DYI Chapter: Feedback Wanted

[Camillo]

Hello All,

 

OK, bear with me - I would like some feedback and any ideas anyone might want to share regarding my new DYI chapter.

 

Here's the thing - I wanted to try and build it originally around using the miniatures I already had, and around the random generator provided in the Deathwatch RPG.  I'd hoped that it would provide some inspiration. 

 

Here's what I ended up with:

 

• Chapter was founded as part of a crusade.
• Founded in the 34th Millennium - I used the timeline provided in this forum, and came up with the 8th founding.
• To preserve some mystery (and in keeping with another theme I came up with), I left the gene-seed progenitor unknown. I rolled Blood Angels originally, and used the result for the rolls that required it.
• The Chapter Demeanor was "Cleanse and Purify."
• I rolled a flaw on the gene-seed table (assuming that my chapter was the Blood Angels), and got the result " Hyper-stimulated Omophagea" - they eat their enemies. Okayyyyy....
• My chapter's flaw was "Faith in Suspicion," which gave me my single biggest piece of inspiration for the chapter.
• The chapter rolled as Fleet-Based, which suits me fine since I still play Space Hulk and Tyranid attack.  To be honest, if I hadn't rolled this one, I might have chosen it anyway.
• The Chapter has a Unique Organization. No ideas yet....
• Chapter favors "Drop Pod Assault" tactics.
• Chapter cannot field Devastator marines.
• Chapter has a traditional weapon, which I chose as bolt guns, seeing how everything in Space Hulk and Tyranid attack is bolt pistols, storm bolters, and heavy bolters.
• My chapter's beliefs were listed as "the Emperor Above All," which turned out to be the final piece of the puzzle for my starting idea.
• My chapter is friendly with the Adepta Sorroritas, which was kind of a letdown (I had hoped for the Mechanicus). I have no idea what to do with this....
• I didn't roll for chapter enemies, because by that time, I had what I hoped was a good Idea.

 

OK, so here's what I came up with - my chapter believes that the Emperor is in fact a god, not just a powerful human, and that the reason that he entered the Golden Throne was that the Horus Heresy proved to him that Mankind wasn't worthy of his guidance.  Furthermore, they believe that the Imperium's current structure (laid down in no small part by Robute Guilliman) further corrupted the Emperor's vision and ended the Great Crusade.

 

Finally, they believe that the Emperor will not awaken from the Throne until His Imperium has been fully restored.  If Mankind dies before that time, it will be as a result of their own spiritual and military weakness.

 

I kind of envision this chapter as a crusading force, fleet-based and insanely interested in the history of the Imperium, specifically about how the original Imperium was structured.  The part I like is that with a 10,000 year removal from events, the data they would have would have been mostly cobbled together from formerly destroyed or rewritten sources.  They see the original Imperium as a theocracy under the Emperor as a God-King, and seek to "restore" that status. 

 

Like good fanatics, I see them as monomaniacal on the issue of restoration - restore the Legions, recapture every single planet lost after the Great Crusade, kill every alien encountered, kill any who seek to corrupt the pure vision of the original Imperium, and spread the Holy Word to every human colony or civilization encountered (provided they have no mutations or outrageous social anomalies). When I doubt, burn it - the Emperor will know his own. No exceptions ever - all must be restored by any means in order to prove Mankind's worthiness.

 

Because I play the boardgames more than the wargame at the moment (just moved, no group yet, just my wife), I decided the chapter hated the Tyranids most.  That way I can use any impressive events in the games as history for my chapter.

 

What do you think?  Worth pursuing?  I'm still trying to figure out what to do with the chapter's Unique organization (other than the no Devastators), and their connection to the Sorroritas.  And the Hyper-Stimulated Omophagea - I have nothing for that one.

 

Any ideas you have that you want to share (even if they change one of the rolled results) are welcome - I've lurked here for years and have come to respect this community for its creativity and attention to detail. I want to get this right, and would appreciate any feedback.

 

Thanks again.

