. Combine VtR/M clans with Knight Houses for different company organization? No, switch over to clans.

   A. Clan Ventrue = First Company (Leaders)

   B. Clan Salubri= Second Company (Monster/Daemon Slayers)

   C. Clan Brujah = Third Company (Horde Specialists)

   D. Clan  Toreador = Fourth Company (Anti-power armor?)

   E. Clan  Nosferatu = Scout Company (The Hidden Ones)

 

4. Marines out of time: heavy stasis use slows down Black Rage occurrences, but leads to culture shock as everything gets worse. Called Torpor

5. Originally,  heavy bionic use to combat Black Rage and Red Thirst. Effects were neglible. Eventually, became a way to emphasize Mechanicum relations and to honor Carminus.

 

Chapter Master Michael

[simison]

Paladins of Vitae

Origins:

 

While the Blood Angels had won eternal renown for their part in the defense of Terra, one tends to forget that it was a costly trade. The Five Hundred Companies took great casualties as they fought for the Emperor. The Scouring would add another toll on their blood, reducing the legion still before Guilliman would introduce his Codex Astartes, adding yet another shattering as the Ninth Legion was broken down into chapters.

 

Out of the Second Founding, Captain Carminus of the Third Company was appointed Chapter Master alongside other Blood Angel champions, including contemporary Amit. While other successor Chapters would go onto to hunt the heretic, Carminus, noted for his unusual preference for bionics and utilizing a greater amount of techmarines, he was chosen to plant his Chapter in the Gadian system and defend the nearby sectors. While Gad Prime was the homeworld of his Chapter, the core of his mission was the neighboring planet Theta 283-49-5. This forge world was one of the rare few to produce Warhound titans, thus was an extremely prioritized resource. Secondary priorities included various Knight worlds, Farm worlds, and other resources that would no doubt be labeled as targets by hostile forces. Dubbed the Laeta Cluster by the Paladins, it was Carminus' duty to patrol and defend these region, while strengthening ties with the Mechanicus. 

 

For eight thousand years, the Paladins of Vitae have done their duty as guardians and stewards of the Laeta Cluster. No foe, whether heretic, xeno, or mutant could stand against them. Any hostile invasion achieved, at best, a quick foothold before being dislodged and annihilated by the Paladins. It seemed that where there cousins suffered, they prospered, earning many honors and awards, and thriving to the point where they have sent marines to aid in the creation of other chapters, lest they grow too large themselves.

 

This long, proud period ended in a brutal, dramatic fashion.

 

At their Founding, Carminus devoted various resources to curing the Flaw, however he chose to emphasize technologies to mitigate the effects until a cure was created. To that end, the use of bionic replacements for biological components were introduced and used throughout the Chapter. Stasis became another avenue of prevention as marines voluntarily placed themselves into these pods in the hopes of regular 'Torpor' would keep them further from their inner demons. With his close alliance with Mars, Carminus and past Chapter Masters were able to keep the Hashmallim's technology well-supplied and in excellent condition. While bionic use has had an erratic impact on occurrences of the Red Thirst and the Black Rage, stasis use has had a reliable, measured impact on preventing Paladins from falling into the Black Rage, yet with a correlating rise in Red Thirst incidents. Yet, together, both these and other reliance on technology from Mars led not only to a (relatively) strong alliance, but to a growing strength in techmarines.

 

This new strength was, at first, a positive addition. It ensured the Mechanicum would favor the Paladins proper logistical support, which, in turn, allowed the Paladins to accomplish their mission with great efficiency.

 

As time went on, the techmarines gained greater clout. Their influence peaked in the 37^th millennium when Vestus, Lord of the Forge, ascended to Chapter Master. More machine than man, Vestus continued the mission with remorseless practicality and cold precision. Despite Vestus' dedication to his mission, he inadvertently planted seeds that would grow into bitter fruit in the next millennia. Several battle rituals and prayers were modified, emphasizing the place of the Omnissiah under the guise of strengthening relations with the Mechanicum. Over the next few centuries, these modifications grew. As the Omnissiah gained in prescence, the chapter's Chaplains began to grow more zealous in their preachings about loyalty to the Emperor and to Sanguinius. 

