Renegades and Heretics Part 2: The 'Traitor 17th' Army Log

[Dark_Apostle_XVII]

Renegades and Heretics Part 2: The ‘Traitor 17^th’ Army log

 

The first part of my exploration into the new Renegades and Heretics list detailed my first impressions of the key features of this army and the problems faced by adapting to the change (See here: http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/300916-renegades-and-heretics-part-1-from-astra-militarum-to-imper/). In this second part, I will be putting the theory into practice with an updated and revitalised army log for my own Traitor Guard.

 

This thread will consist of three major parts; fluff, unit showcases and of course, it will be a log of my progress on all new and unfinished projects. However, all of these will be greatly intertwined throughout.

 

For my first post, I give you the starting piece of fluff I wrote for this army; which introduces its origins and the key figures in its creation. Some of you may recognise it from Uprising’s Daemonic Pact challenge, although it has been edited somewhat with the new list and some fresh ideas of how I wanted to portray my characters.

 

Anyway, that’s the introduction out the way. Hope you all enjoy! :)

 

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Origins of the ‘Traitor 17^th’: The Heralds of Truth

 

"All I ever wanted was the truth. Remember those words as you read the ones that follow. I never set out to topple my father's kingdom of lies from a sense of misplaced pride. I never wanted to bleed the species to its marrow, reaving half the galaxy clean of human life in this bitter crusade. I never desired any of this, though I know the reasons for which it must be done. But all I ever wanted was the truth."

— Opening Lines of the "Book of Lorgar", First Canticle of Chaos.
 
Their names lost to the Warp, their regiment forgotten and their once proud home world in ruins the regiment now known to Imperial Scholars as the ‘Traitor 17^th’ had a long and glorious history. Whilst much of this has been erased from the Imperial Archives by Inquisitorial decree, some remains in living memory, and no end of rumours and legends tell of their fall. It is believed their Imperial designation, the ‘Traitor 17^th’ stems from these legends as the number 17 is closely associated with the Word Bearers Legion.

Hailing from an obscure and militaristic Ecclesiastical world within the Maelstrom Zone of the Ultima Segmentum region of Imperial Space, the ‘Traitor 17^th’ were once the defenders of the Imperial Truth in their system; which was joined by a prosperous Agri-World and a tireless Factory World that supplied the system’s garrison with the necessary food and munitions to combat the Chaotic and Orkish threats of the Maelstrom as well as numerous Pirate raids. Their prowess in defending their home world was well known, as was the religious fervour, bordering on fanaticism with which they did so. To all in their neighbouring systems, they were the ideal Imperial Soldiers; veterans of a hundred incursions with unshakeable faith in the God-Emperor to guide them as His mailed fist – yet as legend tells, it was their faith that would be their undoing.

Targeting the Ecclesiastical worlds on the frontiers of the Maelstrom, a strike force of the Word Bearers 30th host entered Imperial Warp Space 3 days before all contact was lost with the system.

Opening a small Warp Rift’s on the neighbouring Agri-World, the Word Bearers unleashed hell on the system as boiling blood rained from the skies, staining the fertile earth below whilst their crops failed; turning to mulch with too many diseases to combat. The ‘17^th’ responded immediately, fighting back the tide of Daemons.

6 hours after the rift had opened, it vanished; the victorious Guardsmen rejoicing in what they believed was divine intervention. However, the first blow had already been struck and the agricultural production of the world had been severely crippled, cutting the system off from its much needed imports. Within 24 hours, hunger had started to set in and riots broke out across the Agri-World in response to the Governor of the system’s command to begin rationing, only to be put down by the ‘17^th’. 

In the wake of this wave of panic and discontent the Word Bearers opened another rift, this time much larger than the first, above the system’s Forge World. The ‘17^th’ once again responded fearlessly but there was no reprieve this time as the rift increased in size, a massive Warp Storm spreading across the system as on the surface of the Forge World a full half of the regiment was stranded and wiped out as the very surface of the planet warped beneath their feet. Three days following their first contact with the Word Bearers, the Warp Storm had grown to such size that all communication was severed between the system and the rest of the Imperium; hope hung by a thread, yet their faith remained. 
 
+++ All official Imperial records end here; with the fate of the entire ‘17^th’ declared as KIA by Inquisitorial Mandate +++
 

 

‘Victory attained through violence is victory indeed. But when the enemy turns on itself – that is the essence of true, lasting victory.’

– Kor Phaeron – Master of the Faith.

 

Yet the legends never ceased, and many in the planets neighbouring the Maelstrom have begun to suspect that the fate of the '17^th' was much darker despite Inquisitorial attempts to silence those they perceive to be 'at risk' of spreading panic and exposing true events.

It is told that when their faith finally abandoned them, much of the populace rose up against the Imperium through fear and hunger. The roots of this uprising had been long in the making for the System’s Governor had given the order to impose Martial Law on the system early in the conflict following food shortages and popular protests over rationing. Feeling betrayed by the god they had devoted their lives to when no aid had come to relieve them; they turned against those who had once valiantly protected them. With fully ¾ of the planet fallen to Chaos, the ‘17^th’ mounted their last defence in the capital city of the Ecclesiastical World in a bid to buy those citizens that remained a chance of evacuation.
 

