IL X - The Fire Keepers

[Demus Ragnok]

Heraldry of the Tribes, commanders and approximate strength at the of the Day of Revelation

 

The tribes named amoung the Xth legion are those that were loyal to Niklaas during the Witch War. Others exist, some on both sides where extinguished during the war.

 

Esus – two white axes crossed on a black field

Chief Captain Hiram

12000

 

Mogon- a red mountain crowned with white stars on black field

Chief Captain Endor

10000

Legion psykers not sent to the Crucible of Embers were assigned to Mogon after the dissolution of the Xth legion librarius.

 

Esus and Mogon serve along side the 1445th Expeditionary Fleet under

mortal Lord Commander Tyr Askr

 

Nerius- a scepter clutched in a sea serpent's coils

16000

Chief Captain Jehu of Tribe Nerius is Lord Commander of his own 333rd Expeditionary Fleet.

 

Grannus- twelve pointed golden sun disk on red field

14000

Considered Niklaas’ own tribe includes First Company

 

Rudianos –red horse on white field

14000

 

Smertrius –black dragon on white field

18000

Tribe Smertrius deviates from common legion organization. Rather than variable sized Hosts Smertrius is divided into seven equal sized “Talons”. This tradition dates back to Obsailes and is illustrated in the Tribe’s heraldry, the black dragon having four talons on it’s right foot and three on it’s left.

 

Leucetios –silver lightning bolt on black field

22000

Chief Captain Mykaal is the only commander beside Niklaas to have a Triakonta body guard

 

Intarabus –black wolf on white field

16000

 

Vindonnus –black horse head breathing fire on white field

17000

 

Barinthus- silver sword on black field

10000

Thirgen is named Chief Captain after the Day of Revelation

 

Dispater- red spiked helm on black field

19000

 

Ankou- two white scythe on red field

12000

Most tribal names of Obsailes are associated with a fortified village and the surrounding territory. Ankou is the exception. The Ankou valley is a region free of most of the monstrous fauna that dominates the major continent. The people of the region lived simple agrarian lives. The success of Niklaas’ war against the Witch King saw one of that fiend’s followers flee to the area. There the witch discovered a people who did not fear the dark, who did not give their lands and property at mere threat. Niklaas arrived shortly and witnessed first hand the fearsome heart born by the people of Ankou. When the primarch took command of his legion he honored those simple farmers by adding their home’s name to the rolls of the Great Crusade.

Edited August 5, 2017 by Demus Ragnok

[Demus Ragnok]

Of Fire.

 

Fire gives light removing dark and shadow.

 

Fire gives purity driving out corruption.

 

Fire gives strength consuming weakness.

[Chief Captain Redd]

EPIIIIIIIIC! Love the quote, love the concept behind the names.

[simison]

You know, writing for the monthly challenge, it occurs to me that the Fire Keepers are in almost a perfect position to transition to transition to 40k. Throughout the Great Crusade, they come off as the oddballs. Niklaas comes off as slightly paranoid for keeping psykers at arms' length despite the success of the BotL Librarius program. The large and in-depth chaplain order looks like overkill and vaguely like a violation of the Imperial Truth. Then throw in all of the pyromania, and you probably have Imperial Army grunts joking that they're nothing more than a Legion of pyromaniacs.

 

But then Chaos strikes. Suddenly, there are fewer vectors for Chaos to corrupt the Fire Keepers because Niklaas is carefully managing them. What potential corruption there could be is probably stamped out by the chaplains. If a chaplain does feel the allure himself, the Second Circle is ready to move into action. And, all of that fire usage means the FK have a perfect anti-Daemon weapon (from a fluff's perspective). I'd imagine that after the fall of the Ember Host, the Fire Keepers have the fewest defections to Chaos of any Loyalist Legion.

 

Kinda wonder if Niklaas feels vindicated by the time the Great Scouring rolls around.

[Demus Ragnok]

You know, writing for the monthly challenge, it occurs to me that the Fire Keepers are in almost a perfect position to transition to transition to 40k. Throughout the Great Crusade, they come off as the oddballs. Niklaas comes off as slightly paranoid for keeping psykers at arms' length despite the success of the BotL Librarius program. The large and in-depth chaplain order looks like overkill and vaguely like a violation of the Imperial Truth. Then throw in all of the pyromania, and you probably have Imperial Army grunts joking that they're nothing more than a Legion of pyromaniacs.

