IA: Angels Inviolate

[SupremeGrandMaster_Daniel]

Hey Everyone, 

 

I have an idea for a space marine chapter: the Angels Inviolate

 

Primogenitor: Unknown

Founding: 3rd

 

Home World: Sanctuary

Fortress Monastery: The Cathedral of the Emperor Ascendant

 

General Ideas: 

 

Sanctuary is a feudal society. The Chapter only recruits children from select noble families. 

 

The noble families form a conclave that rules Sanctuary. 

 

The chapter is organized into ten "Hosts" that are the equivalent of a space marine battle company, with their own scouts and veterans, as well as several "Choirs" that comprise the chapter's support units (armory, librarius, rechlusiam, etc.)

 

The chapter specialized in Hammer and Anvil tactics. 

[Lysimachus]

So you're going for a religious Chapter? That can work but if you want them to be believers in the Emperor as a God, it might be wise to make them a bit younger as an earlier Founding Chapter will likely stay closer in beliefs to those of the original Legions, who know him as a (very powerful but still just a) man.

 

Homeworld sounds ok, you just have to be sure that the population is big enough that the nobility is proportionally big enough to provide a suitable recruiting pool.

 

Not much else to say yet except... are you sure you want to name your Chapter what amounts to the 'not violated Angels'? I know it can mean 'not harmed' but... it just doesn't quite fit. What kind of theme are you trying to evoke, maybe we can help to find something else that gets their character across?

[SupremeGrandMaster_Daniel]

You are right about them being a religious chapter. They *do* worship the emperor. You're suggestion about making them a later founding is great. Maybe they should be around 10th founding.

 

Thank you with help on the name. I'm trying to get across the idea of a very religious but also extremely prideful chapter. They see themselves as "angels" to the Emperor's deity. 

 

Maybe angels indomitable?

 

suggestions?

 

Thanks to anyone with comments and criticism :)

[Olis]

Maybe they should be around 10th founding.

 

Personally, when I hear that a chapter is of a later founding, I think of them as in the 20th - 26th bracket. The 10th founding itself is not very young, actually, in terms of chapter ages - it's sort of around the mid-point during the history of the Imperium. If you do go for the 10th founding (hey, it's your chapter after all), then bear in mind that the chapter will be a good five to six thousand years old by the time of the forty-first millennium. ;)

 

Thank you with help on the name. I'm trying to get across the idea of a very religious but also extremely prideful chapter. They see themselves as "angels" to the Emperor's deity. 

 

Maybe angels indomitable?

 

suggestions?

 

Angels Imperious?

Marines Gallant?

Angelic Brotherhood?

 

 

I'm assuming you wish this chapter to be a successor to the Blood Angels? Or am I being presumptuous? Are they heirs to another primarch, have you decided yet?

[Welcheren]

On the matter of a zealously religious chapter, if you do decide to keep at the 10th Founding perhaps just find a very plausible explanation as how their belief in the Emperor as a god develops. Possibly circumstances may force them to fight alongside the Black Templars. They may be impressed with what seems like the Emperor's blessing on them. Under particularly traumatic evens one or two Chaplains and/or Librarians (or even something akin to a champion) receives a vision (something that is ambiguous and open to interpretation) and to them this signals the Emperor's voice. 

 

Personally, I love the ring that Angels Imperious has. It also sounds as though it might communicate the pride you mentioned. The only help I can offer here is: the Angels Paragon (maybe Angels of Zeal or the Peerless Angels). 

 

I would be curious to see why it comes to pass that this chapter only recruits from noble houses. Are these houses (owing to their social status) able to provide better fed and educated aspirants? How much do they know about the future of an aspirant? What happens when someone from outside this social caste proves himself the equal or superior of noble candidates? 

 

Another question. Do I understand correctly that each Host is replete with its own veterans and scouts? So is this organisation a little more like IH clan companies or am I missing something? 

[Welcheren]

Just a thought. How sold are you on including "Angels" in the Chapter name? Given that you might want to underline pride, Lords might work?

[SupremeGrandMaster_Daniel]

Hey Everyone:

 

So I've been thinking. I think I'm going to de-emphasize the religious aspect of the chapter and focus more on the noble houses and how they influenced the chapter over the years. 

 

As a result, the name is now wide open. It needs to be something lordly and arrogant, but not over the top.

