Black Book - Insurrection (PUBLISHED)

[simison]

[Waiting on Athrawes for Bearer fluff, waiting on Redd for the revised Mauler entry, and waiting on Squig for the Godslayer's organization fluff. What does this mean? It's time for the Scions Hospitalier to move from rough draft to the PDF, turning this into a four-way race for the second place finish.]

 

 

THE SCIONS HOSPITALIER
 

Numeration: XIX^th Legion Astartes

Primogenitor: Pionus Santor

Allegiance: Fidelitas Totalis

Cognomen: Stygian Phantoms, The Deliverers (Attributed, source: Imperial Army unitswitnessing post-Primarch strategic tendencies).

Observed Strategic Tendencies: High Profile Assassinations, Exfiltration Operations, Hostile Environment Operations (with a specialization in Ocean Floor OPS), Starship Surface Operations

Noteworthy Domains: Terra (recruiting rights within the Pan Pacific Plains and Mariana), Iona (Legion Homeworld), the Irritum Mare system within the Segmentum Tempestus, Forgemoon Obscura (in orbit over Iona), Tithe Rights to any Imperial Ocean Worlds.

Once known as the Stygian Phantoms, the Scions Hospitalier, much like their Primarch Pionus Santor were not ones to seek glory for its own sake. Coupled with their tendency to aid other Legions in a Supporting role rather than taking the lead, they were quick to make friends among legions and slow to lose Astartes to the attrition of war making their numbers swell in a relatively short time when one considers the ease at which the Legion inducted new members into its ranks. 

With a vastly expanded Apothecarion compared to other legions, the Scions were at the forefront of Astartes Medical Research often sending out Apothecary detachments to fellow Legions to further their cause. In the dark days to come, the data gathered by their Seconded Apothecary detachments to the other Legions would provide invaluable information to the Loyalist Remnants in their fight against the Insurrectionists.

"The Galaxy may be vast and our enemies innumerable, but our spirit is insurmountable and our will indefatigable! Through the guidance of the Emperor and by our hands shall all of Mankind be united!"

-Pionus Santor, addressing his Legion prior to their first departure since their reunion in orbit above Iona.

 

 

[Made a few tweaks. How do they look?]

[Sigismund229]

Looks good but I might ask that Slips changes their pre primarch cognomen somewhat to avoid people confusing them pre primarch with the Stygian Jackals

[bluntblade]

Obsidian Phantoms?

[Nomus Sardauk]

Abyss Phantoms?

[MikhalLeNoir]

Phantoms of the Abyss???

[bluntblade]

Abyssal Phantoms?

[Kelborn]

Phantomical Abysii?

[Nomus Sardauk]

http://i.imgur.com/25hhqqJ.png

[simison]

While Slips has final say, I am of the opinion that the prior name is fine. The canon-verse has several legions that share half a name, I don't see why we shouldn't either.

[simison]

The Phantoms

Initially drawn from the Atlanta Wastes around the fortress city of Mariana, the XIX^th Legion developed a reputation as superlative warriors, even by the standards of the Legiones Astartes. While many of their peers relied on unit cohesion and discipline, the XIX^th drew on the culture of the assassins who had prowled the rooftops and alleys of Mariana, turning their skills to use in open combat as well as stealth as they were eclipsed by other Legions in clandestine methods. The result was a highly individualistic style and a virtuoso emphasis on skill with the warrior's chosen weapon.

Naming themselves the Stygian Phantoms, the XIX^th won dazzling victories and earned renown for dazzling feats of arms. In particular, their battles against the Eldar saw them heralded as some of the finest swordsmen in the Imperium, and they gained a reputation for grandiose, complex strategies. However, they also met with criticism from some quarters where they were perceived as glory hounds, unwilling to work alongside other Legions and adapt to their methods. At the same time, their culture of individual prowess resulted in several near disasters when disciplined opponents exploited their loose formations and convoluted strategies, and they saw a greater attrition rate among neophytes than most Legions. 

Legion Master Antonidas worked hard to curb some of these excesses and yoke them back to the economical ways of the old Mariannan assassins, but met stubborn resistance from many of his captains. Consequently, the Phantoms remained one of the smallest Legions for decades.

Child of the Sea

Unlike most of his brothers, Pionus Santor’s pod did not come to rest on land. Instead he was set afloat on the seas that covered Iona, save for a single continent. By chance, the pod entered the atmosphere within sight of this landmass, and was spotted by a scientist named Archimados Santor, stargazing with his daughter Inna. 

Iona had begun as a scientific outpost, and as the Age of Strife loomed its inhabitants had turned all their knowledge towards keeping their civilisation intact. They succeeded in this, but they knew little comfort during their lives. Conflict was kept in check largely by the danger of violence damaging the undersea structures so many people lived in, rather than the people's contentment. Expeditions were occasionally mounted to the abyssal trenches, where some facilities were known to have sunk. However, almost all who ventured into those depths were devoured by the creatures that lived there, and those facilities found were often buried by tectonic activity or ruined beyond use by water pressure. As the settlements' resources were gradually denuded, these voyages became steadily more infrequent.

Archimados was one of the leading scientists seeking a way to avert this glacial collapse, and, in an unusual display of superstition, took the infant primarch as a good omen of sorts. Aside from anything else, Pionus was a new element that must surely change the equation in some way. Just how much he would do so, no one imagined.