When the tide eventually turned on the ‘17^th’, after 3 days of intense street fighting and siege warfare, the order was given to fall back. To provide those few citizens left on the planet’s surface a chance of escape, the remaining Imperial forces were to defend the walled Space Port where the last of the evacuations were taking place. When the wall was finally breached, tides of frothing cultists swarming into the streets and shuttle bays, the ‘17^th’, numbering only 100 men now, made their stand, forcing the enemy back from the breach after days of intense fighting and great loss; until only 15 remained of these veterans of innumerable incursions. 

Neighbouring worlds tell of the heroic defence mounted by the ‘17^th’; their tireless defence of the breach despite overwhelming odds, their noble sacrifice as they remained on the doomed planet to ensure as many lives as possible were saved and their last stand before the Shrine of Saint Crassus. All tell of their eventual demise yet the truth is much darker.

 

 

‘A man can be convinced to do anything, no matter how abhorrent, with the right motivation.’

–First Chaplain Erebus.

 

 

+++ Here begins an Inquisitorial Documentation pieced together from captured Cultists in service of the Word Bearers 30th Host and members of the revived ‘Traitor 17^th’ +++

Now so few in number, the last of the ‘17^th’ had no hope of surviving a further direct confrontation with the enemy. Fearlessly resigned to their inevitable fate, they adopted a new tactic in the hope of reaping a huge toll on their enemies before their fall.

 

Hiding amidst the bodies of the fallen before the ruins of the Shrine of St Crassus, their blood stained armour turned grey by the dust that stuck to it and wrapped in their Camo Cloaks, the last of the ‘17^th’ waited. As the Cultists returned, they arose from the corpse strewn ground, like vengeful spectres, prayers to the Emperor on their lips. Striking from the shadows they fought until their laspacks ran dry and their combat knives were dull, disappearing as quickly as they struck and before the enemy could strike back. Fear of the ‘Emperor’s vengeful spirits’ quickly spread throughout he hordes and many a Cultist threw them self into fiery infernos and mutated craters in fear of the wrath of the ‘17^th’; yet their victory was short lived. 

Encircled, and now fighting with what little they could salvage from the rubble, the last of the ‘17^th’ barricaded themselves within the desecrated Shrine they had fought before. It is in this moment, alone and trapped, the enemy closing in on all sides and hammering on the doors and windows the faith of these 15 men finally faltered…
 

As the Warp Storm cleared, and the baying hordes broke the ruined Shrines doors, salvation came. The last of the ‘17^th’ were not met with the vicious horde they were expecting, but by a single man. Towering above all others, the shaven headed man was enclosed within crimson armour etched in unfamiliar script and draped in a cloak of flayed skin. A lidless yellow eye flickered about the room, piercing the very souls of those it fell upon and an aura of unholy power surrounded him, seeping through the room; Feeding on their very souls. As the man spoke it was as though the entire wold fell still and silent; his voice booming, powerful and unwavering yet filled with conviction. He spoke of a ‘Primordial Truth’ and the existence of Gods more powerful than they could ever imagine.  

 

They had witnessed first-hand but a small portion of this power, defying it to the last. Yet it was their conviction that granted them mercy; this Apostle of the Gods had seen their quality, and wished to harness it in service of a new power. They had proven themselves to be more than the weak-willed, worthless human scum that infested much of the galaxy in the eyes of the Word Bearers, and would be allowed to serve them. To renounce the ‘False Emperor’, was all that was asked and their lives would be spared.

 

Inducted into the Word Bearers 30th Host, all were gifted with heavy armour, decorated in runic script that emulated their saviour, and their lifespan was much extended from that of a normal man. They were tasked with forming an Auxiliary force to act in support of the Host. The most devout of these men; he who most willingly fell to Chaos, and was possessed with great skill in leadership and rhetoric was chosen to lead them. Moulding himself in the image of his saviour, he sought to spread the teachings of the Primordial Truth bestowed upon him throughout the new regiment; gaining many followers and orchestrating the fall of many worlds. The remainder, who came to be known as his Disciples for their role in founding the regiment and fanaticism in spreading the Word of the Gods, took on two roles. Firstly, those with an eye for strategy were to accompany their leader to act as his command staff. The remainder formed an elite infantry force that formed the Vanguard of the Word Bearers assault and were dedicated to spreading fear and insurrection before the main assault.

+++ No further information available as most 'subjects' were unusable by this stage of the torture +++
 

 

+++ Transcript - Field Report 113: Commander (Redacted) of the Krieg 256th Infantry Regiment. For the attention of Inquisitor (Redacted), Ref: ‘Traitor 17^th’ +++

A cell of highly trained and well equipped Human Auxiliaries have been spotted and engaged on Monastery Worlds close to the Maelstrom. They appear to be working in conjunction with Word Bearers forces in the region and attempts to capture and identify have been unsuccessful, however our scouts have inferred that they resemble the elite forces of the rumoured ‘Traitor 17^th’; alleged to have once been the (Redacted) Regiment that had previously been considered KIA.

