Raven Guard thoughts and Ideas

[Daemon2027]

Ok, so I have been thinking on my first love, the sable Ravens of Corax. Now there was a conversation over in the Legion for You For that has got me thinking. I have a few ideas but I don't quite know how to tie it all together.

 

Ok, so the premise. Post Deliverance Lost, the XIX legion had lost most of its fighting strength in the biggest betrayal of mankinds history, and had the suffered a raid by one of the traitor legions and an uprising of the tech guilds on thier home planet. Now Corax has always struck me as one of the more intelligent Primarchs, maybe not in the same way as Magnus or Lorgar, but I think he is a deeper thinker.

However in the book series he seems to take all his legions and strike at one target (only to then split.... no,no, I won't start criticising). He seems to ignore the fact the traitors are just appearing everywhere, and there is no one to trust.

So I came up with the idea that, instead of just ignoring the above, he sanctions a force to strike back, using any means, any tactic, metaphorically they the nukes dropped on Kivahr. To man the force, I thought a collection of Terran veterans, the scum of the prison of Deliverance, pardoned for fighting with Corax, and those effected the most by the events of the massacre. The Terrans would have served all side Horus, some may have even served directly under the Warmaster, and may still wear badges of honour from this time. They would have shown their loyalty on the black sands of Isstvan V, but that nagging doubt remains. So Corax allows them to volunteer for strike force, to attack the enemy with little chance of supply, little hope of reinforcement.

So that's the idea, it opens up the whole list to be accessed, and being set post Deliverance Lost, and being sanctioned by Corax, it allows for the (hopefull) addition of the Wereguild/Raptors (whatever they are called now), and also for the inclusion of the Primarch.

I love the idea of the Mor Deythan too, possibly the best thing Gav created! They seem to be very loyal to Corax and all those shown have been from Deliverance/Kivahr. But I thought they could be a tradition within the Pale Nomads of Shade Walkers, who are effectively Mor Deythan.

 

I thought the force could use a lot of Mark III, mainly cos I like it, but background wise I thought they would partake in a lot of void warfare, but also shock assaults on heavily fortified positions, and have to withdraw under heavy fire. It also matches the fact they are undersupplied, scavenging from battlefields. Mark IV and VI can be used for the recon elemnts such as Mor Deythan. I plan to include the Deliverers, but I was thinking Tartaros would suit them better.

 

The idea is to mix the Pale Nomad culture with the Raven Guard without having to set the force as a predatory fleet off on the edges of the Galaxy, and cutting them off from some of the cooler stuff like Raptors.

So that's the thought. What do you guys think, any input, thoughts on a possibly unique heraldry? I'm planning to stick to the black of the legion and the Raven symbol, but maybe something else to help distinguish.

[jeremy1391]

Hmmm you could perhaps go with a slight modification of the original 19th legion scheme and add a little Raven flair to the shoulders

 

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a148/jeremy1391/Mobile%20Uploads/1F3179CF-7DF4-475E-AE2B-3CC904607B38_zpstbsbv9nz.png

 

Or you could do the body, backpack and helmet all black and do the arms grey and maybe put some facial tribal markings on the helmets/bare heads

[Daemon2027]

Well my black method is dark grey washed back several times, I was thinking of having a slightly lighter grey blended to a highlight so once washed it will seem to be black to dark grey. I was thinking of using just the outline chapter symbol as opposed to a solid one.

[StruManChu]

I like this... It strikes a good balance between the two backgrounds that BL/Gav and FW have managed to establish between themselves.

 

Have you considered doing a rapid-response/airborne force? If they're decorated to winning Kivahr back, then it makes some sense to me that they would be scooting all over the planet, putting down rebels wherever needed... Given their lack of centralised support, it would give you the opportunity to take some of the rarer character/Elite choices - Techmarines etc... Not a particularly tactical choice, but potentially flavourful...

[Daemon2027]

Yeah that's sort of what I think, moving quickly to strike at the heart of the enemy and then withdraw under heavy fire. They have taken the Raven Guard tactic but are more direct, more blunt.

I do like the idea of using different characters. A librarian/shamen type figure, I think Corax wasn't a fan if them, and maybe a chaplain, who had be taught by the one in Deliverance Lost so his loyalty would be in question through association. I've been looking at the Sons of Horus clan style, I really like this, it fits both the Pale Nomads and the Deliverance prisoners. Makes me think that the force would be split into smaller clans, or maybe Talon. Would use Claw but is a bit Night Lordesk!

 

The Praetor will of course be titled Shade Captain, with line captains as Shade Chieftains.

