IA: The Dark Knights

[EesiOh]

 

Relics and Artefacts

• Ashbringer, master crafted power sword; This unique sword was forged by the primarch of the XVIII Legion himself. It was a gift to Vlad Lu'Carda for his help against a massive Ork Invasion in the Culandix sector. Beides its normal abilities as a power sword it also can generate fire to cover its blade. Not only will every foe be cut to shreds, they will also be burned to ashes. Disappeared on the same day Radu did.
• Dragon's Claws, master crafted lightning claws with integrated hand flamer; Those former Raven's Talons were nearly destroyed in a battle against an Ork warleader. After theri victory, the primarch Vulkan wanted to thank their saviors, the Dust Devil chapter which is commanded by the Lu'Carda brothers for not only rescuing the lifes of his sons, but for the Million civilians they saved. Therefore Vulkan reforged the broken Talons and integrated hand flamers to support Radu's nickname, the Dragon. Since then they were worn by every chapter master following him.
•  

 

cool as this is I feel like I have to warn you that many people frown upon custom Characters/Chapters having interactions with established Characters ESPECIALLY primarchs/chapter masters. Im not going to tell you how to write your stuff but you have done this twice and many people tend to find this either annoying, or accuse the person doing it that they lack the creative skills to come up with something better. I am not saying that but I am giving you warning that that is what many people think. 

[Kelborn]

First of all, thank you!

It is good to hear that someone really likes it. That is some motivation I like. :)

Concerning your warning. I didn't knew that. I will reconcider that, using some Mechanicum magi instead of Vulkan.

Is there something else I should know? I don't want someone to get upset with it.

[EesiOh]

First of all, thank you!

It is good to hear that someone really likes it. That is some motivation I like.

Concerning your warning. I didn't knew that. I will reconcider that, using some Mechanicum magi instead of Vulkan.

Is there something else I should know? I don't want someone to get upset with it.

not off the top of my head but i know someone made a thread with general things to avoid (dont use 'missing' primarchs or 'missing' legions, dont make loyal traitors, that kind of thing, I will ask one of the mods and post it here when i find out 

[Kelborn]

 

Hey guys,

 

this time I uploaded the chapter's organization and recruitment.

 

Hope you enjoy it.

 

Next update:

 

- The realm of Yamatar (chapter's homeworld + culture)

- maybe: combat doctrine

 

I am looking forward to see some feedback. Especially concerning my updated dramatis personae. No big deal, just one person but he will have a huge impact on their story.

 

With kind regards,

Kelborn

I'm really loving everything you do man, so happy to see you rise from your small beginning to this. On a side note what segmentum are your chapter located in?

 

 

Well, I updated both artifacts with hopefully fitting lore.

 

I just saw that I didn't answer your question concerning the segmentum. I will settle the whole yamatarian realm in the Segmentum Obscurus. As I mentioned in their organisation fluff, Corax wanted to spread his sons sending them in each Segmentum to watch over its citizens. While Deliverance is located in the Segmentum Tempestus, he send the Dust Devils to the opposite side of the Imperium.

 

Besides this I searched a gap in the 40k universe to settle a realm of my own. Maybe Yamatar will be my own little Ultramar. Who knows?

 

Because I'm in a hurry I don't have time to share some thoughts concerning your Archangels. Maybe today evening or tomorrow. Just a tip: your renegade Archangels could evolve in Khorne Raptors. But I will explain this in your thread.

[EesiOh]

http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/132379-guide-to-diying/?do=findComment&comment=1520507 here is the list of DIY chapter creation rules (they are more like guidelines than rules, but good to follow anyway) Its cool to that you guys are in the Obscurous, as that is where me and some of my friends chapters are too ^~^

as for Chaos Raptors, I am slowly working towards that, but I think with my bloodwing and stuff i want to explore them a bit more in story before i write down anything solid about them 

[Kelborn]

First of all: thanks, mate. It gave me an overview of the Do's and Don'ts.