[Olis]

OK, so here's what I came up with - my chapter believes that the Emperor is in fact a god, not just a powerful human, and that the reason that he entered the Golden Throne was that the Horus Heresy proved to him that Mankind wasn't worthy of his guidance.  Furthermore, they believe that the Imperium's current structure (laid down in no small part by Robute Guilliman) further corrupted the Emperor's vision and ended the Great Crusade.

 

I think that if they see the Imperium as a corruption of the Emperor's vision (something that apparently the Chapter has assumed to be something other than what it actually was), and Guilliman was a major player in how things have diverged, then I think we may have grounds for them to reject/distrust the Codex Astartes (theoretically). Of course there'd be more to it than this but this Chapter feels to me like they seem strong candidates for being declared Excommunicatus Perdita - those that are abandoned by the Imperium.

 

Finally, they believe that the Emperor will not awaken from the Throne until His Imperium has been fully restored.  If Mankind dies before that time, it will be as a result of their own spiritual and military weakness.

 

So, they're some sort of variation of an end-of-times cult? It'd make for an interesting chapter culture, I think, if it's explored further. It also sounds like they may have something in common with Isstvanian inquisitors (those who believe the Imperium can only thrive through conflict, and deliberately engineer wars to 'cull the weak').

 

I kind of envision this chapter as a crusading force, fleet-based and insanely interested in the history of the Imperium, specifically about how the original Imperium was structured.  The part I like is that with a 10,000 year removal from events, the data they would have would have been mostly cobbled together from formerly destroyed or rewritten sources.  They see the original Imperium as a theocracy under the Emperor as a God-King, and seek to "restore" that status.

This is an interesting point. They seek historical truth, and yet are led down another path believing the Imperium was originally theocratic. This would tie nicely in with their own beliefs and would beg the question: Are they truly seeking truth or merely answers that they prefer? With the bureaucratic nightmare of Imperial galactic record keeping, the Chapter would likely have to decide what accounts are truth and which are not, leading them to have a comprehensive 'histroy' on the early Imperium that's chock full of innaccuracies, half-truths and outright fabrications, contradicting what we know out-of-universe. 

 

Like good fanatics, I see them as monomaniacal on the issue of restoration - restore the Legions, recapture every single planet lost after the Great Crusade, kill every alien encountered, kill any who seek to corrupt the pure vision of the original Imperium, and spread the Holy Word to every human colony or civilization encountered (provided they have no mutations or outrageous social anomalies). When I doubt, burn it - the Emperor will know his own. No exceptions ever - all must be restored by any means in order to prove Mankind's worthiness.

This is the meat of what I consider "evidence against the Chapter". What I mean is - others will see them as a danger to themselves and the rest of the Imperium, leading to them being declared Perdita. This, in and of itself, is not a huge problem unless you're dead set on them being definitively loyalist, as the Imperium is merely turning it's back on them, rather than declaring them traitors outright and hunting them down like dogs. Personally, the more I think about it, the more I like the idea.

 

I think, with the contempt for Guilliman and the desire to reinstitute the Legions, it's quite easy to imagine a scenario where the motives and beliefs of the Chapter eventually comes to light to someone who can do something about it and has them excommunicated. With perhaps a strong connection to the Ecclesiarchy, a potential attempt at a purge could be deflected and thus the Chapter become exiles rather than traitors. They'd probably end up being declared apostates (or heretics from the more frothy end of the the pews) and thus eventually have no friends left at all.

 

Maybe they were caught practising what they were preaching - enacting a drive to greatly expand their numbers. This would have clear parallels with the Astral Claws, only with a differing cause and intention. Or maybe their beliefs came to light and prompted an investigation, leading to unsympathetic parties outing them and pushing for them to be sent on a penitent crusade (one that they refuse for some reason and are declared Perdita).. 

 

Because I play the boardgames more than the wargame at the moment (just moved, no group yet, just my wife), I decided the chapter hated the Tyranids most.  That way I can use any impressive events in the games as history for my chapter.