[Slips]

If you want a 2500 point list that spams flyers and the RG specific units, boy have I got the list for you!

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/296687-2500-points-raven-force-one/?hl=%2Braven&do=findComment&comment=3847039

Its with Angels Wrath though. However, if you put the two Storm Eagles in Fast Attack instead of Dedicated you can take Decapitation Strike quite easily and still have the Tac Squads start inside an SA or on the Board. You'd have to drop one of the Fire Raptors though...

[Daemon2027]

Hahaha, I'll have o keep that in mind. I must admit the only heavy support I can envision at this point are Fire Raptors, and that new flyer shown at the weekend will crowd up the fast attack (I mean I could even have jet bikes)

Angles Wrath would be ideal though, with hit and run and the like.

 

I'm not so bothered by a particular list, I find that I get bored of an army if it's to planed. I want a range of units, even Breachers for zone Mortalis. They represent the void combat units. Jump packs swapped for Breacher shields and bolters. The whole army will have a theme void specialist.

[jeremy1391]

Slip streams how can maun get infra visor and cameleoline he's unique so he can't buy upgrades...

[Slips]

If you REALLY REALLY wanted, you could drop the Dark Furies either in half or entirely and slap in a 3rd Fire Raptor. 6 Flyers now, the 3 Fire Raptors being able to hit a total of 12 different targets a turn if you're smart.

 

Edit:

 

 

Slip streams how can maun get infra visor and cameleoline he's unique so he can't buy upgrades...

Apparently he can, I dunno I was told he could. >_>

[Fire Golem]

Some characters can buy upgrades. Or rather, some equipment is purchasable by characters. I think it says 'any RG character can purchase...'

[jeremy1391]

Look in the main rule book under unique characters, pretty sure it says that unless it's in their profile they can't change options (like fulgrim and Ferrus who can change weapons, or how longer can transfigure)

[Fire Golem]

Under Chameleoline and Infra Visor, it says 'any raven guard character can take...' Maun and the other guy are RG characters so they can take them.

[Daemon2027]

We just can't stay on topic cam we! :p

 

So some model concepts, first up, something I've shown before, a Shade Chieftain (Legio Champ).

More an excuse to build a model with an axe and sword, a combo I like.

A Phalax Warder axe, so cool. Brought 10 on ebay!

 

And this chappie is, well initially he was a Dark Fury, but I wasn't sure if it hit the spot with them being a unique unit, so I gave him a Melta bomb and made him an Assault Squad sgt.

However I may remove a lightening claw, or both. I like the claws on bigger models, like terminators and contemptors, but I don't think it fits on smaller guys. Also, how the hell does he use a grenade. I'll have to make him a mounted grenade launcher if I stick with that combo.

 

The Dark Furries I may wait for Forge World, but I really feel something cool could be done with them. The name, especially that of the sgt, Chooser of the Slain, gives me a norse vibe, something tribal, even a bit Night Lord-esk, a primordial terror coming out of the darkness. I would like lightening claws like Curze has (but smaller), with the finger sharpened but the claws mounted on top of the vambrace. Maybe even wings spreading out?

 

Basing needs to be thought about. I'm out of cork and sand, for a few days anyway, not sure if I want to do something different. Will got with the new base size, probally makes sence.

[Fire Golem]

They both look badass. I'm looking forward to seeing what they do with the Dark Furies too. I like the idea of a NL ish vibe.

[Ekim_Trub]

I have combined the colour schemes of the XIXth Legion and the Raven Guard for my 3rd Founding Chapter, the Sable Hawks, and the colours work well together.
I also had my sons of Corax take a more blunt approach, as they can do it when they need/want to, it is just they prefer to utilise guerilla warfare where they can.

I really like the idea behind your force, but I think it would be a bit soon for Chaplains to be allowed back into the Legion by Corax, although I do think he would turn a blind eye to the use of Librarians and would maybe allow quite a few of them into this force to disassociate himself from their use? Maybe use the Mor Deythan not only as hard-hitting veterans but also as Corax's eyes within the force? I would use Tartaros TDA for your 'Deliverers' as it is described as the quickest/most agile of the TDA patterns, so it fits with the RG style of combat imo.

[KBA]

I'm really happy to finally see you returning to the XIX. You've got a great starting point with some really neat fluff. I'll abstain from giving any fluff advice , and simply -- and sincerely -- say Good Luck.

Take those reigns and give'er hell.

[Nusquam]

I've been mixing in some Pale Nomads in my RG force as well. I've been using heraldry and iconography from the Carcharodons and XIXth legionaries from book 3. I already had a a unit of Red Brethren for my Carcharodons so I use them as Deliverers with Ravens Talons. 