 

Any Ideas?

[SupremeGrandMaster_Daniel]

I was also thinking this for the color scheme:

 

[SupremeGrandMaster_Daniel]

What about the Angels Resplendent ?

[Lysimachus]

Scheme and name could definitely work, nice!

[Conn Eremon]

There is a canon Chapter with that name, which has since renamed itself the Angels Penitent, and is well on its way to corruption.

 

There is no reason why you can't use that name anyways, I am only letting you know if that would bother you. There is a canon excuse to keep the name, as there have been times where a Chapter name is used more than once, and that two separate Chapters with the same name have existed at the same time.

[Olis]

Hey Everyone:

 

So I've been thinking. I think I'm going to de-emphasize the religious aspect of the chapter and focus more on the noble houses and how they influenced the chapter over the years. 

 

As a result, the name is now wide open. It needs to be something lordly and arrogant, but not over the top.

 

Any Ideas?

 

Hmm. I think Angels Imperious could still work, if you fancy that name. Also - Have you figured out whom your chapter are descended from, yet? 

[Knurd]

Maybe the noble families can provide the chapter with serfs and staff from their kingdom\region. 

[Welcheren]

Ditto on Angels Imperious... or Lords Imperious. 

[Conn Eremon]

The Lords Inviolate is a good, strong name, certain to be a Chapter filled only with the Emperor's finest. :p

 

I've always been interested in the idea of a home world's feudal society having their nobility connected in some way to its patron Chapter, so I'm curious to see how you'll go down that road. I have two Chapters myself that explore that concept. You can read my Emerald Tigers IA if you'd like to see how I did one of them. I wouldn't go so far as to say I did it "right," but it might help you figure out how you'd like to go about it.

[Welcheren]

If the feudal society of your chapter's home world try to advance a highly rule based social structure (as a means of securing their own social position), and if this influences the cult of your chapter, you could consider the word Draconian for your chapter name. Something like Lords Draconian, unless you find that cheesy.

[SupremeGrandMaster_Daniel]

Thanks to everyone for the great ideas and advice!

 

I'm working on the IA but here's what I have so far:

 

Chapter Name: Angels Indomitable

Founding: 10th

Primogenitor: Dark Angels

 

Homeworld: Sanctuary

Fortress Monastery: Cathedral of the Emperor Ascendant

 

Recruitment: Sanctuary's sun has slightly higher radiation than terran standard. Therefore, to prevent mutation and or corruption of the geneseed, the chapter only recruits from select bloodlines. These "noble families" rule sanctuary and preside over a feudalistic society.

 

Chapter Cult: Like all Dark Angels successors, the chapter maintains strict rituals and observances to maintain the chapter's secrets. All members of the chapter belong to an "order" overseen by a Grand Master/ Archangel. The orders are from highest rank to lowest rank: Chayot ha Kodesh, Ophalim, Seraphim, Erelim, Hashmalim, Elohim, Malakim, Nephilim, Cherubim, and Ishim. The Chayot ha Kodesh being the chapter's deathwing and the Ishim being the chapter's scouts.

 

Organizations: The chapter's military strength is divided into 7 permanent "hosts" that are the equivalent of great companies. The most common use of these hosts is "great hunts" where up to 5 of these hosts at any one time will be off crusading and hunting the fallen. 

[Welcheren]

Are these great companies comparable to Space Wolfes' ones?

[SupremeGrandMaster_Daniel]

Yeah, sort of. 

 

They are comprised of battle companies, deathwing, ravenwing, veterans, scouts, tanks, transports, and such

[Welcheren]

So the radiation from Sanctuary's sun causes mutation? How bad is the mutation among the lesser blood lines of the planet? Or is the exclusive selection of noble families just a precaution? How do the nobles prevent exposure to radiation? Is it because they have access to superior living conditions? 

 

These are just thoughts that might help to flesh things out. Hope they help. If not, just ignore them.