 

Not a bad idea. Although the Chapter has overtones that suggest they'd prefer to hate traitors and the like, perhaps a simple matter of galactic geography has dictated otherwise. In my head, the northern end of the Eastern Rim sounds like a good place to plonk them (near Tyranids but away from Ultramar) but it's up to you.

 

What do you think?  Worth pursuing?  I'm still trying to figure out what to do with the chapter's Unique organization (other than the no Devastators), and their connection to the Sorroritas.  And the Hyper-Stimulated Omophagea - I have nothing for that one.

 

I think this Chapter has a lot of potential. I recommend dumping eating their enemies and not having devastators - these ideas can easily be jettisoned as they have almost no bearing on the character of the Chapter as it currently stands (that and eating Tyranids does not jive with the whole puritan schtick). The connection to the Sororitas can be changed to the Ecclesiarchy instead, I think, with little problem. In fact, it would tie in well with my suggestions above. 

 

Technically, you won't need to give them any unique organisation but if we go down the route of them shunning the Codex, then I suppose, in a roundabout way, you could attempt a pseudo-Legion organisation, either by following the Astral Claws example or by emulating units and army list choices from the 30k books.

 

Regardless, those are some suggestions and insights for you. I hope this helps.

 

Oh, and it's "DIY", btw. ;)

[Camillo]

I like the idea of the chapter being declared Excommunicatus Perdita - it may explain why they favor Drop Pods to more traditional tactics.  Tanks and other vehicles are material-intensive to maintain.  Drop pods are coffins with thrusters and navigational aides attached. Easier to build and maintain. 

 

I see the chapter managing to gain supplies through sympathetic members of the Imperium - people in high enough places that either feel that the punishment was unjust, or may believe that the chapter is onto something.  If the Inquisition has radical deviations in faith and dogma, fellow travelers may be found elsewhere.

 

To that end, I like your idea about the chapter being on the Outer Rim - the further you get from the heart of the empire, the weaker it authority seems to get.  People may be willing to offer supplies to a chapter that is local and helping protect them against local threats over the commands of a distant bureaucracy. 

 

The key to making that work would be to keep requests for materials modest. The chapter doesn't want to risk losing what support it has by asking for too much or for things that are too extravagant. Drop Pod material or material for Boltguns (tying in to their favored weapon) would be all they could reasonably expect on a regular basis.  Other forms of supply would have to be asked for rarely and from different sources as often as possible to avoid overtaxing their allies. 

 

I like and am using the idea that the chapter was caught trying to expand its force - it's perfectly in keeping with their personality.  I also like the idea that friendly members of the Ecclesiarchy managed to keep them from being declared traitors - it could even be the same people tacitly allowing them to be resupplied...

 

The more I think about this, the more I like it.  Thanks for your advice!

[Olis]

Here's a thought, in regards to keeping the Chapter supplied - maybe their sympathisers, provided they have the clout or means, could contract chartist captains, cold traders or even rogue traders to make dead drops. Nothing too extensive, enough bolt shells and supplies for a handful of missions seems adequate. However, if the Chapter came to rely on these dead drops, it stands to reason that they might become frugal with firepower, emphasising conservation of ammunition and being economic with what is at hand. 

 

Unfortunately, this sort of surreptitious arrangement draws investigation eventually. Sooner or later someone is going to find out such an arrangement and cut the Chapter off by eliminating sympathisers and their associates. That sort of event could be interesting to explore the consequences. What exactly is the Chapter going to do now a semi-regular source of resupply is stopped? Can they meet demand with their own forges? Would they resort to scavenging? Or even seeking patrons from alternate sources (not necessarily the ruinous powers)? 

[Camillo]

I can actually see the possibility for whole campaigns centered around the chapter either trying to preserve their existing suppliers or establishing contacts with new ones.  These would be the "big fish," though - the people who are helping most directly and who have the most to lose. Mostly, I can see resupply being seen as tribute paid to the chapter for assistance - a fleet constantly on the move will have contacts all over the wilder parts of space, and will have helped planets that would otherwise have had no response from Imperial authorities.  That's the saddest part about the Rim, from what I've read - it's the frontier in every sense of the word.  Communication is sporadic, transportation hazardous, and settlement dangerous.  Any kind of help would be looked upon favorably, because the order and law of the Imperium is so rare there.