[Daemon2027]

The idea behind the chaplain was that the Word Bearer that popped up in DL must have training Raven Guard, now these trainees wouldn't have suffered the same fate as the Word Bearer, but by association, there loyalty would be questioned. So, one get pushed into this force. Or, I may just proxy the chaplain rules to act as a zealos shade captain to leader the Deliverers.

 

Librarians fit well, as I thought Corax was against the use of them anyway. I know there was one in Vulken Lives (I thought the small Raven Guard appearance in there was quite good. The funerary rights of the RG is a nice touch, not sure on Rookery Brothers as a term though!), and I'm sure Corax is the sort to use any weapon so would sanction there use post

 

I will probally have several units of Mor Deythan, one could certianly be the eyes of Corax on the force, in fact they could be his body guard if Corax ever needed to personally lead the force himself.

 

Nusquams, do you mean the Red Butchers, that is a good idea, although I'm not a fan of the models stance. I don't want to put to much Carcharodon heraldry in, want to try and keep the distinct from predatory fleet.

[Slips]

Nope, the Red Brethren are Tyberos The Red Wake's Bodyguard from the 40k Charcharodons.

 

http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Downloads/Product/PDF/C/Charcterupdate.pdf Page 4.

[Nusquam]

No I mean Red Brethren. They're lightning claw equipped termis that are a troops choice with Tyberos for 40k Carcahrodons.

 

Normal RG also had the same heraldry. It's hard to see in the first pic in this thread but it is there, look at his knee. Also look at the RG contemptor in book 3. All RG had the heraldry, only the Predatory Fleets kept it after 10k years.

[Brother-Chaplain Kage]

We just can't stay on topic cam we!

So some model concepts, first up, something I've shown before, a Shade Chieftain (Legio Champ).

More an excuse to build a model with an axe and sword, a combo I like.

This fething guy! Awesome posing and parts choice, and your GS sculpting keeps getting better. That new faceplate looks very smooth.

[Daemon2027]

Thank you BCK, since that pic I fixed the wonky plume, he is ready to get some paint on tonight. I have simplified my model making process, in essence I have stopped true scaling, just adding height to the torso and a little on the neck. This gives me more time to focus on posing, and allow me to build more at a quicker pace. Also means i can spend more time on green stuff skills and hopefully develop it towards more complex stuff. So I have gone from running back to crawling :)

 

On the bus I was giving the force more thought. I really see them as having a very lose connection to Deliverance. Only Corax and his inner circle would know of their existence, and apart from some resupply at the beginning, they would be expected to provide for themselves. The idea is that this way they are free from restriction on the main Legion. Corax and his forces can hit a traitor force, but they would want to keep civilian casualties to a minimum, that what they do. But this force can take any action they see fit. Suspected Alpha Legion operatives in city, butcher the population. Iron Warrior fortress, send thousands of Imperial Army to their death in order to create an opening. Now this makes them close to how I would imagine the Predatory fleet operates. The big difference is that its sanctioned by Corax. So say he is faced with the opportunity to hit the traitors, really hurt them, but the cost in lives would be high, he has a force he can use, even lead, with out endangering the future of his legion. Had the events of Vulkun Lives been true and not a psyker fuelled fever dream, this is the force Corax would use to assault the Night Lord ship.

 

But I don't want to get to ahead for myself and start imaging the full strike force. Its a chapter level organisation, although with massively reduced numbers, so will have a few shade companies. The first one will be the void assault specialist led by the above Shade Chieftain (not sure on the title). He will lead several Assault Talons, plus a Breacher Talon, to reflect their expertise at void and ship based action. They will be supported by one of The First, Pale Nomads interred in Contemptors, and some of the elite Destroyers led by there Moritiat (There is a cool name for them in Extermination). May also start to develop the Deliverers here to.

[Daemon2027]

Ok, odd thing happened.

 

Sat down to paint the champ, basecoat, layer, highlight, all grey, all watered down to the appropiate amount, all fine. Applied first wash, Dark tone watered down with medium, left to dry under a desk damp. Came back, looked a bit blotchy, so gave another watered down dark tone wash. Left, came back to give a final drakenoff wash to add some colour to the black, but it looked as if I had slapped several coats of black paint on its then poured superglue on it. Then poured more black paint on top. Was horrible, so thick. Luckily a bit of warm water and a dry brush managed to remove the paint down to the undercoat so all I lost was an evenings painting. The model is now drying and I can try again tomorrow. I think I will go back to nuln black!