Second: long time, no update. I am currently working on my Liber Challenge. Had some problems with it's background and origin. After reading the recent BA codex I finally found something I can work with.

 

So the next big thing I'm going to post will be my Liber Challenge. After that I again will work on the Dark Knights. As promised, Yamatar and it's culture will be the next step.

 

Stay tuned.

[Kelborn]

Hey guys,

 

although I promised to post their homeworld and culture, to be honest, right now I don't have time to work on them. There are too many ideas and possibilities in my mind. Therefore right now it is difficult to focus on my Dark Knights.

 

Nevertheless I want to show you how they would look like. Furthermore I used some BBCodes to organize this thread.

 

Hope you enjoy it. Until the next update.

 

Chapter Appearance

 

 

Tendo Kashami, Daimyo of the 4th company

Kuzo Joromi, Jonin of the 4th company

Iroba Nagamo, Samurai of the 4th company

Kenji Tamaka, Jonin of the 10th "Yokai" company

 

general colors

Edited September 19, 2015 by Kelborn

[EesiOh]

its been a while but im still lovin all of it

[Kelborn]

The Realm of Yamatar

Sector Nippon

 

 

 

 

Small, by Sector standards, Sector Nippon is governed by the eight great clans of Yamatar and is located in the Segmentum Obscurus. It hosts a number of closely grouped star systems. Most of them are part of the ancient realm of Yamatar. Notable planets of Yamatar are as follows:

 

• Jimaso – Hive World - Jimaso is one of the most productive worlds within the Nippon sector. Each of its four main cities was build around ancient shrines reflecting the four elements, stone, water, fire and air. Chikyu was build underneath the gigantic Kyojin mountains, winning precious ore from its rich lodes. Mizu was build on the coast, harvesting oil and the rich fish population. Uindo can be found in the steppes. There, the hot sandstorms are used for the production of energy. Furthermore they are well known for finding precious crystals in the sand called Fire gems. Kasai was build near a dormant volcano. Although dormant, the geological and thermal activities around it are still ongoing. Therefore the plains around the volcano are in a constant struggle between earth and magma. Thankfully this fight of the elements allows the harvest of rare and precious minerals and gems.

 

• Kitsune - Dead World – Before the Great Crusade, Kitsune was well known as Kimane, the proud jewel of the yamatarian realm. It was a world full of life, beauty and all kind of arts. Settlers from Yamatar established a colony on the planet after the founding of the yamatarian realm. Thanks to a mild climate and fertile virgin environment, the people of Prandium prospered. The planet soon became the most beautiful jewel of Yamatar, a planet of remarkable prosperity and an incredibly rich native fauna. Kimane was destroyed by the traitorous force of the Preachers of the truth. During the Nippon campaign the Dust Devil chapter of the Raven Guard fought against their former allies. During their fight in Kimane’s orbit, a capital ship of the Word Bearers crashed on its surface. The following detonation of its warp enging opened a rift into the warp, allowing hundreds of demons to enter the mortal realm. After realizing what happened, Radu Lu’Carda ordered his troops to bombe its surface, annihalting all form of lives be it natural or daemonical. Since then Kimane was renamed and serves as a memorial.

 

• Koya – Feral World - Koya is a Dark Knights Training World used largely for increasing the tactical and strategic skills of the Chapter's Neophytes. Having several drastic climate zones this world is ideal for their training process and maneuvers.

 

• Niwa - Agri-world - This planet and its orbiting moons have a mediterran climate, making them ideal for agriculture. Its climate and fertility have made it one of the most naturally productive worlds in the Imperium. The inhabitants have harnessed the planet's inherent verdancy, covering its surface with well-ordered farms and cultivated woodlands. There are no large cities on Niwa, but many small towns dotted over the landscape. Being the main food source for the whole realm, it is well protected by several regiments of the Ashigaru-guard based on one of its moons.  