 

This rivalry cultivated in size and bitterness as the two factions divided the Chapter between them. Debates became arguments as each side parried and verbally attacked each other. In the end, it culminated into a single, devastating battle between brothers. Yet, neither side was the first to unleash this blight upon the other. Instead, a battle-brother, one named Arius, lit the fuse after being corrupted by the Ruinious Powers.

 

It is unknown when his corruption began, but Arius, a member of the Mars faction, would warn the Hashmallim of a cult growing on Ouranus in a neighboring system. The cult had already grown in size and corrupted much of the local PDF and time was limited. With so little warning about such a great threat, Grand Master of the Forge Davenwroght gathered most of the Chapter's strength and moved to end this corruption. During the journey there, Arius warned his fellow faction members of an incoming betrayal that would take place after the campaign.

 

Suspicions running high, the Hashmallim rushed to war and quickly began to send the chaos cultists into full retreat as they cleansed the planet. When the last of the heretics had been forced into the planet's capital city, Arius made his move. He murdered Davenwroght in secret before accusing the Chaplains for this base treachery. Wise words wilted away before the chapter tore itself apart in a savage battle. Neither side could gain an advantage and did little more than bleed each other. That was when Arius unleashed his second treachery. The remaining forces of Chaos struck from the city to annihilate the Paladins. Overconfident, Arius declared his heresy as he attempted to take control and end his brothers.

 

Finally realizing the truth, the chapter rallied and surprised Arius with their resolution, sending the traitor fleeing as the last of the corruption was eliminated from the planet. Michael, the new Chapter Master, took the remains of his forces home and put an end to the rivalry. Never again would their brothers be so divided. 

 

Reconciliation had come, but at a high cost. 

 

Not enough marines survived to maintain any reserve companies, and their enemies were relentless as they quickly realized the new state of the Paladins. Thus, the Paladins came to rely on the dreadnoughts and tanks to make up for the lack of infantry that is still true to this very day. This was further exacerbated by more Paladins choosing to enter stasis at hints of the Black Rage, which reduced the number of active marines even further.

 

Despite all of this, the Paladins stand. Marine by marine, the chapter is healing as their rosters grow full again. Perhaps, one day, they will stand beside their brothers faithful and whole. 

[simison]

Ok, I confess, I'm not very experienced with Index Astartes articles and suspected I went overboard on the Origins. How bad is it? How much do you I need to cut?

[Lucien Eilam]

No idea. White text is practically invisible on the IP.Board theme.

 

The "of" in Paladins of Vitae is redundant. Vitae translates just as well to "of life" as "life".

[ElectricPaladin]

I have made no secret thus far of my general disregard for yet another chapter with close ties to the Mechanicus. I feel that "the Mechanicus loves them" has become a shorthand for "I get to put whatever I want in my army without having to think of any further explanations," and it's therefore lazy. I hate it even more when I see it in a Blood Angels successor. I mean, if you really want to play a chapter with close ties to the Mechanicus, why not play an Iron Hands successor, or a successor of any other chapter where "rift with the Mechanicus" is not one of their defining traits?

 

In this case, I think it's actually even more egregious because you don't bother to write in any particular reason why this chapter has managed to heal the rift. You give them an incredibly ancient pedigree - 2nd Founding! - and then just gloss over the whole Baal predator thing like it doesn't matter. Also, by the way, the Baal predator was recovered during the Great Crusade, when the Blood Angels were still a Legion, which is why the Mechanicus holds it against the Blood Angels and all their successors today, since all of them share Sanguinius's bloodline and, in their minds, his guilt.

 

Second gripe: your chapter name seems kind of random. You got some knightly imagery in there, you got some blood, and then when we get to the chapter, they are neither knightly nor particularly blood-focused. They have got some potentially cool stuff, like an alliance with Mars (despite my earlier comments, I do think it's doable, you just need to give me a better explanation) and this whole stasis-torper thing (the Charnel Guard is similar, but whatever, they're an obscure chapter that nobody has heard of). Now, I know that chapter name doesn't have to have anything to do with the chapter - for all that the Ultramarines are ultramarine ultra marines - but if you're going to go with some strong themes, as you have, it seems like a missed opportunity to give them a generic chapter name.

