IO - Armies of the Machine God

[bluntblade]

And then, millennia later, disaster strikes.

[ShadowSwordmaster]

For someone reason, I fully expected the Legio Reventus to become ghost titans or at least a titan legion that has ghost like appearance over time.

[bluntblade]

That could be the eventual calamity

[ShadowSwordmaster]

I replaced the ending sentence with this: 

 

 

Despite these rumors and superstitions talk of ghostly beings, Legio Reventus provided the necessary support in many campaigns during the Great Crusade and their betrayal brought much anger and worry about what they will become without the supervision or oversight of the Mechcium or the Imperium.

 

Better or worse?

[simison]

Definitely better.

[ShadowSwordmaster]

Thanks. I'm looking over what I have right now and trying to fix the grammar and mistakes that I made in the intro.

[Darkcommander]

Releasing the entire line of Astartes buggy vehicles, but they will be split between the leigon threads for each individual variant,the Ajax is the Martian redesign of the Barrage, originally used by the Berserkers of Uran. This particular design was never used amongst mechanicum forces itself but was designed and pitched to three legions mentioned below. 

 

Martian 'Ajax' Light Vehicle - Prototype

 

Description

The Ajax is the culmination of several years of redesign of the original plans stolen from Uran, with the Mechanicum' specific mindset having changed it significantly. This version is initially designed more as a base chassis than for any one specific role. Initially, when presented to several Legionary representatives, they were sceptical over the frail nature of the chassis but over time came around to the idea. This allowed the Mechanicum to focus production of the limited amount they were allowed to make into reliable vehicles for the three chosen Legions that would increase their standing amongst them. All specifications discussed below pertain to the base Ajax chassis, any Legion-specific variants and their load-outs are listed separately in their own variant entry.

 

History

937.M30 – Recaf's For Closers

Despite the controversial origins of the Ajax design, the Mechanicum are not an organisation known for letting good technology go to waste. While the fallout of the theft was causing high-ranking Magos of Mars to start worrying about sanctions thanks to their actions, Solix Basilir was already combing through his haul. Taking apart various basic elements that were already present in the design, he eventually revealed the base STC. A highly adaptable engine and chassis system dubbed 'CBM system' (Condition-Based Maintenance). While initially seeming over-complex for such a unassuming vehicle, it was discovered that the system was highly adaptable, allowing various components from a variety of designs -some even millennia apart- to restore it to full functionality. While the fiery machine spirit of the Uran original couldn't be replicated in full, the newly birthed machine spirit of the Ajax was extremely amenable. Renamed under the 'Sigma-CBM System' for use in the Ajax pattern and it's variants, the machine-spirit would happily accept replacement parts from various systems, as long as it got back in the fight as fast as possible. It was from this base design and the following restrictions place upon the production of the subsequent vehicle that a modular approach to designing the vehicle was adopted.

With the limitations put in place thanks to the Red Sands Disgrace, the Machanicum would only be able to supply three Legions with the new vehicle, so through careful analysis and data-processing, the three Legions were picked. With this the Predators, the Crimson Lions and the Warriors of Peace received invitations to their Martian delegations. Though unorthodox, all were invited to several displays and testing facilities to observe the potential of the Ajax. Initially wary of this new design, in no small part due to the inter-legionary effect it would have with the VIIth, the Crimson Lions and Predators were swift in their choice to adopt the vehicle. While designs were finalised for the first two legions, The techmarine representative of the Warriors of Peace, Aris Ballan, was more reserved in his opinion, refusing to agree to any sort of deal. This seeming lack of interest did confuse those of the Sigma-Cant Covenant, who were sure of their assessment formulae that the XVIIth would jump at the chance to expand their operational capability.

This stoic demeanour was eventually broken when a request from the Aris asked that he be allowed to test the vehicle himself in his own workshop on Mars, along with several of the upgrades. While reluctant to just give the design they had spent so much time on over to another party, Solix Basilir himself agreed, with the caveat that the tests would be done under his personal supervision. With an agreement made an Ajax prototype was given to Aris and his brethren, who, in Sollix's own words “Set upon it like a technophage upon an unsuspecting servitor” Through several days of testing the vehicle was beaten, shot, chopped, blown up and even thrown from a thunderhawk into the red wastes and made to drive the 450km back to the Techmarine's workshop, the Ajax prototype was a husk of it's former self. After these several days and the ignored protestations of Sollix, the XVIIth finished their testing, agreeing to the Mechanicum's terms, noting the durability and ease of repair as the deciding factors.

