Loyalists' Strategium

[Skalpynock]

Koschei has a powerfist and a dagger; Kozja uses a heavily ornate mace and a pair of pistols.

 

This scene makes me notice how similar Niklaas and Yucahu are in character. Their relationship is something to explore, I think the former will blame the latter for not being at Terra during the siege. And before that, two different approaches at fighting the Traitors: fortifying what they still have versus agressively re-expanding the Imperium.

[bluntblade]

We haven't got enough maces, really

[simison]

Do Koschei or Kozja use swords? Obviously Niklaas has a big old hammer.

 

Err, at what point is this conversation taking place Sim?

 

This is fairly early in the Insurrection. Say, about two or three years into it. It takes place in the Nikaea system, which is the last system that had rebelled against the Imperium within Segmentum Solar. So, they've just secured Solar and Alex has brought his brothers together to give them new orders and to brief them on the full extent of Chaos. 

 

Ideally, this would take place about a year or so before Azus is freed/frees himself from the Traitors.

[bluntblade]

Just one shot across your bows- Nikaea rebelling. The world's in flux/barely formed in geological terms as of M31, and too unstable to settle.

 

Other than that I reckon it works nicely

[simison]

I was thinking there would be other planets in the system that could sustain populations. 

[simison]

The Warmaster stood before the Eternity Gate...

[bluntblade]

Err, I dunno if that flies science wise but hey, it's a big old Galaxy

[Kelborn]

Don't count on science in a universe with psykers and demons. ;)

 

I had three habitable Systems in a nebula for my old lost Legion project.

[Kelborn]

,

[simison]

Err, I dunno if that flies science wise but hey, it's a big old Galaxy

 

Really? It's very common in 40k to have a couple of barren planets alongside a few populated ones. 

[simison]

"Warmaster, I must protest this course of action," Irvin said, his aged features twisted into a scowl. The Legion Master remained at his Primarch's side, his armour covered in honours worthy of centuries of war. "I've reviewed the Custodians' reports, and I've reviewed the reports from the front. This is the single most dangerous battlefield in the entire galaxy."

 

Alexandros hefted the Spear of Terra. "I was spared the Day of Revelation. It's been months since I've seen combat. I know some of my brothers think me a weakling, who merely talks his way through battle. But I am the Warmaster. I will not face my traitorous kin wanting. And, no matter the danger I may face, I can think of no safer place than by my father's side." 

 

Behind the pair was a unit of Custodians. Standing at attention, these twenty warriors of exemplary aptitude were the chosen reinforcements who would replace those who had fallen fighting at the Emperor's side. They patiently waited for the Warmaster to finish speaking with his Chapter Master.

 

"And what of the Warp corruption? Your very spirit will be under assault the moment you pass through the Gate, the Imperium cannot afford to lose you."

 

"If I prove to be so weak," Alexandros retorted as he brandished Aegis, sending the signal for the gates to be open. "Then I don't deserve to be Warmaster. Have no fear, Irvin. I will return in half a day, stronger and wiser."

 

With a cacophony, the Eternity Gate opened. 

 

And hell was unleashed. 

[bluntblade]

 

 

Err, I dunno if that flies science wise but hey, it's a big old Galaxy

Really? It's very common in 40k to have a couple of barren planets alongside a few populated ones.

It's not just a barren planet, is the thing. Nikaea is a planet still in its infancy, geology not properly formed yet and all that. Which implies a solar system that had only recently formed

[Nomus Sardauk]

 

 

 

Err, I dunno if that flies science wise but hey, it's a big old Galaxy

Really? It's very common in 40k to have a couple of barren planets alongside a few populated ones.

It's not just a barren planet, is the thing. Nikaea is a planet still in its infancy, geology not properly formed yet and all that. Which implies a solar system that had only recently formed

Not necessarily, the system may be old Nikeaea could be far younger for example if, like with Earth and our Moon, it was formed after a rogue planetoid entered the system and collided with another planet or something else of significant size. Both planetoids exploded into molten chunks that eventually coalesced into the planet now known as Nikaea by the Imperium, hence why it's geology is so young & unstable.

[bluntblade]

Excellent point

[Skalpynock]

A little epilogue from Simison's scene:

 

 

Yucahu sat in his command throne, swiping away a dozen hololithic notices and alerts and deploying a galactical map. Only once this ritual had been completed did the Voidborn make his presence known. He never bothered announcing himself, knowing well his sire's lack of patience for needless talk.

 

"Sir, what are we to do?"