 

But then Chaos strikes. Suddenly, there are fewer vectors for Chaos to corrupt the Fire Keepers because Niklaas is carefully managing them. What potential corruption there could be is probably stamped out by the chaplains. If a chaplain does feel the allure himself, the Second Circle is ready to move into action. And, all of that fire usage means the FK have a perfect anti-Daemon weapon (from a fluff's perspective). I'd imagine that after the fall of the Ember Host, the Fire Keepers have the fewest defections to Chaos of any Loyalist Legion.

 

Kinda wonder if Niklaas feels vindicated by the time the Great Scouring rolls around.

Picture of Niklaas seated, plucking a stringed instrument and singing

 

"I tooooold you soooooo, oh I tooold you sooo."

[simison]

So, I'm at either the halfway or 2/3rds point through the FK chaplains box. I went to delve into their non-combat duties for a couple of paragraphs before finishing with what the other Legions thought of the chaplain order. 

 

On that note, where and when did the chaplains operate as mediators and prosecutors? Was there jurisdiction limited to Legion matters or did they have a presence on worlds brought into complaince by the FK? 

[Demus Ragnok]

I hadn't considered chaplains having influence outside of legion matters. However they could be more involved on vassal worlds or where there are sizable FK garrisons.

 

Most "civilian" matters would be left to human government types on world brought to compliance.

[simison]

Okay, but how often do they act as judges? What is the most common example of their judicial work? Is it just between Legionaries or will they arbitrate between Legionaries and other parties like civilians, serfs, or other Legions?

[Demus Ragnok]

Okay, but how often do they act as judges? What is the most common example of their judicial work? Is it just between Legionaries or will they arbitrate between Legionaries and other parties like civilians, serfs, or other Legions?

You know I suppose they would be the go to conflict resolution guys. If there is a disagreement with another Legion the chaplains would determine a resolution be it honor dual or whatever.

 

Even legion serfs, regular army grunts, and civilians could seek out a chaplain if they felt they had been wronged by a legionary.

[bluntblade]

A senior Chaplain could even be given precedence over line officers in matters of reward and punishment. Which could be mentioned in Command Hierarchy. Actually, we could bundle the whole Chaplain thing into that.

[Demus Ragnok]

Our oldest tales tell that in the days before days the gods made war in the heavens.

Two brothers fighting for the hand of the most beautiful goddess.

The flames of their conflict ignited the stars. And broke the heart of the beautiful goddess.

Her grief drove her from the heavens and down to this world we first called home.

Here she found us, ignorant creatures wallowing in the mud, simple existing. She took pity on us, taught us language and song, art and science. We built towns and then cities and after long years of toil we set off into the very stars.

But we were foolish. We forgot the first lessons the goddess taught us. After long years we forgot her completely and began our own wars amoung the heavens.

Our pride blinded us. We delved too far, too deep into the void. Without her lessons to protect us from ourselves.

It was then that we found the Red Ones, their skin like iron and their hearts like stone. And their lord, surely he is a son of the gods of old.

They have taken the space bridge and the second defense perimeter. We have closed the blast shields but they won’t hold for long.

Drums, the world shakes, their guns are like a symphony of drums.

We cannot get out.

They are coming.

 

Recovered data fragment #1128-1982

Compliance 77-9

Transcribed from xenoform

Edited August 13, 2017 by Demus Ragnok

[simison]

Besides Niklaas, who else outranks the High Chaplain?

[Demus Ragnok]

Besides Niklaas, who else outranks the High Chaplain?

 

Djozer Equerry to the Primarch

 

Naihab Paragon of the Legion, Champion of the Triakonta

 

The Grand Masters of the Legion War Guilds

Tachmon, Kohathite Guild

Ahoth, Merarite Guild

Harar, Gershonite Guild

 

Masters of the Guilds

Among the ranks of the Fire Keepers legion there are those commanders who have mastered not only the leading of men but also the arts of stone, and steel, and circuits. These rare savants are the senior most masters of the War Guilds of the 10th legion. The Guilds were born long ago on Obsailes as a means to teach young men the skills to survive that harsh world. Over the centuries they became closed brotherhoods. The coming of the Emperor and the Mechanicum to Obsailes saw the Guilds find a kinship with the Adepts of Mars, and the Guilds’ teachings found a home within the legion among those brothers with talent for iron and stone.

 

Master of the Kohathite Guild

The Kohathites were the great builders of Obsailes, raising walls, and fortifying keeps to protect the people of that world from the beasts that roamed in the seemingly endless “ Long Nights”. Those who are experts at building structures also have an intimate awareness of how to break them down.

 

Master of the Merarite Guild

Merarites were the smiths and machinators of Obsailes. Forging weapons and armor and maintaining machines from ancient times. It is to this Guild that legion tech marines belong.