The child's rapid growth and incredible stature were a source of fear as well as awe, but mostly he was treated with clinical, scientific curiosity. As a result the young primarch regarded himself with a distressing sense of confusion, fortunately eased by his adoptive family. Nonetheless, as his understanding outstripped that of Iona's leading scientists, he worked to understand his unique gifts, and began to put these lessons to use.

The high gravity of Iona had resulted in its people developing denser bones and a higher muscle mass than baseline humans. These adaptations also meant that they were well-equipped to receive the improvements that Pionus devised to help them and improve their lives. These were initially based on enhancing their senses and physical strength. However, as Pionus began more esoteric work on replicating his pulmonary and cardiovascular gifts, he ran up against the limits of Iona's technology. Seeking a solution, he turned to the submerged facilities in the abysses.

To deal with the monsters that stood in his way, Pionus set his intellect to arming himself and the other would-be explorers. This extended beyond their weapons and armour to include understanding the creatures; Pionus began by hunting smaller beasts, dissecting his kills to glean information on how they might be brought down with relative ease. Throughout this undertaking he was supported by Archimados and Inna, who doggedly accompanied Pionus on these hunts despite his initial objections.

Thus armed, he led his expeditions into the depths and, in a remarkable turn of events, located several lost bases and retrieved STCs and lost devices. With these he was able to advance his campaign to grant Iona's people greater vitality and abilities, and for the first time in centuries the undersea settlements began to expand. This process gathered pace over the years, and when the Halcyon Wardens drew near, their leaders perceived a world prospering under a primarch's direction.

On meeting with Alexandros, Pionus felt true kinship with another being for the first time, and to his own surprise he struggled to restrain his emotions. After enquiring diligently about the Imperium he requested a meeting with his father, at which he subsequently swore allegiance and pledged himself to the Great Crusade.

In keeping with this, Iona became both a recruitment world and a hub of research into how the Astartes might make war more effectively. The one pristine base Pionus had located in the depths, which had become his personal laboratorium, grew into an artificer armatorium. Over the years it played a small but significant role in the development of technologies such as Terminator armour, as well as the Scions’ signature wave blades.

 

[Cleaned out some spelling errors.]

[Sigismund229]

First two world sections done. Is there a third I need to do?

 

Kataii

The world over which the Bear would fall, Kataii, was unremarkable in many ways. Settled at some time prior to the Age of Strife, Kataii had largely escaped the ravages of war and the Great Crusade, forming part of the Vorentine Theocracy as it had. For most of its history, wars had happened elsewhere and when the Great Crusade arrived in the form of several companies from the IX^th legion the Princes of Kataii had the good sense to surrender without fighting. Soon the iterators began to spread the Imperial Truth to Kataii’s population and several regiments of Imperial Army volunteers were raised from Kataii and the Princes readily sent food to other nearby Imperial worlds who had no capacity to grow their own.

 

As a point of relative stability in the warp in the galactic north east, Kataii soon became a system capital in the Imperium. Expeditions regularly used Kataii as a muster point before they set off into the dark of the Ghoul Stars. Supplies of every kind flowed through Kataii’s orbital docks and onto supply ships bound for the front. Wealth flowed into Kataii from across the Imperium and much of this was put towards the building of the City of Glass. A wonder of engineering built by Peeter Egon Momus, this city was built from nothing but various types of glass, from pieces so dark that they seemed to swallow all the light around them to reflective panes that shone in the mid-day sun. At the heart of this new city was the Hall of Triumph, a place where trophies from across the Ghoul Stars were displayed, from the preserved cadavers of xenos warriors to wonders of technology. However, behind this veneer of magnificence was a poisoned core.

 

Even after their official adoption of the Imperial Truth, the Knightly Princes of Kataii had refused to give up their old gods. Highest among these was Thoth, God of Knowledge and bringer of light. Behind closed doors, they continued to worship him and ask for his blessings and sheltering his priests within their grand mansions, biding their time until the time came to overthrow the vile Emperor and his laughable Imperial Truth and reinstate the true gods. Scarce months before Icarion Anasem revealed his treachery, the priests of Thoth announced that the time had come.

 

Mounting their knights, the Princes of Kataii slaughtered the Imperial garrison of their world and declared the Imperial Truth to be false. When news of this reached the Imperium in the form of a garbled message from Marshal Eshila Vonn, the Warmaster decided to react with crushing force in order to crush the rebellion and send out a warning to any other worlds who harboured thoughts of rebellion. He despatched nearly the entire Iron Bears legion to put down the rebellion, a hammer to crack a nut perhaps but one that sent a clear message. However, little known to him the Stormborn had sent the Grave Stalkers and Godslayers to destroy the Iron Bears and kill Daer’dd in the void over Kataii. 

 

 

Untara Prime

The world upon which the XVI^th and XIX^th legions clashed was the oceanic world of Untara Prime located in the galactic south west. In the local dialect of Imperial Gothic, Untara translates as "The Blue World" and such a monicker is apt for there is no large body of land upon Untara Prime, save its poles, each the size of the old continent of Azya yet still dwarfed by the mass of water that surrounds them. This vast ocean contains a whole host of inhabitants and sights which both alight and bewilder the senses of anyone born elsewhere. One example are the korona reefs. Formed entirely of korona, these shell like formations secrete a lilac licoloured liquid which gradually turns the sea around them purple, lending some to say that once the entirety of Untara's ocean was purple before human settlement began to destroy korona reefs, a scientific imposibility and a myth I am assured, but a colourful one.