 

• Tanya-ba - Forge World – Tanya-ba is a Forge World ruled by the lord magi of the Adeptus Mechanicum. During the Great Crusade Tanya-ba was ruled by the creative Mori clan, manufacturing all necessary items for the yamatarian military. After their integration during the Nippon campaign it was likely that they joined the ranks of the Mechanicum. Lacking any useful resources after intense reduction over several millenia, they gain their necessary materials by trading with the realm of Yamatar. Of all the local worlds, Tanya-ba is the most specialised, for although its people grow vast quantities of food in nutrient vats, they prefer to import most of what they eat from the neighbouring system of Niwa. Tanya-ba is famous for its orbital shipyards, which provide the spacecraft used by the Dark Knights as well as civil and military craft for wider use in the realm. The people of Tanya-ba share a common culture with the rest of Yamatar but technically are independent of the lords of Yamatar's rule as it owes allegiance instead to the Fabricator General of Mars. However, Tany-ba often relies upon the Dark Knights for its defence and the products of its manufactoriums are mostly intended for use by the Chapter. Nowadays Tanya-ba is threatened by an awakening Necron tomb on Tetsu, one of its moons.

 

• Tengu - Death World - It spends much of its time eclipsed by another planet, causing it to have long periods of twilight and nighttime. Every couple of months, the planet slips out of eclipse and is blasted by harsh heat from the sun. The primitive xenos population, known as Abashi, often seeks shelter in the planet's vast and thick forests, but the during this period, forest fires are also frequent. During the eclipse period, the xenos population is constantly on the run and hiding from Tengu's variety of dangerous creatures. To survive, Abashi learn to be extremely adept at stealth and hunting. On Tengu the Yokai Company trains their tactics and strategies. For most of the time the xenos population is their main victim on which they train their tactics of terror and demoralization.

 

 

Further locations of the Nippon Sector:

 

• Kemono - Ocean World - Kemono is well known for its gigantic monsters, called Kajiu. Neither the people of Yamatar nor the experts of the Adeptus Mechanicus know how these monsters came to be. Therefore no human soul dares to enter this planet as they would immediately been hunted down. There are numerous species on Kemono beginning from small reptiles to several hundred feet tall leviathans. Most of them live in the deepest gaps of the oceans constantly hunting to feed their enormous hunger. Nearly all of them differs from their fellows. Some have powerful tentacles, some have several arms following into huge claws or princers. Some even have some kind of range weaponry basing on bioelectric bolts. Every year during the so called Bodaina Jikan the Kaiju reach for the surface battling against each other to prove their might and to make themselves more attractive to female specimen. Only the strongest example is allowed to breed the next generation. Because of this titanic fights, enormous Tsunamis devastate the small islands doting Kemono's surface.

 

• Takeshi's Eye - Fortress moon - Takeshi Kitano was the supreme commander of the yamatarian forces during the Great Crusade. It was he who lead the defense against the Preachers of the Truth and their allies, the Raven Guard's Dust Devil chapter. Only because of his genius skill in tactical and strategically decisions the realm of Yamatar could hold on long enough until the Dust Devil chapter realized that they were deceived by their so called allies. During the following battles against the traitorous Word Bearer forces, the Dust Devils allied themselves with Takeshi's forces. Unified, they devastated all remaining enemy forces. After their inclusion into the Imperium of mankind, Takeshi ordered the fortification of Yamatars only moon. The whole moon was transformed into a single fortress. Huge halls filled with ammunitions, engines. void-shield generators and everything a fortress needed were carved into the moon. Thousands of cannons from different types dotted the moons surface. But Takeshi wanted more. In cooperation with the Lords of Tanya-ba he created a system of many different stages. To reach the inner systems of the moon every enemy has to go through those stages for example mazes. They are all picked with traps and hidden hazards for example heavily modified servitors who watch over those mazes, striking from the shadows. Since then the moon was renamed to Takeshis's Eye to honor the greatest of Yamatar's heroes. It will forever watch over Yamatar and it's people. The yamatarian Ashigaru regiments use those stages as a competition. During those competitions all weapons are switch into a harmless mode as they don't want to loose their own men. Every year each regiment sends its best soldiers to participate in this contest. With every stage more and more soldiers retire and only the absolute elite may reach the final stage. At the very end of this content they will enter the grave of Takeshi himself. They will bow down and honor their fallen hero. Those who enter the grace are allowed to join the elite ranks of the yamatarian stormtroopers, Takeshi's Gado. The Gado is stationed on Takeshi's Eye and some call them one of the Astra Militarum's most renowned regiments.