With the conclusion of the testing -both orthodox and otherwise extreme in nature – foundries blazed into life and bulk haulers worked to create and distribute the new weapon to disparate Crusade fleets, where it would be put to good use bringing the enemies of the Imperium low.

 

Technical Specifications

Type: Light Vehicle, Prototype

Vehicle Name: Ajax

Forge World of Origin: Mars

Known Patterns:

Crew: Minimum - 1 Driver, 1 Navigator

Powerplant: Vulcanor 16 Twin Coupled Multi-Burn

Weight: 5.2 tonnes

Length: 5.9m

Height: 3.4m

Width: 4m

Range: 630km

Max Speed:

On Road: 116km/h (72mph)

Off Road: 87km/h (54mph)

Main Armament: N/A

Secondary Armament: N/A

Armour:

Hull: 45mm

Superstructure: 77mm

 

Variants:

-'Razorfang' Crimson Lions Variant

 -Able to transport troops into the thickest fight, the Razorfang is a brute hammer of a vehicle.

-'Conda Inkosi' Predators Variant

- A cunningly stealthy tank-hunter, capable of bringing whole tank platoons low.

-'Heavens-Fall' Warriors of Peace Variant

-Providing heavy support to frontline advances with it's heavy mortar, the Heaven's-Fall lays down withering barrages of shells.

 

Wiki Entry: https://botl.fandom.com/wiki/Ajax_Light_Vehicle

Edited June 3, 2019 by Darkcommander

[Beren]

Placeholder.

Edited January 2, 2020 by Beren

[ShadowSwordmaster]

Ignore this post.

Edited June 16, 2019 by ShadowSwordmaster

[bluntblade]

I really must make a full list of Legios and Houses by faction soon.

[bluntblade]

Prominent on that list will be the Legio Pugilis, raised from the Legio Astorum to defend Iyacrax (and for that reason their sigil will be a fist clutching a star), Periphet of Hephaesta and the Legio Mercurion, founded from the Legio Vulpa to serve Kelbor Hal's appointed magi on Locria after that world was reconsecrated.

 

As per Sangi's request, Pugilis' colours will be yellow and white, and Mercurion's will be gunmetal grey with Martian red. Hephaesta are going to be dark green with silver.

Edited July 3, 2019 by bluntblade

[Nomus Sardauk]

Don't forget the Red hands and lower legs for Pugilis!

[Darkcommander]

So I've finished my Cybernetica design for a battlefield supply/support automata in the form of a flying drone. I'll throw this in here as I mainly expect it to be admissible into the Legio Cybernetica armoury but if anyone has any other suggestions such as the Abyssii (which I have very limited knowledge on) I'd appreciate the feedback before I move forward with inducting this somewhere into the Wikia.

 

Praeceptorem – Legio Cybernetica – Battlefield Support Automata

 

 

Built to bolster the Legio Cybernetica's combat capability as well as it's longevity on the battlefield, the Praeceptorem was built out of necessity as well as the ingenuity born from isolation from their Mechanicum peers. A ferociously effective design, the Praeceptorem can deliver ammunition and Doctrina Wafers and a host of other supplies to active Cybernetica machines mid-combat, vastly increasing their combat potential whilst doing so. Though limited in number due to design constraints, the blueprint has cycled amongst the many Magos Dominus of the Legio, proving itself effective many times over on the battlefields it has graced.

 

 

History

Due to the nature of the Legio Cybernetica's place within the Mechanicum, and the Imperium overall, the Martian sect have faced some strong opposition with every step they've attempted to make. Some consider their knowledge and work to be tech-heresy of the highest order, such is the stigma against the Silica Animus that has been rightly earned through humanity's past. Combating this meant the Cybernetica were alone as an organisation from the start. In charge of their own support networks and allowed small workshops they were never allowed to found their own forges, and the resources desperately needed to help repair and replenish their robotic numbers. This was such a problem that it is a frequent occurrence that machines (Cybernetica and otherwise) were stripped for parts, causing some diplomatic problems with their allied organisations.