 

"Deploy to the forge-world of Ryza, Ultima/Central." As he spoke, the map highlighted the system in question, displaying known enemy position and movements  "Possible presence of the Godslayers, Grave Stalkers, or Warriors of Peace. Confirmed presence of Berserkers of Uran. We are to destroy the latter without second thought. The Lions will assist us in some capacity, but if the intelligence reports are correct, the Berserkers alone still outnumber us."

 

"Shall we convocate the nearby Great Fleets?" Dakkar suggested, a rhetorical question which prompted the primarch to display each fleet's location.

 

"Culica's fleet is too far; joining us at Ryza would take them more than a week. Idem for Maloran. Qalie and Ayelat seem closer, and may be able to rendez-vous for joint assault. But Ayelat seems to be taken in a protracted siege, presence unlikely. Limtoc is unstable, but if needs be his fleet can join us in-system in nine days; we will arrive there in four." As he listed the fleets, he mentally estimated the numbers each of them could add to the loyalist forces. Only two of them would be sufficient to balance the battle.

 

"What of the others?" the equerry inquired, surprised at the elusion of one third of the Legion..

 

"Calius had been killed in an ambush. Ad-hoc succession is confirmed to have taken place, but I do not know which ship survived. Alvator is still missing; last direct contact was eight years ago, on the northern fringes." Two more fleets he could not count on. The 4^th was one of the few disciplined fleets, and the best-equipped, while the 5^th was adept at breach-assault. Two things which could have made a difference against the Berserkers.

 

"And... what of Mashyan?" There was hesitation in the question, as if Dakkar knew the response would elicit his lord's ire.

 

"Sohrak Mashyan… is no longer one of us." The question had turned Yucahu's face from idle reflection to a cold mask of spite "He is to be executed whenever possible."

[simison]

I love how matter-of-fact Yucahu is throughout most of this. Did Alvator go traitor or is he simply unaware of what's going on on the fringes?

 

Also, I think one of the hardest things about writing 40k is creating all the names.You have to come up with one, translate to in-universe, and then you're very likely attaching it to someone important, adding more weight to it, even if you're only using this high-ranking person once or twice.

[Skalpynock]

I love how matter-of-fact Yucahu is throughout most of this. Did Alvator go traitor or is he simply unaware of what's going on on the fringes?

 

Also, I think one of the hardest things about writing 40k is creating all the names.You have to come up with one, translate to in-universe, and then you're very likely attaching it to someone important, adding more weight to it, even if you're only using this high-ranking person once or twice.

Alvator is no traitor, he's just so far outside the Imperium's borders that he doesn't learn of the Insurrection until year 12. When he does, he refuses to take a side, and goes half-renegade, harassing traitor forces while conquering new worlds – for his own interest or the Imperium, none knows. The last stages of the war make him ultimately chose the Imperium. His forces are the only loyalist Void Eagles at Terra, where he interrupts the duel between Mashyan and Guaire Amalasan – saving the latter, but suffering grievous wounds. He latter forms the "Sons of Nothingness" cohort (if "cohort" is a general term for chapters, and not restricted to the Wardens. Which I'm not sure about. But that's for later.)

 

Regarding character creation, I make a list of names assigned to ranks, and then use them when needed. Alvator was just supposed to be a Harlock reference, but then I needed to explore large-scale Blackshield, and what better than a pirate captain for it? The less important admirals I just gave two or three words descriptions on a sheet, with the name of their fleet once they break away from the Legion. Qalie is a formidable void commander, and even more strict and straightforward than Yucahu, his soldiers surprisingly disciplined for Eagles; Limtoc on the other side is a complete brute, with a penchant for blooding his armor and eating his foes (and was the original name I had for Yucahu, before I delved into Carribean culture). Two equally correct approaches at fighting the 'zerkers. Be far more calculated than them, or just out-brutal them.

[simison]

A horde of daemons of red rage, excessive purple, and putrid green rushed towards the formation. Unsurprised, Alexandros fired with Ultimatum, the plasma shots burning the most eager of the warp entities. Irvin responded only a second slower as he fired the volkite weapons attached to his Reaper Claws. Behind them, the Custodians reacted with preternatural precision as they broke ranks to form up on the Warmaster's flanks as they added their Guardian Spears' firepower against the daemons. Several of the abominations fell to the barrage, but many more closed the distance between the foes. 

