Grey Talons! Basic Sketch done.

[Sete]

We have always been here. We are farmers, we are shepherds. We are warriors! We drink, we dance and we fight!Long had we lived on these mountains, the land of our forefathers, defending it with our blood. Some things never changes no matter who comes... We always been here, we will always be. We were here when the Sun God faced the Moon Wolf, and we will be here when their sons decide the fate of the stars... We are Dragani, And we have been chosen!

Dragani Tribe Elder at the start of the "Ascencion" ritual.


Ancient Rogue Trader Pict of a Dragani Warrior.

The Grey Talons were part of the 13th founding in the early 36th Millenium.
Despite the lack of reliable information, the Chapter gene seed is suspected to be from the White Scars, due to their wild savagery and thirst for war typically found in the sons of the Khan.

The Chapter Keep named Herminium Mons, loosely translated into High Gothic as "The Hearth", is situated in the Highest mountain range of the feral Planet Ophiussa in the west of Segmantus Pacificus.

Herminium Mons

A mountainous and rocky planet, lacking in natural resources, the tribes that make this world their home fight each other for survival. These tribal wars tend to be brutal and provides the chapter with hardened recruits used to the realities of war.

Ophiussa

Home to several warring tribes, the chapter recruits from several of the most tough and unyielding tribes.
The coming of the Sons of the Sun God is a event worth of celebration in every tribe visited. These visits to recruit aspirants are well integrated within the tribal culture which calls these events the "Ascension"
Chosen recruits are given a night with a fertile female of their choosing so they can leave their bloodline within the tribe.

The chapter seems to have abandoned the Codex Astartes in organization and disposition, but without further evidence collected by the Imperial intitutions it is considered conjecture.
The Grey Talons don't use Devastator Squads, Heavy support being provided by the chapter veichles.
The Veterans are awarded the Honour of using Terminator armour, while Sargents commonly use MK6 armour. On closer inspection this award of MK6 armour seems to be a badge of office, no doubt tied to some chapter tradition.
Each company is a self sustained army on its own right, the most experienced battle brothers leading the Tactical squads.
The chapter also as an independent organisation called Slí An Chroí, under the direct orders of the Chapter Master.
Loosely translated as Body, Mind and Spirit, this organization brings together the Chaplains, Apothecaries, and Librarians, dedicated to the heal and balance of the battle brothers of the chapter. They also serve as guides and counselors to the company captains.
The Chapter also lacks ancient technology using more common vehicles such as the rhinos and predators and whirlwinds.
Techmarines skills are highly valued by the chapter, and these battle brothers rarely see battle.
The warriors of the chapter also carry the skulls of worthy allies fallen in battle so their spirits can take joy in the heat of battle once more.
This chapter tradition is seen with dread outside the chapter, and most Imperial institutions tends to the avoid the chapter due to their terrifying reputation.
They are especially feared by the Imperial Guard, where rumors of this infamous tradition spread like wildfire.

Due to their Tribal background the warriors of the chapter are highly superstitious, and adopted several costumes from the tribes of their home planet.
The Librarians tend to focus in the art of divination to better help direct the course of battle, and it is a skill greatly appreciated within the chapter.
After battles, enemy skulls are collected, and burnt so their spirits are destroyed, and worthy allies or brothers skulls are collected, and some might be given the Honor of seeing battle again.

The Grey Talons space marines prefer Brutal Assault, Close Combat actions.

The Chapter seem to split into a number of Battle Companies designed to operate independently. Each has an augmented auxiliary force of Scout Marines for reconnaissance and evaluation of the enemy,

Some accounts indicate that they seem to have abandoned the Codex Astartes-prescribed symbols and insignia that signify rank and assignment in a Battle Company. In their place, the Battle-Brothers use a wide range of tribal markings, corresponding with their Tribal traditions. This is naught but conjecture, however, as again, the Grey Talons are quite unwilling to discuss the intricacies of their Chapter’s organisation.

Only a few intelligible accounts of the Grey Talons exist that tell of the Chapter's very disciplined order of deployment and combat, despite the evidence from casual observers that they are a barbarous and savage Chapter in nature. Their tactical deployments and use of shock-assault tactics is highly reminiscent of the Black Templars. Although these Chapters are diametrically opposed in character, they both tend to display an overriding desire to close with the enemy and shatter their foes in bloody personal combat.