 

• The Dreadstars - At the very end of the Nippon campaign in which the Dust Devil chapter fought against the Preachers of the truth, it was a nameless star system where the Word Bearers make their last stand. On the surface of its planets, the Preachers of the Truth and their follower fanatically fought against the forces of Yamatar and their loyal allies. On YT-1300, a Feral World, the last battle was fought. Desperate the Preachers of the Truth called upon their new dark masters, opening several warp rifts. Hordes of demons entered the mortal realm and the loyal forces under Radu Lu'Carda could barely hold out against such forces. Therefore they retreated to their ships anchoring YT-1300s orbit. Entering the Shadow of Liberty's bridge, Radu Lu'Carda ordered a massive bombardment. All of the fleets cannons and launching tubes concentrated on the warp rifts. The rifts finally destabilized after thousands of worshippers died because of the cannonade. They finally collapsed and the whole planet was shaken by the enormous forces it had to endure within a couple of hours. YT-1300 would break apart, dooming all on its surface and all of the loyal ships. Furthermore the rifts energies were set free and formed a huge warp storm. While the loyal forces fled the system as soon as possible, YT-1300 exploded and the warp storm swallowed all remaining planets, separating the system from the mortal realm. This storm still exists. Nobody knows what happened inside of it as all who tried to enter where never be seen again. The lost planets were renamed as Dreadstars, reminding on the furious last battle of the Nippon campaign. Unknown to the realm of Yamatar, the planets still exist. Thousands of cultists, heretics and mutants gathered here and build their own realm. Nowadays is reigned by the Brotherhood of Kain, surviving members of the Word Bearers who gathered several forces of chaos under their banner. 

 

• The green Hell - Once known as Gensei this planet was once a Death World, covered entirely with jungle. After being stopped on the nearby Monsuta, the surviving tribes of the Bonechewa Waaagh! fled to this planet. More a headless flight than a coordinated retreat, the remaining Ork ships crash landed on Gensei's surface. The Dark Knights hunted them immediately and as it seems they were able to eliminate all living Orks. But still some of them survived or were reborn as their seeds weren't found. By now the whole planet is inhabited by new Ork tribes. Lacking the necessary materials to reproduce any form of higher technology, they weren't able to start another Waaagh!. Nowadays the tribes fight against each another. The whole planet is in quarantine. Only the Dark Knights companies are allowed to enter the now called green Hell for practices.

 

• Yurai Nebula -
•  

Edited October 1, 2015 by Kelborn

[Kelborn]

Gene-seed

 

 

While degeneration of the Raven Guard gene-seed means several of the unique organs of the Space Marines no longer work properly or no longer grow, luckily the Dark Knights are not affected. Their brothers of the Raven Guard and its other descendants use the gene-seed which was manipulated by their primarch, Corvus Corax. As the Dark Knights relied on the gene-seed of ther ancestors, the Dust Devil chapter, they don’t suffer like their brothers. All of their organs work as they should. Only the Melanchromic Organ has a unique mutation that causes the skin of the Space Marine to grow paler. Eventually each Marine's skin becomes pure white while their hair and eyes darken, becoming black as coal.