However, it is not for its bizzare oceanic flora and fuana that Untara is valued by the Imperium, but rather for the resources hidden beneath its ocean floor. While many have been mined dry by generation upon generation of humans who have lived on Untara, the world still contains large deposits of metals such as adamantium and even gold. However, all of these pale to insignificance when compared to what the world principally contributes: promethium. The amount of this vital resource contained on Untara is enormous, far exceeding the reserves or extraction rate of any other world in its immediate vicinity. Indeed, it was promethium that was the source of Untara's wealth before its conquest by the Imperium, as Untara sat at the heart of an enormous trading empire, each world within that empire utterly dependent on Untaran promethium. So extensively is promethium drilled and refined upon Untara that, by itself, the world contributes 1.83% of the total promethium needed by the south western front of the Great Crusade.

Because of this importance, Untara was allowed to keep a large scale role within the management of the south western Imperium, controlling as it did the "Greater Untaran Zone", a conglomeration of nearly 200 world given to Untara to administer and collect tithes from on behalf of the Imperium. However, at the time of the Insurrection the Untaran Senate had begun to withold revenues due to the Imperium, pleading poverty due to the Imperium's "extortionate" tithes of promethium. It was because of this that Pionius Santor was sent by the Warmaster to Untara, to resupply whilst preparing to join the newly formed 603^rd expedition fleet and to persuade the Untarans of the need to pay their tithes in order to ensure the continued good will of the Imperium.

[Sigismund229]

Any more fluff I can write for book 1? And it doesn't even need to be anything enormous I just need something to distract my mind(otherwise I may end up starting work on another Lost Legion who I have a basic framework for, the Undying Sons)

[simison]

If you could help Squig finish the Godslayers' Organization chapter, that'd be terrific. It's what's currently holding them back.

[bluntblade]

My draft of Odyssalas' testimony at the Prosecution:

 

+++++

 

Pionus next took the stand. First he disputed the Jade General's claims against psykers, arguing that it was a gross fallacy to try and excise the psyker gene from humanity. He then turned his attention to the wider question of gene-manipulation.

 

Bio-artificing and genetic augmentation, Pionus argued, had their place in securing the strength and happiness of all Mankind. He spoke of humans given the chance to live longer, to thrive in environments that were currently too hostile for them to colonise.

 

But all of this would have to wait, he argued. Such momentous changes would have to be implemented gradually, otherwise they would risk the stratification of humanity itself along genetic lines. This genetic aristocracy, as he called it, would come to regard their lessers as their servants and little more. The Astartes straddled that line already, and to alter them further carried these risks, let alone at this speed. The Space Marines were meant to defend Mankind, not to rule them.

 

Despite Pionus' intentions, the Warbringers took umbrage at the insult they perceived in his words. No sooner had the Primarch taken his seat than First Knyaz Perkenas stood to demand an honour duel with a representative of the Scions. Second Captain Odyssalas was swiftly nominated by the Synedrion and for half an hour the arena served a quite different purpose to that it was constructed for. Exploiting the greater reach of his glaive and his opponent's anger, Odyssalas eventually won by drawing first blood, but onlookers noted that he showed little satisfaction despite the prowess and reputation of his opponent. In truth, it was a soured victory for Odyssalas, as he knew events would now be misconstrued as a deliberate move by the Scions to see the Warbringers disgraced.

[Big Bad Squig]

Organisation and Structure within the Legion

         A sprawling legion, the Godslayers are nonetheless united in their adherence to their Primarch’s vision.  The Eighth Legion is organised into Brotherhoods, each number approximately five thousand astartes and under the leadership of seven officers.  Unlike other legions (of which the Eagle Warriors are a notable example), Brotherhoods are not dominated by marines hailing from either Zbruch or Terra, with the Primarch and his council striving for an even mix.  Transfer between Brotherhoods is common, with some legionnaires having served in near half of all the Legion’s Brotherhoods throughout their lifespan.  This transfer between Brotherhoods was conceived with the intent to reduce division within the Legion, leading it to become a more cohesive and efficient fighting force.

                Similar to the septumvirates that govern Brotherhoods, the Godslayers Legion is ruled not solely by the Primarch himself, but by the Primarch’s Council, a grouping of ten captains, and Kharkovic himself.  Each of these ten captains are assigned three Brotherhoods to monitor (although they have no official authority over the Brotherhoods), from which the captains will relay requests and messages to the Primarch.  The members of the Primarch’s Council are not handpicked by Kharkovic as would be the case in many of the other legions, but are instead elected by the members of their Brotherhood.  Positions on the Council do not have a finite term, although new members are elected following a death or a vote of no confidence by the other members, meaning that many serving as advisors to the Primarch are interred within dreadnoughts.

                Zbruchan culture maintains that one’s ancestry must be honoured, and, as such, Dreadnoughts are a respected part of the Godslayers Legion.  More numerous than those of many other legions, Dreadnoughts of the Godslayers are granted the honour of garrisoning Zbruch when no longer in service aboard an Expeditionary Fleet.  Kept in the massive system of catacombs and vaults underneath Hive Primus known as the Caves of the Dead, the Dreadnoughts’ slumber is watched over by the Venerable Warden Lazarus, a Contemptor-class Dreadnought who predates the subjugation of the Sol System and saw service with the 67^th Expedition long before the discovery of Zbruch.  One of the first members of the Primarch’s Council, he was retired from active service after suffering near-catastrophic damage during a join campaign with the Berserkers of Uran in the Hermeka System.