As the force developed as the Great Crusade stretched out from the home system, and more examples of technology and civilisations were brought back to the fold, the many Archmagos of the Cohorts sought to streamline their supply lines as much as possible. This resulted in various experiments and one-off creations, but the most widely known and employed example of this philosophy, comes from the Praeceptorem support unit.

Initially the haphazard designs of an unnamed Cybersmith within the Lotus Dragoons Cohort, borne from a salvaged Vultarax automata, it was used to resupply Automata between the rear and the front line. Though the automata was damaged and inefficient it proved to be the spark that would light the fire of knowledge in her brain. Taking the idea to the Cohort's Archmagos it was initially approved, but whether through betrayal or negligence, the Collegiate Extremis eventually learned of the project and intervened swiftly.

Arbitrators of the Mechanicum's many laws, the Collegiate eagerly brought those who were suspected of heresy to judgement. They had made their presence felt within the many Cybernetica cohorts throughout the Great Crusade, being seen as heavy-handed thugs who enjoyed casting a shadow over the small organisation. Through a year of investigation and questioning the Collegiate did their work. Tearing through research while workshops were ransacked for evidence, destroying years of work until judgement was finally ready to be handed out. Amongst the red sands of a desert world, surrounded by the multiple Skitarii Provosts who ringed the accused, as protection for the Collegiate and firing squad for the accused, the trial took place.

When it came final time for judgement both accused faced both judge and firing squad together, and readied themselves to die. It would have been a shock then, that their blood and oil did not stain the familiar red sands that day. The two were in fact praised, showing their ability and devotion to following Omnissiah's teachings in the design, as well as their courage to face the Collegiate's judgement despite the bad blood between the two organisations. On that day the bond of respect between the Collegiate Extremis and Legio Cybernetica was forged and would serve for many centuries to come.

With their names and by extension, those of their cohort cleared, the Cybersmith was permitted to resume her work, even naming the new machine the 'Praeceptorem' class as a jibe to those who had thought to stand in the way of her gift to the Omnissiah. Continuing on into the Great Crusade the new Cybernetica found itself in high demand amongst the cohorts as operational efficiency amongst maniples were said to skyrocket with their presence. It was even found to be a good way of building trust between Imperial factions, as the cargo bay could be loaded with almost anything and sent to help allies in need, resupplying units that found themselves cut off. Even amongst the snowy plains of Galihaed Arta, a Praeceptorem helped turn the tide of battle when it was used in a kamikaze run against an Eldar battle-titan, destroying it's knee-joint when it detonated itself and the plasma battery it had stored on board, whereupon the crippled machine was finished off by the Legio Tonarum.

 

 

Design

Though limited in it's combat potential, the Praeceptorem more than makes up for this through it's effect on the battlefield through it's ability to resupply and augment Cybernetica.

Originally a cannibalised Vultarax the fully developed Cybernetica robot has taken on a much sleeker look than it's bulky and unwieldy cousin. An elongated body section with angled armour covering the top half and the cargo compartment on the underside, this is where the majority of the Cybernetica's systems lay. With a small Rho-IV fusion core and three armoured casings, each containing a cortex brain, the heart and mind of the machine is tightly packed under the armour to protect them from weapons fire. On the underside of the body the cargo compartment and MIU connector are both placed, better for accessing when resupplying a Battle-Automata. With the manipulator arms able to reach the compartment when unfurled and the extendable mechadendrite of the MIU being housed here it allows a Praeceptorem to latch onto the backs of the robots and resupply both their ammunition, along with any updated command wafers for their own cortex brains.

This method of being able to issue new orders without recalling whole maniples has dramatically reduced the collateral damage caused when a unit does not respond to orders as they have gone on rampages in the past that last until their internal batteries run out. Similarly the ability to resupply ammunition and battery supplies increases the combat capability of the Cybernetica extensively compared to their previous limited operational lifespan.