[SupremeGrandMaster_Daniel]

Hey guys! I've been busy writing for a few days, so, while it's not finished yet, I'd appreciate any input you all have on this:

 

Chapter Name: The Angels Indomitable

Founding: 10^th

Geneseed: Dark Angels

Home Planet: Sanctuary

Fortress Monastery: The Cathedral of the Emperor Ascendant

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Origins:

               The Angels Indomitable were founded on the planet of Sanctuary in the 34^th Millennium, during the 10^th founding, from the geneseed of the 1^st Legion.  For over 6 thousand years, the Angels Indomitable have brought death to the enemies of the Emperor, destroying Ork Hordes, decimating the Tau, and standing inviolate against the endless swarms of the Tyranids. However, as a chapter of the Unforgiven, the Angels Indomitable are primarily occupied with the fight against chaos and the hunt for the fallen.

               The Angels Indomitable send their forces far and wide in the hunt for the fallen. Those unaware of the secret of the Unforgiven, might believe that they are reckless in their pursuit of battle. The Angels Indomitable have sent forces all across Segmentum Obscurus, participating in minor and major battles all the while. However, their endless campaigns among the stars are merely a front for their tireless search for the fallen. Every world they visit, every foe they destroy is a part of a much larger pattern, impossible for any but the initiated to discern.

               Among Imperial Authorities, the Angels Indomitable have earned a reputation for honorable conduct and sacrifice. It is said that the lords of the Angels Indomitable will never refuse a call for aid. Indeed, this may be the case, though the real reason for such beneficence is the simple truth that the wider they cast their net, the more likely it is that they will come across signs of the fallen.

               When they come across the trail of a Fallen, the lords of the chapter decree a great hunt and mobilize in force. A great hunt is never taken on by a force at less than company strength and is replete with support units from the entire chapter. The “Huntsmaster” leads this force of crusading angels in search of the fallen. Of course, most of the chapter believes that a great hunt is “merely” a crusade declared against heretics and traitors. Still, entire systems have been known to burn in the wake of a great hunt.

               Even the normally hidebound and serious Angels Indomitable see the successful completion of a great hunt as a joyous occasion. When the host returns to Sanctuary a great feast is held, commemorating the lost and celebrating the feats of all involved. Such occasions are etched into the history of the chapter and considered to be high holy days. Afterwards, while the chapter returns to its normal operations, one of the most sacred rites of the chapter is conducted in secret.

               The capture of a Fallen is a momentous occasion and celebrated by the inner circle in their own way. The ritual of interrogation is unknown to any outside the inner circle and closed to all except the rechlusiarchs and the archangels. While the process is long and arduous, taking weeks or months to conclude fully only two results are possible: the Fallen confesses and seeks forgiveness and is granted a swift death or the Fallen dies a horrible slow death at the hands of those trying to save his soul. It is unknown how many Fallen have repented at the hands of the Angels Indomitable.

 

Homeworld:

               Sanctuary was settled sometime during the dark age of technology. However, as it is located in Segmentum Obscurus, it was not brought into the Imperium, permanently, until the later days of the scouring. Sanctuary itself is a large planet, with slightly higher gravity than Terran standard, making the people of Sanctuary especially strong and hardy. The planet’s surface is covered in vast forests and oceans, broken only by huge habitat complexes set into the planet’s mountainsides. While somewhat of a backwater, culturally speaking, it was chosen as a space marine homeworld for its strategic position, specifically its proximity to the Eye of Terror.

               Sanctuary’s sun gives off a slightly greater degree of radiation than Terran standard. As a result of this and the planet’s closeness to the Eye of Terror, mutation and madness is more common among the general population. Since time immemorial, Sanctuary’s society has been feudal in form. The truly genetically pure humans form an aristocracy of “noble bloodlines” that are held sacred. In fact, extraordinary measures are taken to ensure the purity of bloodlines from rigorous genealogical and genetic surveys to fully radiation-proofed estates and habitats. While the nobles have a tendency to squabble for power, and some even fall prey to forbidden vices that their wealth gives them access to, there is a strong vein of duty and knightly honor that runs through the core of their society. The noble families rule the planet in the name of the Emperor in the form of a council made up of the senior members of every noble house. Nobles are also trained in the military traditions of their people and often serve the chapter or become a member of the planetary defense forces.

The plebian class consists, largely, of families that do not have the resources to maintain pure bloodlines. They would be almost indistinguishable from the noble families except for the telltale signs of exposure: slight radiation burns, small health problems, occasional madness, etc. The plebeians work the land and maintain the estates of the noble families.

Those who have fallen victim to mutation or madness form an untouchable class that are driven from civilization into the vast forests covering the planet’s landmass. They are seen as corrupted and vile. Often, when their numbers swell, the nobility will hunt them for sport.  