                Given the Godslayers’ skill in attrition and siege warfare, it is only fitting that a significant number of the Legion are contained within Breacher squads.  The elite formations known as Obolochka in Zbruchan form an important part of each Godslayer Brotherhood, and are an evolution of the Breacher Siege Squads found in every legion.  The Obolochka, when not on the front lines of a battle, are commonly used as defensive parties to repel boarders from Godslayer spacecraft, and are often an integral part of void engagements, used as a rapid response force to halt the advance of enemies seeking to seize Godslayers vessels.  Promotion to the Obolochka is rare, requiring an impressive amount of time serving in the Legion before a candidate will even be considered by a Brotherhood’s governing body.

                While the number of Obolochka formations within the legion is disproportionately large, the Godslayers are entirely lacking in units toting phosphex or rad weaponry.  After the first few engagements in which Kharkovic with the 67^th Expedition, these weapons were banned from use by order of the Primarch, due to their use being what Kharkovic described as ‘a dishonourable way to wage war’.  This ruling was one of the first indications to Koschei’s brother Primarchs of the approach he would take to the crusade, and earned him the moniker ‘Light in the Darkness’.

 

Legion Command Hierarchy

While promotion to the position of captain can be on merit of many different qualities, one of the more common attributes among officers of the Godslayers Legion is the manifestation of the Pariah gene.  While it exists in all astartes of the Eighth, those in which it is most noticeable are assigned to Suppressor Squadrons to prove their skill through combat.  Those who are worthy are promoted to the officer corps, with many ending their careers as captains or centurions.

As well as a strong manifestation of the pariah gene, another quality held in high esteem by the Eighth Legion is diplomatic prowess, due to the Primarch’s preferences around conducting his part of the Great Crusade.  A flair for diplomacy can often lead to promotion faster than sheer skill at arms or physical strength, a fact looked upon in derision by the harsher of the Emperor’s legions.  Some of those astartes promoted for such reasons may be almost entirely removed from combat duty if they prove to be especially proficient, but the vast majority are inducted into the Godslayers’ Chaplain corps, the Zmeyazyka.  Due to this, the Eighth Legion’s Chaplains are far more numerous than those of other legions. 

In addition to the roles that the Chaplains of other legions fulfil, the Zmeyazyka of the Eighth Legion serve as the primary diplomatic envoys of the Godslayers.  Almost exclusively Zbruchan and containing within their ranks many individuals known to the Primarch before his reunion with the Emperor, the Zmeyazyka are handpicked by the Primarch’s Council, often being accompanied by Kharkovic to assist in negotiations – this proximity to the Primarch lends the Zmeyazyka an incredible amount of respect among the legion.  The sight of a Zmeyazyka on the field of battle is both inspiring and terrifying to a Godslayer in equal measure; after all, for one of these ordained peacekeepers to turn to warfare, conditions must be dire indeed.

 

War Disposition

Unlike other Traitor Legions who would engage in lengthy, secretive campaigns to eradicate the Loyalist elements within their ranks, the Godslayers would see few potential turncoats threatening to reveal the Stormlord's machinations as preparations were made. While there were Godslayers who had not forgotten their oaths to the Emperor, many of them were swayed by their Primarch's idealistic words and his sincere beliefs. The very few who resisted Koschei would not live long, whether or not they expired on the battlefield or in dark hallways. As such, when the Day of Revelation came, the Godslayers numbered a little over 180,000 marines strong, the few who were executed were barely noticed among the logicians as recruits filled in the vacant slots. 

                The majority of the Godslayers Legion was contained within the 67^th Expeditionary Fleet, headed by Koschei Kharkovic himself, making it one of the largest Imperial Expeditions.  Despite this, on occasion those officers held in the Primarch’s esteem would be granted the privilege of a fleet of their own. These fleets were rare in number, and small, often acting as a supplementary force to a larger number of Imperial Army soldiers or Titans.  As such, few strayed very far from the ground covered by other, larger Expeditionary Fleets for fear of ambush by xenos ships that could likely lead to the destruction of the fleets.  Fewer still are the elusive Lost Brotherhoods, long forgotten Expeditionary Fleets perhaps dating back to before the discovery of Zbruch, or containing Terrans too stubborn or violent to adapt to the changes made by Kharkovic to his Legion. After being out of contact for so long with the Great Crusade, these Lost Brotherhoods had been removed from the rolls and had not been counted among the 180,000.  Nor had they any indication of the changes within the Legion’s attitude towards the Emperor instigated by their Primarch.  As such, several would return during the earlier years of the Insurrection and would prove to be a thorn in the Traitor's side, representing the last formations of loyal Godslayers extant before the fateful invasion of Zbruch.

 

 

I've boosted it a fair amount, but I'm not really sure how much is needed.  Will this do, or should I expand more?

 

Also, is that the last of the things I needed to do, or is there more?

[simison]

This will do fine. I'll polish it and then send it up to Grifft when I get back to my computer.

 

What I've been doing with your material so far is reviewing it, cleaning it, and asking a question or two. Sometimes making a recommendation. So, you don't need to do anything unless I mention something.