The core of their tactics rely on large detachments of mobile Space Marine infantry. In this way, the Grey Talons make use of the bloody prowess of their combat brethren to carry the day in battle. They often endeavor to be the initiator of combat actions and prefer not to fight on the defensive. Tactical operations often begin with a Battle Company using its integrated Scout Marine forces to probe enemy positions and identify weak points and any target with strategic value. Once identified, a preliminary bombardment to weaken the enemy lines is made followed by a complete and overwhelming assault. They may use Drop Pods, Storm Ravens, or teleportation to make these attacks, and the assaulting forces are often a mix of Tactical and Terminator Veterans.

Every warrior of the chapter also owns a "faca", a large-bladed fighting and utility knife, occasionally used to settle arguments "of honor". In these situations two warriors will attack with slashing attacks to the face, stopping the fight when one of the participants could no longer see clearly as the result of blood seeping from one or more facial cuts.

The gene-seed of the Grey Talons appeared to be stable and displays no aberration or mutation.


"Desperta Ferro" which loosely translates into "Awaken Iron" while beating the Faca on the chest so it sparks.

Captain Korr unknown company.

[DaBoiKyknos]

I think you could have worked out a little more information.

They seem to me a little bit like a mix of Flesh Tearers and Mortificators overall, maybe with a little bit IF´s, but I`m missing a point that really stands out.

 

Recruiting from a barbaric people as a theme isn`t bad, but not really original either. Again I`m missing details and describtions. If they get their recruits from savage people which raid imperial citizens, why doesn`t the chapter try to stop that. They are - at least theoretically obliged to protect imperial citizens. How do they justify this behavior? What conflicts emerge from this practise with imperial authorities and the rulers of the hive city?

 

That they still follow old, outdated decrees of the Emperor seems interesting, but we don`t really get where this strong conservatism comes from.

 

If they come from the Cursed Founding they probably have some kind of flaw. You hinted that they are short-tempered. Is this a result of the founding or do you explain it by the mentality of the people they recruit from? Are they watched by the Inquisiton?

 

Those are the thoughts that came up from my side.

 

Greetings, Velype

[Sete]

Hi Velype. Sorry for the lack of info, like I said im just laying the groundworks for the chapter. Actually my inspiration for the chapter is a single space marine ;)

But thanks for your questions I will developt them further with time.

Also they are from the dark founding not the cursed unless I mixed the dates. When I say barbaric is from an imperial perspective. They do use stolen imperial technology, mostly lasguns. Despite inspirating myself on the Lusitani tribe, they can be compared to modern day rebels.

[EesiOh]

I think you could have worked out a little more information.

They seem to me a little bit like a mix of Flesh Tearers and Mortificators overall, maybe with a little bit IF´s, but I`m missing a point that really stands out.

 

Recruiting from a barbaric people as a theme isn`t bad, but not really original either. Again I`m missing details and describtions. If they get their recruits from savage people which raid imperial citizens, why doesn`t the chapter try to stop that. They are - at least theoretically obliged to protect imperial citizens. How do they justify this behavior? What conflicts emerge from this practise with imperial authorities and the rulers of the hive city?

 

That they still follow old, outdated decrees of the Emperor seems interesting, but we don`t really get where this strong conservatism comes from.

 

If they come from the Cursed Founding they probably have some kind of flaw. You hinted that they are short-tempered. Is this a result of the founding or do you explain it by the mentality of the people they recruit from? Are they watched by the Inquisiton?

 

Those are the thoughts that came up from my side.

 

Greetings, Velype

yeah the 13th dark founding is different to the 21st cursed founding 

[DaBoiKyknos]

Ok, my bad I mixed it up, sorry.

[Sete]

I changed the lore a bit infact it made no sense to have rebels around and do nothing about them. Even so I will mantain the feral tribes background.

Not trying to make a snowflake chapter. Its just another one among many. But for gameplay purposes I will use BT CT, so I want the lore to fit in.

[Sete]

Finally got inspired. Gonna go with Celtic background mostly. Been reading these last few days on Celts and Celtiberans, traditions warfare and what not and I think I have a good thing rolling here.

[Sete]

Name is done! Grey Talons goes perfectly with what I wanted. Will expand on lore this weekend.

[Lysimachus]

Name is good, so in terms of the culture/fighting style of the Chapter I'm picturing somewhere between WS/Wolves with a RG twist?