 

Master of the Gershonite Guild

The Gershonite Guild was the smallest of the Obsailan Guilds. It was also the most mysterious. The history of the Guild before the Imperium came to Obsailes is whispered rumor. What is known is that the Guild found a place among the Fire Keepers Legion.

[simison]

Ah, so my idea that the High Chaplain is second or third in command is a bad one. 

 

How do these various factions interact with each other? 

[Demus Ragnok]

It gets a bit confusing.

 

Djozer is the former legion master. He was wounded shortly after Nik was found and was given the equerry post. He is responsible for seeing that the primarch' will is carried out in all things.

 

Naihab as the martial champion is responsible for keeping the primarch alive at all cost.

 

The War Guilds are integral to the FK way of war (engineering/siege work) so the Grand Masters are highly regarded.

 

Really you've got six figures who are all on an equal footing. With the exception that the High Chaplain always holds the "best interest of the Legion" card.

 

So there is always the potential for heated staff meetings.

Edited August 18, 2017 by Demus Ragnok

[simison]

Interesting, so, unofficially, is the High Chaplain second in command?

[Demus Ragnok]

From the outsider perspective I'd say yes.

[simison]

That fits what I'm writing then, excellent.

[simison]

I've finished commenting on their various responsibilities. All that's left is to describe the various reactions from the other Legions. Writing this has given me a few insights and ideas regarding the Fire Keepers. Niklaas really is our Primarch of Justice. While Hectarion and the Crimson Lions are the rulers and able to dispense justice, is it simply par for course as administrators. Here, Niklaas and the Fire Keepers are devoted to justice for the sake of justice itself. So, Niklaas might be our Light Side version of Curze, trading out ambush tactics for siege proficiency. 

 

It also occurs to me that the Fire Keepers might be the Berserkers' true rivals, as opposed to the Halcyon Wardens or the Wardens of Light. The latter two Legions are of course renowned for their nobility and their compassion for the common man. And, while the Berserkers mock them them for this 'weakness', there is a special hatred reserved for the Fire Keepers. 

 

While I might be the first one voicing these thoughts, I think the events prior established help solidify this rivalry. Unlike Alexandros and Gwalchavad, only Niklaas gets fed up with Raktra to the point that a duel erupts. The Fire Keepers embody the creation of defense and strength, whether it be physical, mental or spiritual. Yet, the Berserkers of Uran, with their unnatural sight, are all about exploiting weaknesses to unleash cruelty. Finally, I think the last event that lays the strongest foundation for this rivalry is the Chaplain Edict. No other Legion embodies the chaplaincy as strongly as the Fire Keepers do. No Legion loaths the chaplains as much as the Berserkers do. 

 

Thus, while a Berserker may grin or laugh as he cuts down a Warden of Light duelist or the Halcyon Warden shield-bearer, it is never as pleasurable as hacking down a Fire Keeper chaplain in his own bulwark. 

[Demus Ragnok]

I think you make some solid points there Sim.

 

I'm sure that duel really burned a hole in Raktra.

[bluntblade]

Cue a major facet of Terra pitting the two against one another?

[simison]

Cue a major facet of Terra pitting the two against one another?

 

It'd be fitting since Niklaas would be charged with maintaining the fortifications, but doesn't Raktra get banished by someone else? 

[Demus Ragnok]

Idk I think Mik and Sigi and Raktra have a detailed story on Terra already.

 

May be an opportunity for an event during the Scouring though. Especially seeing as me an Sim worked out some super secret surprise details.

[bluntblade]

Not saying it'd be the Primarchs. There are lots of battles to be fought on the approach to the Palace, let alone across its continent-sized expanse.

[bluntblade]

Triakonta Terminators

The Triakonta were created in the image of Niklaas’ Obsailan bodyguard, tasked with felling the greatest of the monsters which might threaten their master. As such they were armed with huge polearms crafted by Niklaas himself, and Tactical Dreadnought Armour forged in the peerless Corinthian pattern. Superlative warriors all, they were selected for their skill at close quarters, courage and ability to endure.

 

Often they came from the escalade cadres, having proven themselves time and again weathering the fury of desperate enemies. Others were champions noted for their victories over especially monstrous opponents. Deployed in tandem with the Maveshalak and with the Primarch leading them, it was said that no defender could hold in the face of such skilled and unrelenting warriors. However, such was the extent of their specialisation that only Chief Mykaal of Leucetios organised his bodyguard in the same manner, the rest preferring more versatile retainers.