 

So, to summarize:

1. Alliance with the Mechanicus is fine, but you've got to work for it. If you want to buck one of the trends in your codex, give me a better, more interesting and heroic, explanation.
2. Probably you shouldn't be a 2nd Founding chapter. The 2nd Founding is well documented. To the extent that you care about fitting your chapter into the fluff, the 2nd Founding chapters are pretty specific for most of the Legions.
3. You've got a lot of interesting themes here - the whole stasis thing, the whole Iron Hands-esque "replace the flawed bloodthirsty flesh with machines and we will defeat the Rage/Thirst, Blood Angels successors who like the Mechanicus and vice versa, a chapter who survived a Chaos infiltration and a civil war - but perhaps too many. Cut it down to one or two, then tell me more about how the chapter's culture, practices, and choices through the years have evolved from those themes.
4. Once you've got your theme, consider how your chapter's symbol, name, and color scheme can express that theme. Then pick one or two of them to express that theme, and have the other one be kind of random, because we don't want to be too matchy-matchy here.

 

That's my two cents. I didn't pull my punches, but I hope I managed to be constructive nevertheless.

[ElectricPaladin]

Hm. I'm sorry if I came on a little strong there. I had just finished writing a post about how much I hate the Hobbit movies, so I think I got a little hate on you by accident. Really, I hope you don't take anything I wrote too seriously - I'm just some :cuss from the Internet. They're your tiny plastic mans - do what you want with them if it makes you happy. Say the word and I'll delete the post.

[simison]

You don't have to delete the post, it contained valid points and the apology did help soften the blow. Now, to respond to your points:

 

1. The Mars connection. I actually saw that bit of advice on one of the pinned topics and was trying to avoid it. The alliance with Mars was never supposed to be about getting cool stuff. I specifically made a Forge world that created Warhound titans because they would have less chance to get good tech. (And it may the be the only kind of titan I'll ever be able to afford besides Knights.) I chose a Forge world to justify the civil war and the chapters ability to maintain such a large vehicle fleet while their numbers re-grow. 

 

Now that's clarified, I agree that I did gloss over that part and I didn't emphasize on how the Forge world was supposed to tie in, besides the civil war. 

 

2. I have two issues with the Founding. One, I originally did set it to the 3rd Founding because the number 3 is a theme for this chapter. But I also wanted Company Captain Carminus to be the founder, who was in the original legion. The 3rd Founding doesn't happen for 2,000 years and extremely few marines survive that long (Sanguinor excluded), so I didn't want to push that boundary. 

 

Issue two: I don't get it. The advice guide also mentioned how the 2nd Founding has been completely expounded on, but I haven't found evidence to back this up. Granted, I'm limited to my own codex and to the internet, but I've never found anything from an official source that said, "2nd Founding has been completely revealed." And, if that statement is true, I'm extremely confused about a secondary point. In Fear to Tread, the legion numbers over 100,000 marines. The 2nd Founding is only composed of 5 successor chapters....numbering a 1,000 each. How does 100,000 get to just 6,000 marines by the end of the Scouring? And the fluff I've read on the Second Founding doesn't sound like this is the case. That each loyalist legion was completely devastated by the end of the fighting. The images they keep using are vast legions being broken down into tiny chapters. Can somebody explain this to me?

 

In conclusion, I want 3rd Founding, but I also want Carminus. The big irony is that I've just thought of a way to jump the gap. I could use a stasis pod to explain the gap, but I would really like it if somebody explained the 2nd Founding number difference.

 

3. Fair point, and an easy, though extensive writing fix. 

 

4. I'm a little confused on this one. It's possible to be too matchy-matchy? Can you explain?

 

 

Last question: how long is an IA Origins supposed to be. All I have are the few DIY successors I've read here on B&C (I've never seen an official one) and I'm under the impression that I'm longer than I am supposed to be, is that true?

[NightrawenII]

Back in old days, the Legions were supposed to be only around 10,000 marines strong so handful of succesor Chapters made sense. Now numbers are rewritten to be much higher, which means more successors.

That being said, all the new Codexes since the retcon I have read keep using "only handful of 2nd Founding successors" stick, so go figure.