Edited September 27, 2015 by Kelborn

[Kelborn]

Combat doctrine

 

The Dark Knights are well known for hitting weak points in enemy defences hard and they perform lightning strikes upon locations of tactical importance to cripple their enemy. This way of combat doctrine is also called “kyuba no michi” which translates as “way of the bow and horse”. They disdain the notion of recklessly charging into enemy ranks. This differentiates their tactics from those of chapters like the Blood Angels. They perfected this style of combat in such a way that they even rival the abilities of their Raven Guard brothers. The Dark Knights rely heavily on their Scouts for pinpointing enemy positions and to scout for good drop sites. Their Squads and Dreadnaughts are often deployed via Thunderhawks or Drop Pods. This enables them to react very fast and flexible against changing conditions. The favorite weapons of the Dark Knights Commanders are a special type of Power Sword, the Power Katana.

 

Dark Knights Daimyos are fiercely independent, and therefore it's rare for the chapter to fight as a whole. Individual companies are nearly autonomous and are quick to lend their aid to Imperial commanders across the Nippon Sector and the galaxy.

Due to their specialised combat style, the Raven Guard makes less use of heavier vehicles and tanks (such as the Land Raider and Predator) than most chapters. Those units are mostly utilized in massive attacks against the enemy’s weak points.

In close combat they can keep up with some of the most specialized chapters like the Space Wolves or the Black Templars, utilizing their skills with the famous Katana. Even bare handed they are serious adversaries.

 

The Dark Knights as a Chapter are also unusually concerned with civilian casualties compared to most other Space Marines and believe that one of their most important duties is to protect the lives of the Emperor of Mankind's innocent subjects whenever and wherever possible. Therefore one of their main goals is to secure and protect innocent citizens.

Edited September 27, 2015 by Kelborn

[Kelborn]

Belief

 

The Dark Knights venerate the Emperor as a distant figure, who they acknowledge as the founder of the Imperium and its rightfull ruler. But still they don’t adore him like more radical chapters like the Black Templars. In the yamatarian belief he achieved the next step in human evolution and every citizen of the realm is anxious to follow his lead. Therefore they live in harmony and peace with each other. Irrational things like fanatical faith are not welcomed. After the inclusion of the yamatarian realm, their lifestyle was accepted as one of many different forms of the imperial cult.

 

Corax is venerated as their father and leader. The Dark Knights still follow his lead and meditate after every battle. They evaluate every kind of recorded information to enhance themselves. Tactical skills and personal input is likely seen. If there is the chance to defeat the enemy by ramming a dagger in his heart instead of enduring a huge battle, the Dark Knights will seize their chance.  If it is necessary they don’t hesitate to attack the enemy with full forces, concentrating their charge against the weakpoint in the enemy lines.

 

The Dark Knights as a Chapter are unusually concerned with civilian casualties compared to most other Space Marines and believe that one of their most important duties is to protect the lives of the Emperor of Mankind's innocent subjects whenever and wherever possible. This is an attitude that developed as a consequence of the Dark Knights' own unusually close connections to the yamatarian people, as they are one of the only Chapters of Astartes who continue to interact with their families and the people of their homeworld after their transformation into Space Marines. For instance, it is not uncommon for a Dark Knight to serve as an advisor among the Yamatarians and live with them when Chapter business does not require him to remain at the Chapter's fortress-monastery.

 

Because of their strong relation with the yamatarian people and the adaption of their beliefs, the Dark Knights have the conviction that victory over chaos can be achieved. Mankind has to make the next step, leaving its superstitions behind and resist the dark allurements of the dark gods. The Dark Knights will be there to guide them and at last achieve the future the Emperor wanted to create.

Edited October 6, 2015 by Kelborn

[Kelborn]

Hey guys,

 

so, what happened here?

 

I uploaded the Dark Knights Combat Doctrine, Belief and Gene-seed. I revised the Realm of Yamatar post and added several planets and fluff bits. More will follow.

Futhermore I added the Yokai to the chapters organisation post.

 

What is missing?

Homeworld, History and Culture

 

Next I will flesh out their history. By now I got some ideas concerning an Ork Waagh, an awakening Necron Tomb, some Eldar / Dark Eldar raids, a Night Lords warband and MAYBE an involvement in confronting the Moloch Hive fleet. Furthermore I finished the frame for their origin story.

 

As always: Don't hesitate to give feedback.

 

Hope you enjoy reading.