[simison]

I have polished and passed along the chapter to Grifft. Now, to hop back and forth between Godslayers and Iron Bears.

[simison]

The Death of Prometear Thyris

It was only in hindsight was the true nature of Koschei's first battle as legion master revealed. Now commanding the 67^th Expeditionary Fleet, Koschei and the Godslayers passed through an unknown system, barely ten parsecs into their journey. Initial scans revealed a typical solar system: a single star at the centre with six planets on circular orbits accompanied by a few satellites. On the second planet, the fleet's scanner detected signs of occupation, human occupation. Ordering the fleet to enter orbit, Koschei would pore over new readings aboard his flagship, the Krylataya Pobeda. Under the sweeping gaze of the Imperial sensors existed large-scale settlements and numerous human bio-signs, along with anomalous readings. Although the anomalous readings were a cause of concern, the Primarch took the advice from his adopted nephew and elected to make his presence known. Ordering for transmissions to be broadcasted announcing his arrival to what he hoped to be a friendly human population, Koschei took with him the legion’s elite First Company, as well as Prometear Thyris and his nephew Alexander Kharkovic, who had recently been inducted into the Godslayers per Koschei’s special request.  These select warriors were deployed by Thunderhawk into the largest planetary settlement as informed by ship scanners. However, no sign of the supposed human occupation could be seen.  Accurate readings were prevented due to the unusual planetary atmosphere, while physical searches were able to confirm that the abodes had been lived in as recently as an hour ago, not one human soul was to be found. 

 

Around two hours into the legion’s search, word arrived via vox that heat signatures had been detected half a mile south of their position. The detachment of space marines began to move in that direction, but almost immediately were warned to hold their ground. The heat signatures had increased drastically in number, and probes had spotted what appeared to be greenskin technology in the outer reaches of the city. Within minutes, the xenos had made themselves visible, and began to surround the Primarch’s position.

                

The first wave of greenskin foot soldiers were cut down with ease by the combi-bolters of the Goliath Terminators. Koschei himself made an effort to engage as many of the Ork chieftains as possible in a show of strength directed toward the Terran members of his legion. His nephew, meanwhile, focused on supporting those units which found themselves struggling, but however many Orks were killed, more always surged forwards to fill the gaps the fallen had left. Soon after the initial ambush, a trio of squiggoths lumbered towards them, their great size and strength bolstering the Ork horde. Against a larger or better-prepared force, these creatures would've posed no significant threat. Alas, Koschei had deployed only with an elite reconnaissance force that couldn't absorb many casualties and was bereft of armoured or artillery units.  The Primarch voxed his flagship and requested immediate reinforcements, while masses of brave Goliaths hacked away at the beasts with their power glaives.

 

Despite losing many Terminators to their deadly charge, the squiggoths were eventually overwhelmed by a hundred cuts. Their deaths proved to be a shock to the Ork's morale, and many greenskins fled the battlefield. This, combined with occasional, cautious bombing runs executed by passing flyers allowed the Godslayers detachment to force their attackers to break formation and establish a defensive line. Freed from the siege, reinforcing Godslayer companies joined Koschei's diminished detachment using a network of primitive roads.  Massed columns of vindicator tanks, rapier weapon batteries and a lone Fellblade crawled forwards, supporting their brothers with vicious suppressive fire. Koschei’s fighters charged forward, turning the tide on the greenskins as they carved through the line, slaughtering the Orks as they took shelter from the bombardment.  Thyris fought his way to the tip of the attacking spear, seeking glory for himself.

 

The xenos were quick to respond, staging a counterattack led by a warboss who had recently arrived on the battlefield.  The legionnaires were ordered to fall back, leading the Orks into the jaws of an ambush led by the vindicator siege tanks.  Yet, Thyris continued his charge, his motivation unknown for the odds he faced were grave indeed.  A few squads of Terran Godslayers attempted a rescue mission, clearing a path for Thyris to return to Koschei's lines. As this happened, the lion's share of the Godslayers had successfully connected with the reinforcements. Before the firing lanes could be completely cleared of friendly units, Alexander Kharkovic gave the order for the tanks under his command to open fire.

                

Thyris’ command was still engaged in close combat with the greenskins when the vindicator shells hit home. Explosions ripped through the Ork horde, spilling much of their hated blood. The price for Alexander's impatience was steep as many Terran Godslayers too felt death embrace them within those powerful rounds of ordnance. Thyris himself had been critically wounded during the bombardment, spared only because of the strength of his armour's shield generators. Abruptly aware of how close to death he danced, he attempted to retreat while furiously activating his vox to stop the shelling. He made a chilling discovery when he realized his suit's vox wasn't operating. None of his efforts to reboot the system succeeded, and another barrage crashed onto his position. In between the flashes of light and the hammers of concussion, Thyris saw the warboss approaching.  Despite all his wounds, Thyris stood and fought, eventually being overwhelmed as more and more Orks piled into the fight.  With the legion master dead, the Orks charged forward.  Into the trap.

               

Within minutes, the attack had been blunted by the sheer firepower of the Godslayers line.  Heavy bolters and graviton cannons slowed the charge, with sporadic counterattacks halting any groups that drew too close. In an hour, the entire Ork horde had routed, fleeing the city to take shelter elsewhere. In the coming weeks, the Ork threat would be almost entirely purged from the planet, and the human population – who were being used as slave-labour by the xenos – were liberated.