 

The limited 2nd Founding Chapters... well, there is table in several old Codexes which supposedly* name all the 2nd Founding Chapters, with the Ultramarines a notable exception.

 

+++

 

Have you read Octaguide 2.0? If not you should, it provides a lot of help for new Diyers.

 

My advice would be;

#1 Delete the wall'o'text in your post(s), or if you want, save it somewhere else. The point is, wall'o'text discourages potentional readers, really.

#2 Make a outline, this has several advantages. First, people can comment on your ideas, while seeing the whole picture. Second, there is no need to rewrite your stuff (which frustrates people and thus make them less willing to listen to advice even though their stuff is god-awful)

#3 Like ElectricPaladin said give them theme; themes are good, they make your Chapter stand out of crowd (and be wary with the new Blood Angels Codex there will be boom of BA Chapters). However, it's good to express the theme in moderate way; Draco the Bloody of Bood Dragons Chapter, who rides in battle on dragon while waving his bloodtongue sword is no good.

 

 

* It's also said in their respective IAs.

 

~ NightrawenII

[Brother Tyler]

The 2nd Founding has been explicitly expanded beyond the old chart, increased up to around 400 Chapters (per the old Codex: Grey Knights).

 

Statistically, unless there has been a significant loss of 2nd Founding Chapters over the years, the 2nd Founding is one of the most likely ones to be used for a Chapter. The 21st (Cursed) Founding is the next most likely.

 

Don't be afraid to use the 2nd Founding if you really want it, but be aware that it is going to take some work to fit it in to the rest of the generally accepted canon (and some members simply won't accept unofficial 2nd Founding Chapters regardless of how careful you are - simply agree to disagree with them on this point).

 

Similarly, don't feel constrained to using the Index Astartes format. It is a very good format, but is not the end-all-be-all of DIY Chapter presentation. Other formats are every bit as acceptable. Even variation from the normal format is perfectly acceptable, whether that is in re-naming sections, re-ordering them, altering the length, etc. There is no set format for how you decide to present your DIY - it is completely up to you.

[Quozzo]

No idea. White text is practically invisible on the IP.Board theme.

 

The "of" in Paladins of Vitae is redundant. Vitae translates just as well to "of life" as "life".

I Agree. The mobile (read: cell) theme has a white background, so white on white is not readable, unless you're on a desktop.

 

The 3rd Founding doesn't happen for 2,000 years and extremely few marines survive that long (Sanguinor excluded), so I didn't want to push that boundary.

The Sanguinor is not a marine, at least possibly not. If he is Azkeallon (SP?) then he is by far the oldest guy in the universe.

 

I have only glossed over your IA tbh. But handing in the STCs for the Baal Pred, the infurnace pistol and possibly others like Angelus Bolter could get in you on the good side of the AdMech, but it would really piss off the Blood Angels if they told you how to make those cool weapons and you betrayed them. Watch your back. It could add extra character, like you have a larger than usual death company (as Astorath no longer turns up, if you like that fluff).

[Conn Eremon]

Just to clarify the 3rd Founding bit (though I fully endorse Brother Tyler's message above about the 2nd Founding, and it's super pleasing to see that mindset gaining more traction among the community), it actually happens one thousand years after the Heresy, not two.  We know that at least two former Imperial Fist Legionnaires survive to see that time, but it's true that it was probably rather rare. That said, the Blood Angels are particularly known for their longevity in comparison to those of other bloodlines.

 

I would say it's acceptable to have your Chapter's founder be from the Great Crusade/Heresy era, and still be a 3rd Founding. Now, it would probably be a stretch to say that the Marine has been around since the beginning of the Great Crusade, as that's about 1,200 to 1,300 years in between. That's Dante's age, so it wouldn't be impossible. Just unlikely, since Dante's age is supposed to be rare.

[simison]

Thank you everyone for the replies and the answers. It's helped answer a few questions, and I've gotten a better idea of how to move forward. I am going to leave it as a Second Founding chapter becuase I will be keeping Carminus and I'm going to edit the main posts so it's easier to read.

 

And really surprised about the white text. All I did was copy and paste it, so I'll fix that in a moment.

[simison]

[REDACTED]