Until the next update.

 

PS: Why is this thread "hot"? Because of the many posts written in short time?

Edited September 27, 2015 by Kelborn

[EesiOh]

Hey guys,

 

 

PS: Why is this thread "hot"? Because of the many posts written in short time?

because you are

no but in all seriousness its because it nearly has 1000 views 

Edited September 28, 2015 by EesiOh

[Kelborn]

Wow...you're right. Over 1k views.

 

Thank you very much. I appreciate your interest in the Dark Knights chapter. :tu:

Edited September 28, 2015 by Kelborn

[Kelborn]

Allies & Enemies

 

 

A list of the most important allies and enemies the Dark Knights met and faced.

 

 

Allies

 

 

Space Marines Chapters:

 

- Archangels

- Space Wolves, Great Company of Duron Helsong

- Storm Riders, Successor chapter of the Dark Knights

 

Imperial Knights:

 

- House Atreis

 

Inquisition:

 

- Grey Knights, Strike Force Tirion

- Lord Inquisitor Kardos Fordrak

 

Eldar:

 

- Craftworld Umare

 

 

 

Enemies

 

 

Forces of Chaos

 

- Word Bearers, Preachers of the Truth

- Brotherhood of Kain, Chaos cult operating within the Nippon Sector, allied with the Preachers of the Truth

- Burning Blades, charnel cohort allied with the Preachers of the Truth

- House Ordok, traitorous House of Imperial Knights, dedicated to Slaanesh, allied with the Preachers of the Truth

- Nightmarchers, Renegade warband formerly known as Storm Riders

 

Xenos

 

- Orks; Bonechewa Clan, lead the Bone-Waaagh!

- Dark Eldar; Kabal of the Reaving Moon

- Tyranids; Hive Fleet Moloch

- Necrons; Setekh Dynasty

 

 

---------------

 

Hey guys,

 

just to give you a quick overview of what will come up in the Dark Knights history. Nearly all of them are DIY groups, for example Craftworld Umare or House Atreis. My goal will be to write an article on every group listed above. Some will be connected, i.e. Dark Knights + Inquisition against Brotherhood and Burning Blades.

 

Eesioh, I choose your Archangels as an ally. Simply because both of them are acting in the same Segmentum and I hope that this will be the first step leading to our Liber Campaigns posted separately. Hopefully I may add some other DIY chapter names as well.

Edited October 6, 2015 by Kelborn

[Doctor Perils]

Sorry, I'll have to look through this at a later date, but...
 
 

 

Forces of Chaos
 
- Word Bearers, the Preachers of Truth
- Night Lords, the Dreadlords
- Brotherhood of Kain, chaos cult dedicated to Khorne
- Burning Blades, crimson cohort leading the Brotherhood of Kain
- House Ordok, traitorous House of Imperial Knights, dedicated to Slaanesh

 

 

Are you suggesting the Crimson Cohort is a chaotic warband ? How dare you ?   And Oi ! The Dread Lords too ? I'm going to be offended soon

[Kelborn]

Oh...snap.  Sorry.

 

I meant charnel cohort, not crimson cohort. A band of Khorne demons...you know... the opposite of a slaughter cult. ^^"

 

 

Instead of Dreadlords....hm....Dreadclaws? I would like to keep "Dread". They shall be the incarnation of the Night Lords Terror tactics....tricky.

Until I come up with a more fitting name I will rename them into Dreadclaws.

Edited September 28, 2015 by Kelborn

[Doctor Perils]

Oh...snap.  Sorry.

 

I meant charnel cohort, not crimson cohort. A band of Khorne demons...you know... the opposite of a slaughter cult. ^^"

 

 

Instead of Dreadlords....hm....Dreadclaws? I would like to keep "Dread". They shall be the incarnation of the Night Lords Terror tactics....tricky.

Until I come up with a more fitting name I will rename them into Dreadclaws.