 

Optics

Branching off the body is a large cluster of snake-like mechadendrites, covered in a segmented armoured cowling and ending in a series of complex and esoteric looking targeting arrays. This array allows the Automata to see in any weather condition, as well as track heat and radiation sources. A secondary cogitation array also allows the optical data to be fed into a highly aggressive targeting array that is mainly used when linked with other battle-automata to increase it's effectiveness.

 

Armament

While not designed for weaponry, various additions have been made to individuals units over the centuries, with most Cybersmith's agreeing that a single weapon such as the Phosphor Blaster, affixed to the 'head' is supremely efficient without impacting too heavily on the overall aerodynamics of the Automata. This is by no means standard and Praeceptorem have been documented being fitted with a range of weaponry that can be quickly changed to adapt to the battlefield.

 

Storage

As for the cargo capacity, the internal storage container is quite expansive, and covered in a layer of armaplas for some level of protection for the volatile and valuable resources stowed inside. With the space able to be configured into any combination of the 12 individual cells, it can house a variety of ammunition types and batteries as well as command wafers. If all 12 cells are split up each can house a variety of smaller supplies from rotor cannon ammunition, command wafer containers to Thallax energy cells. If the space is opened up as it's design allows, it can even hold large components such as multiple boxes of Mauler Cannon ammunition or Castellax energy cells. In extreme cases the entire compartment could be used to carry a single ammunition or battery cell for the likes of Thanatar class Cybernetica, and even turn the Praeceptorem into a kamikaze unit in dire circumstances. The modularity of the design and the various supplies constantly needed allow the unit to resupply whenever and whatever is needed, keeping several maniples operational long after they would have normally run dry.

 

Engine

For propulsion an Axion Dual-Phased plasma engine is installed on the back of the body, with a thrust-vectoring nozzle, allowing it to change from a VTOL configuration to normal flight for maximum speed. While secondary, the large wings splaying outward from the main body are essential, as they also contain several powerful suspensor plates, able to lift the unit off the ground and balance it with precision whilst flying and hovering.

 

Cyber Cortex

Part of the advantage the Praeceptorem holds over most other Cybernetica is the massively increased thinking capacity of the machine, with 3 cortex brains linked in sequence helping to guide it all over the battlefield. This reliance on multiple cortex's allows for far more complex commands to be followed by the Automata, allowing it to know what to do in any situation it faces. Though this may sound dangerous to most Magii that could be said of any occupation within the Legio Cybernetica, as is part of the stigma they regularly face. But the Collegiate Extremis concluded otherwise, as the system still uses the command wafers present in almost every Imperial robot. The function of linking 3 at once as well as masterful crafting of the coding by the original Cybersmith, is simply created so well that the illusion of Abominable Intelligence is a convincing one to any outside of the Cybernetica's ranks.

The use of the cortex's by the Praeceptorem shows a heavy tendency for their machine-spirits to be eager, and attentive. Always diligent in their programming they attempt to run into the thickest fights to be able to resupply their allies, sometimes at the expense of their own safety.

The major trick of the 3 cortex system though, is it's ability to augment other Battle-Automata in the field. When a Praeceptorem is resupplying a unit such as a Castellax or Domitar it attaches itself to the rear by way of small magnetic clamps, and while changing ammunition or batteries with it's manipulator arms, the MIU mechadendrite links the two into one. This process of linking the triple cortex's with another turns any normally deadly Cybernetica, into a temporary monster, reminiscent of those ancient and terrifying machines that caused humanity to fear technology so long ago. These bouts of ferocity have been dubbed as 'Logistical Harmonization' by Cybersmiths, but are known more darkly as 'Rust Rage' amongst other Imperial factions that have witnessed the unchained destruction first-hand and learned not to stand in their way.

While the 'harmonization' may be a wondrous sight to behold for Cybersmith's it only lasts as long as the Praeceptorem is attached. After resupplying and rearming the Cybernetica the Praeceptorem's command wafers carry it on to other machines or supply locations once more.

 

Miscellaneous

Some last minor notes for the design specifically involve the manipulator arms mounted on the underside of the body, used to move supplies from the cargo compartment to the Cybernetica and discarding any empty ammo or batteries. Another would be the small extendable feet on the underside of the body with magnetic clamps for both landing and attaching themselves to Cybernetica in the field.