                

Only later would it emerge that Thyris’ communication systems had been sabotaged on the order of Alexander Kharkovic, and that, in fact, the entire battle was engineered as an attempt to stop him from posing what Alexander viewed as a threat to his uncle’s command.

 

 

[We really should should make a note of this Machiavellian scheme in regards to future stories involving Alexander. I wonder how Koschei reacted when he learned the truth.]

[simison]

Purging Sixty-Six Twenty-Five
Months after the death of the Godslayers’ Legion Master, the 67^th Expeditionary Fleet made to refuel and rearm in a human system previously brought into compliance by a fleet consisting of elements of the Void Eagles Legion. The Krylataya Pobeda, along with an assortment of escorting ships, docked at a large space station above the world of Verden, while dispatching a small party, including Kharkovic himself, to greet the planetary governor and the world’s people.

 

While the Primarch was away however, the unarmed fleet and the station at which they rested was set upon by a swarm of raiding craft. The craft breached the station, flooding the corridors with piratical, augmented, human warriors, who claimed precious resources and stole away any workers they encountered to serve as slaves. By the time the astartes were able to respond, the raiders had disappeared. The Primarch was immediately called back to his fleet, and demanded immediate retaliation. The Imperial ships were, despite their opponents’ head start, the superior vessels, and slowly caught up with the fleeing pirates. Electing not to open fire, the fleet instead let their quarry lead them to their base of operations – a planet later to be designated Sixty-Six Twenty-Five, and its three moons.

The Krylataya Pobeda advanced towards the planet, broadcasting in Gothic on all channels. These broadcasts were rapidly answered with threats, warning the Eighth Legion to depart the pirates’ (or Velocitarii, in their own dialect) system. Ignoring these warnings, Kharkovic ordered the fleet forward, until it was within the orbit of the world’s third moon.  The Velocitarii were requested to attend a parlay in which, despite their previous attacks on Verden, they could be integrated into the Imperium of Man. The Velocitarii categorically refused, clearly convinced of their own superiority based on their previous engagement.

 

In response, the fleet pressed forward in a push towards the Velocitarii homeworld. Immediately the ships were presented with a tide of smaller raiders, as had been encountered over Verden. This time however, the Godslayers were prepared, spreading out and denying the pirates the chance to surround them, all the while subjecting the enemy to a withering hail of fire. The raiders, tiny as they were, were unable to stand against this level of bombardment, each vessel being only twice the size of a Thunderhawk gunship. The Velocitarii fleet was easily crushed underfoot.

 

Once in orbit of the enemy world, the entire First, Third, Eighth, Fifteenth, Sixteenth, Seventeenth and Nineteenth War-Companies were ferried by Stormbird to the outskirts of a city, though it was barely that; the settlements on the Velocitarii world were many, but small, at least compared to Imperial hives. The city chosen was not selected at random – it seemed to serve as a rudimentary manufacturing centre for raiders. Nor was the landing location, for within minutes of the Godslayers contingent’s arrival a macro-cannon bombardment of the city began in earnest.

 

By the time it had finished, the city lay all but ruined, and yet nothing stirred. The force advanced, flanked by Fellglaives and ranks of Sicarans. Still it encountered no resistance.  Then, all of a sudden, the all-too-familiar raiding craft burst across the sky, deploying, by parachute, Velocitarii fighters landed in amidst the Godslayer line. Though the attack took the legionnaires by surprise, they were able to eliminate the paratroopers, sustaining relatively low losses. They were, after all, astartes. The ships passed over again, dropping a far larger contingent this time, along with a number of primitive bombs.  More Godslayers fell, but the landing Velocitarii were met with the fury of Karl Volkov and his Goliaths, being yet again overrun.

 

As the raiders flew overhead once more, the Legion’s Stormbirds rose slowly from the ground, each more than a match for a Velocitarii craft.  The vicious flyers swatted down the next flock the enemy tossed at the Space Marines, forcing a change of tactics on part of the defenders, one that brought the fight back down to the ground. Spears of Velocitarii outriders mounted upon crude motorcycles raced towards the Godslayers. Too fast to be hit by the Glaives or other, more ponderous war machines, the job of engaging them fell to the astartes. However, true to their nature, the Velocitarii refused to be pinned down in a close quarters, striking only where they could again flee, or where they were sure they could emerge victorious – weak points in the Godslayers line.  Watching from orbit, a plan began to formulate in Koschei Kharkovic’s mind.

 

Slowly, this strategy of attacking, then leaping back, then attacking again began to take its toll on the Godslayers. Though they fought bravely, they were being cut down in ever increasing numbers, just as ever increasing numbers of Velocitarii joined the fight. The Legion, however, still dominated the skies, and it was this upon which Koschei intended to seize.
               

As the Velocitarii made a final push against a defeated enemy, encircling the Godslayer force, the sky lit up.  Hundreds upon hundreds of drop pods rained down from the Krylataya Pobeda, landing in a jagged ring around the Velocitarii, pinning them in position with automated bolter fire. The Primarch himself led the Godslayer counter-attack, tearing through terrified outriders with bellowed rage. In less than half an hour, the Velocitarii force had been slaughtered to a man. After the fall of the first city, the Velocitarii were quick to surrender.  Over a period of months, the world made the painful transition into Imperial compliance, the memory of the now-departed Eighth Legion still fresh and painful in the minds of Sixty-Six Twenty-Five’s citizens.