Oh don't worry about my chapter already being called the Dread Lords, but I would recommend trying to find something else since The Dread Lords part of the Night Lords sounds weird... Dreadclaws are a kind of Drop Pod aren't they ? So I'd steer clear of that as well to be honest.

 

Do you know what is going to identify this warband, apart from using terror tactics ? (my own Night Lord warband is called the Iron Harbingers, because they announce the death of their foes and they follow the Iron Duke (subject to change), whose badge of office is an Iron Crown - they wish to create their own Kingdom of the Night and so feign a certain kind of nobility to support their claim to rule)

[Kelborn]

All righty then.

 

What I had in mind by now:

 

They are the former company of my loyal Night Lord.

They have a Ramilies-Starfort as their base of operation.

They fought against the Dark Knights around M33 or so. During this battle, the warp engines were damaged and the Starfort jumped into the warp. Lacking the control (because of the damaged engines, etc.) they spawn inside the so called Dreadstars. There, they overthrew the surviving Word Bearers of the Preachers of Truth and took their seat as rightfully masters of the system. Furthermore, they took over a functional Strike Cruiser, enabling them to break through the surrounding warp storm. They took their chance and started to raid the entire Nippon Sector. After every battle, they retreat into the Dreadstars. Until now, it is a safe haven as no loyal force was able to break through it. Only the forces of chaos know the warp good enough to pass through.

During the centuries, the warp started to change them. Their leader, Alek Balnaz decided to use demonical powers which lead to some heavy mutations. Therefore he and many of his warband could be considered as possessed. He looks like a winged daemon prince (I know, that's kind of stereotypical, but it fits nevertheless) or indeed became a daemon prince. Many of his brothers took their mutations as a chance to enhance the horror they love to spread.

 

Nowadays, they still reside within the Dreadstars, raiding the surrounding systems. Furthermore they weren't able to repair the Starfort as all materials are used to keep their strike cruiser intact.

 

That's all I got right now. Only some thoughts about them. Nothing final. Therefore I'm open for ideas of improvement. I was so focused on "Dread" because the first thoughts about their leader was an image similar to the WoW Dreadlords. To be honest, I just take those things I know well and try to use them here as an inspiration.

[Doctor Perils]

All righty then.

 

What I had in mind by now:

 

They are the former company of my loyal Night Lord.

They have a Ramilies-Starfort as their base of operation.

They fought against the Dark Knights around M33 or so. During this battle, the warp engines were damaged and the Starfort jumped into the warp. Lacking the control (because of the damaged engines, etc.) they spawn inside the so called Dreadstars. There, they overthrew the surviving Word Bearers of the Preachers of Truth and took their seat as rightfully masters of the system. Furthermore, they took over a functional Strike Cruiser, enabling them to break through the surrounding warp storm. They took their chance and started to raid the entire Nippon Sector. After every battle, they retreat into the Dreadstars. Until now, it is a safe haven as no loyal force was able to break through it. Only the forces of chaos know the warp good enough to pass through.

During the centuries, the warp started to change them. Their leader, Alek Balnaz decided to use demonical powers which lead to some heavy mutations. Therefore he and many of his warband could be considered as possessed. He looks like a winged daemon prince (I know, that's kind of stereotypical, but it fits nevertheless) or indeed became a daemon prince. Many of his brothers took their mutations as a chance to enhance the horror they love to spread.

 

Nowadays, they still reside within the Dreadstars, raiding the surrounding systems. Furthermore they weren't able to repair the Starfort as all materials are used to keep their strike cruiser intact.

 

That's all I got right now. Only some thoughts about them. Nothing final. Therefore I'm open for ideas of improvement. I was so focused on "Dread" because the first thoughts about their leader was an image similar to the WoW Dreadlords. To be honest, I just take those things I know well and try to use them here as an inspiration.

Only a strike cruiser ? that's just enough for a company.

 

Also, how do they get their hands on the starfort ? And didn't they have other vessels before taking that strike cruiser ?

 

Why did they fight the Dark Knights in M33 ?