 

 

Specifications

Type: Battlefield Support Automata, Logistical Supply Automata

Vehicle Name: Praeceptorem

Forge World of Origin: Unknown

Crew: 1 Cybersmith Commander

Powerplant: Rho-IV Fusion Core

Weight: 2.8 tonnes

Length: 2.2m

Wingspan: 2.1m

Height: 1.4m

Operational Ceiling: 1.2km (3937ft)

Max Speed: 157mph (252kmh)

Endurance: 76 Hours (Continuous)

Main Armament: (Optional single weapon e.g. Phosphor Blaster)

Main Ammunition:180 Rounds

Armour:

Body: 120mm

Head: 90mm

 

 

Wargear

Infravisor – The Infravisor is a set of sights that allows the Automata to detect infrared heat signatures, objects shedding other forms of electromagnetic radiation normally invisible to the human eye and see in low-light conditions.

 

Enhanced Targeting Array – Certain Battle-Automata are fitted with additional slaved cogitators and sub-incunbula machine-spirits devoted to relentlessly tracking and targeting any and all potential threats in range.

 

MIU Link – Allows a connection between the triple cyber cortex's of the Praeceptorem and the Cybernetica in the field to augment it's processing capacity. Sharing Command Wafers and Doctrina Wafers this allows both robots to mesh their orders and tactics together to fight more effectively as one unit.

 

Upgrades

-Smoke Launchers – Mounting several canister launchers onto the armoured body section, a Praeceptorem can use the smoke rounds to various effect in the battlefield around itself.

 

-Fixed Weapon Mount – With a mounting brace placed under the 'chin' of the Automata alongside a bracing system a single basic weapon can be mounted on the underside. The normal choice amongst various Cybernetica Commanders is the Phosphor Blaster.

Edited July 6, 2019 by Darkcommander

[Beren]

, is simply created so well that the illusion of Abominable Intelligence is a convincing one to any outside of the Cybernetica's ranks.

 

This is not a good idea. If it looks and acts like an Abominable Intelligence then people will try to blow them up, verdict of the Collegiate Extremis be damned. I'm also not sure that the Collegiate would ever praise soneone for daring to risk their wrath, as that sets a dangerous precedent.

[Darkcommander]

That's meant to be more representative of the various Mechanicus factions that think that even the existing automata are abominable, but I get why the phrase is too strong. And the entire Collegiate section was written while sleep-deprived so you'll have to excuse the tangetial, sloppy storytelling there. 

[Darkcommander]

I cleaned up the story elements with the collegiate and toned down more mentions of abominable intelligence as well as making some other tweaks. It's up on the wiki now: https://botl.fandom.com/wiki/Praeceptorem_-_Battlefield_Support_Automata

Edited July 8, 2019 by Darkcommander

[bluntblade]

Adding Richal and Therbium to the roll call of traitor Forge Worlds - both will be in the Tayargund Reaches.

[Beren]

Placeholder.

Edited January 2, 2020 by Beren

[bluntblade]

Nice. Btw, do you have a Legion or Legions in mind for finishing the Madragoran? Could be a good chance to hype the Warbringers.

[Beren]

So far I've assumed that Mandrogora refers to the area of space that later contains the 'Dread' Mandragora Sector, and that the Mandragoran Incursion is named as such because it originates from that region. Of course, since there's little information on the Mandragora Sector and less on the Mandragoran incursion (literally just a one line reference to Anetarbraxus' destruction) we have little way of telling if that's true or not.

[bluntblade]

Ah.

 

Btw, I seem to recall a xenos Barghesi spe ies, but I feel like we're allowed a few coincidences.

[Beren]

So that's why it felt familliar. Shouldn't be an issue to change it, as soon as I can think of sonething suitable as a replacement.

[Beren]

Name changed.

[bluntblade]

Thinking about tactical for the Sin-Eaters, their lack of Mechanicum favour should probably restrict them largely to Questoris armours, though perhaps with a large number of Armigers.

[Beren]

What? They have their own support sect.They are far more a Mechanicum House than they are a Questoris one. Edited July 30, 2019 by Beren