 

The Warmaster stepped forward, and, with a single swing, halved the number of survivors as he poured his own power into the Spear of Terra. Despite their horrific appearances, the remaining daemons were dispatched with ease by the exemplary warriors. More of their ilk infested the halls and were being engaged by other groups of Custodians and the odd Sister of Silence. Alexandros turned to his Chapter Master, "You have your orders, Irvin. Return to the Insurrection. I will convene with Father."

 

With great reluctance, Irvin bowed. "As you will, Warmaster." 

 

The ancient Storm Rider marched away as Alexandros and the Custodians stepped through the Eternity Gate. 

[simison]

Behind them, the Eternity Gate ground to a close as Alex and the Custodians began their journey to the Golden Throne. Several dozen skirmishes stood between them and the Emperor. Without a word, the Custodians dispersed, each deciding where he was needed most, unlike their cousins, the Space Marines, who always fought as a brotherhood. Although his authority as Warmaster was greater than theirs, their work of clearing the hall was an important task. As for himself, Alex marched straight towards the Golden Throne. Every minute spent here was a minute depriving the Imperium of its highest commander. He, however, did not ignore the fates of the Emperor's loyal servants. 

 

A Custodian fought off a red creature of bronze and anger astride of beast of crimson metal. With a glance, Darshan saw the steed leaping at the Custodian, while its rider leaped from its saddle to slice at the surprised warrior. The Warmaster took the image and passed it directly into the Custodian's mind. Thus, when the beast lunged, creaking steel accompanying ever movement, the Custodian dodged as he swung his halberd, the blade slicing through the daemon in a single blow. The Custodian offered a brief nod to Alex before he skewered the steed. 

[Kelborn]

Hey guys,

 

as the Questoris Familia were introduced with the third HH book and they will get their own spotlight in our project later on, I wanted to ask, if there is the need of a Household for the beginning of the Insurrection or if everything is already written in stone?

 

Would like to have a date or special event to introduce House Harkon. In the canonverse, they started with the Dark Compliance campaign of Horus within the Coronid Deeps, etc. to bring up the Knights.

 

So at which date / time can I start to dive into our timeline to write appropriate stuff?

[bluntblade]

Which planets does that out them near? I think we have the Godslayers and Void Eagles possibly waging a campaign in the Depths.

[Kelborn]

Where does not matter for me. At least for now.

When would be of interest. ^^

 

Forgeworld introduced the Knights shortly after Istvan V. So at which point in our timeline do we want to include the Knights?

[bluntblade]

Where influences when, mate. If Harkon originate from a planet near where a campaign takes place, it makes sense for them to be close chronologically.

[Kelborn]

Well, you're right. :)

 

I don't have a fix location for Nordmar for now. Therefore, I'm flexible to place it wherever it fits. Only thing I had in mind concerning placement is that it should be near the Fenris system to let them be discovered by Russ early on.

[simison]

Two Sisters of Silence fought back to back, holding off a mob of horned creatures that sought to skewer them. With great effort, Alex could've focused his power and overwhelmed their null aura with brute force. That course required far greater time and effort than the Warmaster was willing to invest. Instead, he holstered the Spear of Terra before his hand gripped Ultimatum. With several precise shots, fiery plasma melted through the Warp beings. Their numbers and strength halved, the beings of rage  were overcome by the warrior Pariahs, who wordlessly dispatched them.

 

That was a mere two examples of many interventions the Warmaster committed. With every step toward the Emperor, Alexandros swung the battle against the daemonic forces arrayed against the Imperials. At the end of the hall where it opened into the throne room proper, one last barrier stood between the Warmaster and the Emperor. The being stood a head above Alexandros' own impressive height. Red skin strained over powerful muscles that trembled with barely contained rage. Leathery wings unfurled as Alexandros approached stretching from wall to wall. Instead of a human head, a lion's snout snarled as red eyes glared at the Warmaster. At ten paces, the enormous daemon slammed a spiked ax ahead against the marble floor, cracking it, while its other hand tightened around the handle of its other weapon: an eight-headed morningstar. 

 

An impossibly deep voice bellowed, "You shall not pass!"

 

The Warmaster halted and held the Spear of Terra at ease, it's point aimed at the ceiling. "And who dares to presume to bar my path?" he said softly.

 

The daemon grounded its teeth. It desired roars, declarations, any sign of aggression. Which meant Alex had successfully frustrated the beast with his calm words. "I am Razkeracht! Lord of the Second Host, Razer of a Thousand Fortresses, the Carnager!" It paused. With an annoyed grunt, it continued, "I bear a message from my master, Khorne, the Blood God!"