 

You say that they are mutating, and at least one of them looks  like a daemon prince: does that mean he is really a daemon prince, and does that mean that they venerate chaos ? For the majority of the Night Lords, the gene seed remains extremely pure (I think it's the purest of the traitor legions), and they despise the gods of chaos, so if your's chooses to venerate chaos (one god or undivided), do you know why they are so different from their brothers ?

 

(these are a couple of comments and questions to get you started on something further)

[Kelborn]

(didn't thought of anything else ;))

 

I will use your comments to work on them when the time comes.

 

Right now, I'm concentrating on the Dark Knights history and besides that I'm reading necron fluff to flesh out my Setekh Dynasty.

 

What do you guys think? Is it by now more reasonable than the Black Hands? Are there some weak points I should work on?

[Kelborn]

Well...hoped for something more.

 

Whatever.

 

I think I'm going to revise the enemy section. Right now I'm lacking a reasonable explanation for a separate NL warband. After rethinking I came up with the idea to fuse some of them into one large army. (next possible Liber campaign)

 

What about this:

 

The Preachers of Truth survived the battle for YT-1300. They reside on it's shattered surface, using it as their base of operation. During the centuries more and more followers enter the Dreadstars and join their ranks. Some of them fought against the Dark Knights on their own and fled (House Ordok). Some joined them because of their rising reputation of an autonomous realm (Burning Blades).

 

The Night Lords warband I thought about would likely fight against the Dark Knights, get roughed up and fled to the Dreadstars, joining the Word Bearers. This would also explain their mutations I would like to use on them.

 

That would be easier to explain than several separate forces. They would also be the archenemies I wanted to create.

[Doctor Perils]

Well...hoped for something more.

 

Whatever.

 

I think I'm going to revise the enemy section. Right now I'm lacking a reasonable explanation for a separate NL warband. After rethinking I came up with the idea to fuse some of them into one large army. (next possible Liber campaign)

 

What about this:

 

The Preachers of Truth survived the battle for YT-1300. They reside on it's shattered surface, using it as their base of operation. During the centuries more and more followers enter the Dreadstars and join their ranks. Some of them fought against the Dark Knights on their own and fled (House Ordok). Some joined them because of their rising reputation of an autonomous realm (Burning Blades).

 

The Night Lords warband I thought about would likely fight against the Dark Knights, get roughed up and fled to the Dreadstars, joining the Word Bearers. This would also explain their mutations I would like to use on them.

 

That would be easier to explain than several separate forces. They would also be the archenemies I wanted to create.

You lack a reasonable explanation for a separate warband ? You don't need one surely ? A reasonable reason is pretty much only needed for an eventual alliance: no reason is needed however for slaughter and carnage

 

What I don't get is why you absolutely want your Night Lords to interact with the Word Bearers and appear in the Dreadstars ?

[Kelborn]

To be honest, there is no absolute reason why I want to use Night Lords.

 

As I mentioned in my "Creating an enemy" thread, I wanted to create something like an arch enemy. Now, after rethinking the whole concept of the Dreadstars, I suggest that the Word Bearers would fit as well.

 

Concerning your "You don't need one surely?" (can't quote on this computer -.-)

When I'm working on something I want it to be reasonable for me. In my head I view the idea from every angle. Why would they do this? Why did that happen? Is there something I missed? Something I should have mentioned?

 

Of course I could say: Hey, there is a warband, which raids the entire Nippon sector until they got their butts kicked. And they are nearly completely insane, bloodthirsty and mutated. Why is that? Who cares.

 

But I want it to be understandable. Write something the reader can follow.

Since I started with Dawn of War I created about 7 or more warbands. Every one has it's own fluff idea. But none of them made it far enough that I could write something about it. Mostly because they were not reasonable enough.

 

I don't want to spam this community with all kind of things I have in mind. I want to share those things I'm happy with and you as well can start off with it. This whole community is really awesome. Each day I find another thread with incredible content, for example today I had a look on the "Special Projects" threads. I only want to keep up the high quality.

Edited September 30, 2015 by Kelborn