 

Why don't they have any older vehicles? I get that you said they were created to replace losses, so there might have been an initial shortage, but if they wanted to they'd probably have been able to source more specialised tech over time. Unless there are other reasons; animosity with the AdMech, or maybe cultural preference - I guess a shift towards moving quietly might mean that they wouldn't worry about getting big tanks, etc?

 

On the recruiting from only one tribe thing, I think it's a little unlikely that the Chapter would be able to get enough new Acolytes, unless the tribe is huge... but a massive tribe feels like it would naturally become more ordered and organised and would therefore be a lot less Celtic. Might be better to stick to the Fenris-type feral culture, with small groups but the Chapter uses all of them. Doesn't mean you can't give them broadly similar characteristics/tactics.

[Sete]

Name is good, so in terms of the culture/fighting style of the Chapter I'm picturing somewhere between WS/Wolves with a RG twist?

 

Why don't they have any older vehicles? I get that you said they were created to replace losses, so there might have been an initial shortage, but if they wanted to they'd probably have been able to source more specialised tech over time. Unless there are other reasons; animosity with the AdMech, or maybe cultural preference - I guess a shift towards moving quietly might mean that they wouldn't worry about getting big tanks, etc?

 

On the recruiting from only one tribe thing, I think it's a little unlikely that the Chapter would be able to get enough new Acolytes, unless the tribe is huge... but a massive tribe feels like it would naturally become more ordered and organised and would therefore be a lot less Celtic. Might be better to stick to the Fenris-type feral culture, with small groups but the Chapter uses all of them. Doesn't mean you can't give them broadly similar characteristics/tactics.

Thanks for the feedback.

Most of whats written, I will change.

It was written a couple of months ago while the idea was still taking shape.

What I want to do is, leave the Celtic connection, and the names. They will be of WS descent, but will focus more on shock Tactics like Templars and Space Sharks. A bit more bloodthirsty and violent.

(Will be using Sharks CT).

Obe of the Chapter traditions I want to include is head hunting. While the heads of foes are burned, so their spirit is destroyed, they also collect allies heads, be a brave guardsman, a SoB, a member of the chapter or even a cousin from another chapter, and it is considered a great honour to take the skull of that individual to battle. So his spirit can take joy in battle once again. Something like that. (They will also collect skulls of enemy army leaders and hang them around their feast hall.) Ofc this is not well seen by their allies.

Also they will have some emphasis on Dreads. Because even in death they still serve.

About the recruitment, I think they will recruit planet wide from several tribes. Like WS and SW.

I will have a look at the foundings, but it will be no early than the 36th millennium.

About the Gear, Terminator Suits will be only for the CM and Honour Guard ( they are suposed to be rare right?) And a Land Raider aswell. It will be mainly a drop pod army and due to their savage and headstrong nature heavy support is provided by veichles, so the chapter wont have devastator squads. But tac squad might still take heavy weapons ofc.

They wont use Stern or Vanguard veterans. Only veterans will be the tac squad leaders. Which will have some neat MK6.

Basically main infantry body are tac squads with CCW weapons on drop pods.

Due to their infamy about on the skull collecting business they are seen with distrust and fear by other imperial institutions. But being Insular and proud, they dont care and do with what they have.

Techmarines due to their valuable abilities wont see the battlefield :D.

This is my main sketch. When I get home ill update first post.

Edit: And ofc they will be superstitious and their librarians will have a focus on Divination.

[Sete]

So after a couple of hours, i have done the basic sketch of the chapter. 

Still trying to decide on the colors, but maybe it will be Silver, Blue shoulder pad, head and Backpack and Black Aquila.

Pardon my poor article structure. will improve over time ;)

[paulJam]

They seem to me a little bit like a mix of Flesh Tearers and Mortificators overall, maybe with a little bit IF´s, but I`m missing a point that really stands out.

As much as everyone (??) wants an iconic chapter there's also room for plain janes... not that im suggesting this mob is.

[Sete]

 

They seem to me a little bit like a mix of Flesh Tearers and Mortificators overall, maybe with a little bit IF´s, but I`m missing a point that really stands out.

As much as everyone (??) wants an iconic chapter there's also room for plain janes... not that im suggesting this mob is.

That comment was on a previous initial sketch that I made a couple of months ago.

But I did take some inspiration in the FT, World Eaters, Charcorodons and Iberian warrior culture.

[paulJam]

Understood, think i remember looking at earlier version. Was more an observation. Like where you've ended up with this.