[simison]

The Final Exodus

The Exodite System formally designated Siratius III was first encountered by the Godslayers Legion at the height of the Great Crusade. As the 67^th Fleet moved to bypass what at first seemed an uninhabited system, navigators aboard began to sense a surge in psychic activity. This activity was traced to Siratius III, a relatively small star system consisting of only three populated planets. Preliminary scans indicated hostile conditions on all three of the planets, but the Fleet’s commanding officers resolved to investigate nonetheless.

               

The 67^th Expeditionary Fleet moved into orbit of the outlying world. Preparations were made to launch landing craft to the surface to search for clues on what or who could be causing this tremendous amount of psychic activity. Before these could be implemented, however, the Krylataya Pobeda itself received a transmission. This transmission detailed the inhabitants of the system as Eldar Exodites, and warned the Imperial ships against mounting an attack on the xenos. The Exodites were told, in return, that the Godslayers Legion had no wish for violence between the two races. Negotiations were organised, to take place on the surface of the world below.

 

Kharkovic himself led the diplomatic detachment to meet the Eldar, as had become customary. The Primarch did not wish to provoke the xenos, who, although relatively primitive in relation to their cousins, boasted considerable numbers and psychic power, and so brought with him only a small number of Legionnaires. He was greeted by a group of seers who called themselves simply The Parliament, and the bodyguard of Eldar that accompanied them.

               

Though initial discussions were peaceful, the mood soured as Kharkovic was introduced to the eldest member of The Parliament, an ancient creature by the name of Mhuratagh. This Eldar, unlike the others, seemed unwilling and even afraid to be near the Primarch. He claimed that his humours had been unbalanced, and demanded that the meeting be adjourned for a moment while he recovered. The Godslayers were unsurprised; they were by now used to the effect their presence could have on those with psychic ability. Before the meeting could even begin again, the Eldar struck. As they rested on the edges of the settlement in which the gathering had taken place, the unsuspecting Godslayers were struck by blasts of psychic energy. As the astartes scurried to prepare for battle, they found themselves flanked by hundreds upon thousands of the Exodite warriors, cutting through the hastily formed outer line with ease.

               

Immediate extraction was requested by Godslayer officers, while the diplomatic detachment was forced to flee from the Eldar settlement with their Primarch in tow. Koschei himself was the target of the majority of fire. Before aircraft could reach the Legion’s often changing position, the detachment found themselves subjected to multiple rapid strikes, carving through the centre of the group, slowly managing to isolate certain groups from the mass of astartes. Kharkovic and a small delegation of marines were cut off from the rest and surrounded. At the head of this assault came The Parliament themselves, calling out for Kharkovic, whom they called ‘Kinslayer’, to come forward.

               

Before the xenos could muster for a final push to destroy their foe, however, a fleet of Stormbirds announced their arrival by bombarding the Eldar mass with missiles and incendiaries. Taken aback by the sudden aerial attack, the Exodites were pushed back, allowing for the bedraggled group of Legionnaires to regroup and make a rush for the transporters.

               

As the Legionnaires fled through the upper atmosphere to reach the Expeditionary Fleet, the full might of the Exodites was revealed. Only minutes after the Stormbirds’ departure, signatures of hundreds of ships were detected racing after the craft, and gaining ground. It became clear that the Exodus had taken no toll on the Eldar’s technologies, and, although the Primarch was able to reach his ship before the xenos could intercept him, immediately a vicious void battle erupted as the Eldar fighters opened fire on the orbiting ships. Some of the smallest ships, caught by surprise, were destroyed, dooming all those on board to die. Retaliatory fire removed some of the Eldar ships, but the majority of the craft were fast enough to avoid the ponderous Imperial cruisers. The battle was taking too heavy a toll on the Godslayers. Diplomacy, it was decided, was not longer an option.

               

As battle raged around it, the mighty Krylataya Pobeda descended into the planet’s atmosphere, shelling the ground beneath it where The Parliament had mustered to attack with macro-cannons.  Almost immediately, the surviving Eldar fighters broke away from the battle above the world, screaming down towards Kharkovic’s flagship, harassing it in an attempt to disrupt its fire. The Krylataya Pobeda would not break. Even as the xenos encircled the ship, others descended from above, turning their weaponry on the Eldar fighters while they were distracted. The xenos were rapidly overwhelmed.

               

All of a sudden, the bombardment was halted. It seemed as if a psychic shield was being projected out to smother the fire of the assaulting ships, and so high up were the Godslayers that not even the Primarch himself had any chance to suppress it. And so the Legion resolved to come to the ground once again.

 

Landing in almost full force, the Godslayers of the 67^th Expeditionary Fleet made straight for the now ruined city in which negotiations had been held. They were accompanied by regiments of the Imperial Army, sent to reinforce the Space Marines. Storming the outer sections of the Eldar settlement, the Imperial forces soon found themselves meeting heavy resistance. The attackers’ assault was slowed by psychic energy, while any stragglers were picked off by roaming bands of xenos guerrilla fighters. Though the Godslayers were resistant to the psychic attacks of the Eldar, they were not immune, and the Exodites had massed in such force that resisting their combined efforts. The legionnaires were being held back by the xenos, while the humans of the Imperial Army were being massacred. It was then that Koschei struck.