All those involved in the escalation of this rumour have been silenced indefinitely as requested, including the recon force which discovered evidence of their presence. A copy of the Commissars report has been sent for your immediate attention.

 

+++ Included here in Transcript for Quick Reference +++

‘For the attention of Field Commander [Redacted],

 

We have encountered a new enemy in this conflict. Despite being equipped as heavy infantry, in crimson armour covered in heretical script; they appear to be highly specialised in covert operations and stealth based warfare. Similarly to the other forces, non-Astartes forces we have engaged thus far, they appear to be most comfortable fighting on urban battlefields however what is most notable is that they are the elite of the enemy, with skill levels equivalent to our Militarum Tempestus.

Reports confirm they have been both deployed on the front line as shock troops or from Valkyrie transports behind enemy lines. Although sighted on many occasions throughout the war, it is believed that they are the same cell due to identical markings. Thus, we are fortunate that their numbers remain limited.

The interrogation of multiple captured renegades has revealed corroborating testimonies that they are known as the Disciples. Although quickly contained, it is clear that this new information, coupled with their close association with forces of the XVII Legion, draws remarkable parallels with the rumours circulating the Maelstrom Zone of the Traitor '17^th'; a fallen Imperial Regiment that had once been widely known for their heroic deeds in this part of the Imperium.

 

It is of the upmost importance that we make the elimination of these Disciples a top priority in the next phase of the war. They appear to hold positions of leadership in the enemy forces, spurring them on with fanatical words and righteous zeal. It is to be noted that their presence on the battlefield has a causal effect of the morale and ferocity of the enemy. Their loss would almost certainly result in bringing this conflict to a swifter end.

 

Whether the rumours of their identity are true or not, the effect on civilian and military morale could be catastrophic if allowed to spread. This is classified information, and although effectively contained within the recon force at present, it has been deemed “contaminated” and Protocol 57 enacted.

 

I would advise this matter is brought to Inquisitorial attention immediately and my fellow Officers of the Commissariat put on high alert.’

 

+++ End of Report +++

 

+++ Transcript Continues +++

 

I request immediate intervention from the Inquisition as many of our key supply facilities and positions of strategic importance have been destroyed. Analysis of the damage suggests a preference for Plasma weapons of a much higher quality than previously encountered in traitor regiments in this system and this seems to be the case in all other equipment too.
 

[...] Unexplained gurgling and strange voices speaking several unknown languages follow before the transmission breaks [...]
 

+++ Voice Recognition identified one language as Old Colchisian. All others unidentified. +++

 

+++ Fate of Commander (redacted) and the Krieg 256th unknown. +++

 

+++ All attempts at further communication failed +++

 

+++ Inquisitorial investigation force dispatched: ETA 3 Days, 13 Hours, 24 Minutes +++

 

Unit Showcase: Founders of the ‘17^th’

 

This part of the project log details the characters and units that featured in my fluff, focussing on how they will be represented in game. For this section, I will be showcasing the original 15 founders of the ‘Traitor 17^th’; the Arch-Demagogue and his Disciples.

In the text, these 15 men were portrayed as dedicated worshipers of the Emperor whose faith bordered on fanaticism. After their conversion to the Old Faith of the Word Bearers, they remained just as fanatical when worshipping their new gods. As a result, when choosing which units to represent them their religious fanaticism was an important consideration. Obviously, the Command Squad was the obvious choice for the Arch-Demagogue and 4 of his followers, but the remainder needed more consideration. In the end, I chose the Renegade Disciples to represent them as their name draws on the Word Bearers religious theme and the Fanatic Special Rule well represents their extreme faith. Furthermore, all are equipped with Carapace Armour to represent the armour they were gifted with.

 

Arch-Demagogue

Following his conversion, and appointment as leader of the newly formed ‘Traitor 17^th’, my Arch-Demagogue set out to emulate his master, the Dark Apostle of the Word Bearers 30^th Host. As a result, he is equipped with a Power Maul (similar to the Dark Apostle’s Accursed Crozius) and comes with the Arch-Heretic Revolutionary Dedication as the Zealot Special Rule it confers emulates the Dark Apostle, and allows for the purchasing of Fanatic on other units.

Wargear:

Laspistol, Power Maul, Frag Grenades, Carapace Armour, Refractor Field.

 

[insert Photo Here]

 

Command Squad

The remaining members of the Command Squad are equipped similarly with Carapace Armour. One is equipped with a Plasma Gun as the text stated that these elite soldiers have a preference for Plasma weaponry. Furthermore, one has a Banner of Hate, another a Command Net Vox and the last is carrying a Medi-Pack (not actually an option, but represented with a Covenant of Nurgle).

 

[insert Photo Here]

 

Disciples

The remaining 10 men make up my Disciples Squad, which is once again equipped with Carapace Armour and Plasma Guns.

 

[insert Photo Here]