The people of Sanctuary react to the Angels Indomitable with a mixture of awe, fear, and reverence. They believe, literally, that the chapter’s marines are the Emperor’s angels and that being inducted into the chapter is the same as ascending to the Emperor’s side. As a result, all of the people’s interactions with the chapter are treated with great solemnity and ritual.

 

Recruitment:

               The chapter recruits only from the noble families of Sanctuary. The Angels Indomitable, being Dark Angels successors, are extremely wary of corruption, physical or spiritual. The chapter recruits the best among the nobles in order to weed out any potential physical corruption and to ensure the sanctity of the geneseed. All male nobles are treated as aspirants from the day they are born, provided their genes are pure. Aspirants are raised in the martial traditions of the nobility, riding, shooting, and sword play. When a noble has reached the end of his initial training, he is sent to the planetary barracks of the Angels Indomitable. There, aspirants undergo the trials.

Only the best are taken from the planet to the chapter’s lunar fortress monastery: the Cathedral of the Emperor Ascendant. From then on, the aspirant leaves behind his past life, forsaking all titles, claims, and family ties, and ascends to the ranks of the Angels.

Those that fail the trials in some way, depending on their degree of success may be allowed to serve the chapter as a functionary. Most often, failed aspirants serve the Emperor and their noble house as members of the planetary defense forces.

In order to prevent any spiritual corruption from taking place, the chapter has, over the millennia, taken great pains to promote piety and unquestioning devotion to the Emperor as virtues among the noble families. In order to accomplish this they take on the mantle of the Emperor’s angels which, as the planet’s society is still relatively unadvanced, the people believe literally. Many of the chapter’s rituals and observances have evolved, over the millennia, to further impart this idea.

Beliefs:

               The Angels Indomitable have been greatly influenced by their history as a Dark Angels successor and by the culture of the nobility from which they recruit, a culture which, ironically, they themselves have greatly influenced over the millennia.

               The chapter, after a fashion, believes that they are the instruments of the Emperor’s divine will, that he has raised them up beyond mortals and given them power to hunt and destroy his enemies. The inner circle also believe that, as the Emperor is all knowing, that he knows of the Unforgiven’s secret shame and that, even now, he directs events to allow them to redeem themselves.

               The chapter also has a special enmity for the traitor, the heretic, and the mutant, due in part to their homeworld’s prejudices and to their legacy as Unforgiven.

 

Organization:

               The Angel’s Indomitable are organized in two different ways: the chapter’s cult and the chapter’s military force.

 

Combat Doctrine:

[Welcheren]

The into kicks the IA off on a nice tone. 

 

I am curious though as to how the Angels Indomitable earn such a seemingly spotless record. I am particularly piqued by the idea that they never refuse a request for aid. What happens when they have just received news that the Fallen might be active in several different places and the Angels have to divide their forces to pursue the Fallen while receiving a request for aid from a different quarter.

 

Or perhaps a as a more familiar setting (based on novels such as Ravenwing), what happens when the Angels respond to a call for aid and while engaged in conflict they uncover convincing evidence that the Fallen might be elsewhere, thus inspiring them to abandon their duties in pursuit of the traitors? 

 

This seems (to me) to be a recurring theme in DA chapters. The Dark Angels have often had to abandon civilians and other Imperial groups to suffer owing to the demands of the Hunt. So I am just curious as to how the Angels Indomitable manage to balance things so well. Of course, it is up to you whether/how you want to address this.

 

I like the way in which you have the chapter influence the culture of their home world and vice versa in a nice symmetry. The attitude displayed towards corruption works well. 

[SupremeGrandMaster_Daniel]

Hey,

 

Thanks for the comments. I appreciate any I can get. :)

 

I figured that the Angels Indomitable may not answer "literally" every request for aid, but that they have answered so many that it is kind of like an urban legend about them.

 

In terms of them balancing the hunt for the fallen with their other duties, I think of them as being very careful and methodical in the hunt. They don't chase after the fallen whenever they have word of them. A commander of this chapter, if he receives some news of the fallen while on campaign is more likely to send a detachment of ravenwing to track and investigate, then report the findings to the inner circle. 

 

They certainly don't want to risk the fallen escaping by pursuing him too closely or without the proper backup. 

 

Does that make sense to you?