               

Accompanied by hundreds of Suppressors, marines in whom the Pariah gene had manifested most strongly, the Primarch breached the city’s psychic defences with ease. Robbed of their powers, the Eldar were forced into a brutal short-ranged siege. The xenos stood very little chance. Within the period of only a week, the Exodites had been pushed back to the city’s centre, and although reinforcements had arrived at the planet from elsewhere in the system, the Eldar craft were entirely outmatched by the orbiting Expeditionary Fleet. In the halls of a great citadel, the final blows were to be struck. Kharkovic and his chosen burst inside, slaying any who opposed their advance. Once reached, The Parliament were quick to surrender.

               

Final negotiations were set in place, in which it was decided that the Exodites would be allowed to migrate, fleeing from the advance of the Great Crusade to the far reaches of the Ghoul Stars. Only moments before the close of these negotiations was the Eldar’s final card played. An incendiary device beneath the floor was detonated, killing all nearby and collapsing the building’s ceiling onto the room’s occupants.  Kharkovic himself was one of the only survivors, dragging himself to freedom through the rubble with a support beam through his stomach. The Primarch recovered eventually from this assassination attempt, and the 67^th Fleet went on to depart the system. Despite all this, the Exodites were spared, although it was darkly whispered in some corners of the Krylataya Pobeda that the finalisation of the details of compliance was left to the Berserkers of Uran.

[Big Bad Squig]

One thing I've just picked up on before this goes to PDF is that the title of the second exemplary battle should be Sixty Seven Twenty Five instead of 6625 after we worked out that Mikhal and I had the same fleet.

[simison]

OH! That's what the numbers stood for. Got it, I'll tell Grifft right away.

[simison]

Time for the crunch. 

 

The Space Marines of the Emperor’s Legions are genetically engineered, psycho-indoctrinated warriors with superhuman abilities and minds and souls tempered for war. In addition each individual legion has its own idiosyncrasies and character - the product of their gene-seed and unique warrior culture.

 

The Godslayers Legion possess one notable quirk; that of being, as defined by their Primarch Koschei Kharkovic, Psychic Suppressants. This, in reality, translates to even the least-experienced Godslayer initiate having significant warding against psychic attack. Higher up the echelons of command in the Eighth Legion, this trait is far more common, lending many of Godslayer officers an immunity to all but the strongest powers of the Warp. As well as this, the Godslayers are renowned for their stubborn and perhaps hopeful resilience, fighting on even after all seems lost. As such, the Legion was often utilised during the earlier years of the Great Crusade in attrition engagements, when the strength of will of the Eighth Legion could be counted on to win the day. 

 

Legiones Astartes:  Godslayers

 

Psychic Suppressants:  Adamantine Will

To The Last:  If the army’s Warlord is slain, all models with this rule gain Feel No Pain (6+) and Stubborn.  Additionally, Godslayers may never voluntarily Go to Ground.

Lanterns of Humanity:  Destroyer Squads, Vigilator Consuls, Recon Marines or any models equipped with phosphex bombs or shells may not be included in a Godslayers army.

 

 

So, one minor benefit, two conditional big benefits & a minor hindrance, and one major hindrance. Hesh said that the Legion tactics aren't actually used to restrict units, so I'm going to go investigate that for now.

[simison]

Alright, I've confirmed it. No Legion is barred from using any unit. There are Force Org manipulations like the Raven Guard's Flesh Over Steal, but no outright bans.

 

Squig, the Lanterns rule needs to change.

[simison]

Adaptation

The great dangers of underwater combat, in which a single blow could spell death, had left Pionus with a relentless urge to avoid any unnecessary injuries or losses. Consequently, he was troubled by what he saw as the wasteful practices of the Stygian Phantoms, but also wary of forcing change on them. Seeking political advice from Alexandros, he built up support among the officers of the Legion, identifying aspects of their culture and methods which could provide a foundation for his vision. Fortunately in Antonidas he found an indispensable ally, and quickly gained an understanding of the men he was to command.

Pionus took the Phantoms’ emphasis on personal excellence and turned it to his own purposes, aiming to create a Legion that would serve mankind more effectively. Instead of prioritising elaborate, dramatic kills, the XIXth began to prize clean victories. At the same time, Pionus encouraged a more compassionate attitude toward the common man, reserving particular praise for the Legion's apothecaries. Traditionally viewed with some disdain by their comrades, Pionus cast their expertise in a new light; always seeking ways to understand and bring down an enemy as well as to support their brothers, they were potentially the most lethal men in the Legion.

These changing attitudes were borne out both by a surge of astartes seeking to learn the apothecary's methods and more cohesive unit tactics during the XIX^th’s battles. Some within the Legion resisted the changes, and continued to perform remarkable feats of arms, but were increasingly overshadowed by the “new” XIX^th Legion. As both Ionan and Terran recruits embraced their Primarch's ways, the old guard shrank in numbers but eventually found a niche within a new order, forming the nucleus for the close-combat “Phantom Squads”.

Pionus applied his analytical skills to finding ways in which his sons could support and learn from their fellow Legions. Sometimes these efforts met with hostility from his brothers, but others responded with gratitude and respect, especially for the astartes lives that the men of the XIX^th worked diligently to save. This gave rise to a new name for the Legion: the Scions Hospitalier.