 

That makes resupply easier, because fewer people are looking for anything or anyone out there.  Look at it like in the US - when people talk about the United States, they think of New York, Los Angeles, Washington DC, Chicago, Detroit... maybe even New Orleans.  But what about Boise, Idaho? Or Helena, Montana? Most Americans forget that Idaho even exists (they assume I'm talking about Iowa, you have to show them on a map in some cases).

 

The Outer Rim is so far from the cultural, political, and economic center of the Imperium that it's practically invisible. It's important to the people who are there, but not to anyone else.  It would be seen as a place to go when there are problems (like Ork invasions or Tyranid attacks), but not an area for long-term study.  The Administratum members assigned there would be like Terl in Battlefield Earth - it's a punishment assignment, given to screw-ups, or to family members of important people, or the people too corrupt to trust with real power, but too connected to eliminate.

 

That's how I've read it, anyway - criminals, renegades, and drifters could hide for centuries there.  A chapter on the move would only visit contacts rarely, and would be able to extract some supplies from local planets in exchange for the promise of protection from threats.  It's not really extortion (you could rationalize), because tribute paid to space marine chapters happens all the time on their homeworlds - this is just the same principle applied to any planet under the chapter's protection.  This could also be how they manage to recruit new aspirants. Again, as long as the demands were kept modest, higher authorities wouldn't even notice.

 

I can even see the chapter taking ships and material as "salvage rights" after a major victory. As long as paperwork could be supplied, it could pass a cursory audit, and how often are Imperial finances audited anyway?  This is one of those times when the corrupt and labyrinthine adminstratum could be an advantage to the chapter, even as they decry it's practices.

 

Per your suggestion, I think I will eliminate the eating enemies thing - I can't see how that could fit in anywhere.  I'm also liking the idea of using a Heresy-era organizational structure for the chapter.  It just makes sense given their mentality. Maybe even to the point of using a HH list to represent them on the field. It's doable (the lists are compatible according to the FAQ). Hmmmm.....  

[Brother Augustine]

I like it. And the whole poorly supplied, crusading chapter lacking heavy materiel supports the "no devs" thing if you liked that idea.

[Doctor Perils]

I think this seems like a nicely rolled up chapter. One extra thing is that if they are really Blood Angels descendents yet are unaware of it, they would have the Flaw => it would therefore be interesting to explore how they take care of the Marines that succumb to the Rage and the Thirst. The Omophagea could also work with this, as they might need to periodically eat human flesh to function correctly.

 

I'm always concerned when I see a chapter that tries to work without Devastators and tanks, as you'll often need one or the other to take on the larger foes.

[Erasus]

I have an idea for the omophagea and the tyranids.

However it would be their most recent exploits and to be fair may not sit right with you after all that development with Olis you did, so feel free to ignore this completely after reading it.

 

Ok! So, these zealous space marines are crusading across the outer rim when Kraken begins to encroach from the east. After a few skirmishes against the dreaded tyranids, the Chapter comes to believe that the xenos may be the greatest threat to the Imperium of Mankind ever known, dwarfing even the insidious plots of the Archenemy. The Chapter then dedicates itself to fighting Kraken wherever it appears, purging vanguard space hulks, battling their hive fleets and facing the onslaught their swarms bring on the surface of doomed planets. After linking together what happens to the people lost on these worlds, the Chapter expands on a strange ritual. They bleed the dying and dead populace, for the Chapter blood has some unreasonable hold on their psyche and to them the blood of a person contains their essence, their soul. This is proven when they drink the blood, unknown to them their omophageas are overactive and give them a far deeper perception of the memories and emotions that the organ usually gives, (similar to the Soul Drinkers). The Chapter believes they are actually taking in the souls of those they drink, a practice that until now was reserved for their own; a way to preserve the spiritual remains of a fallen brotther or hero. Now they drink from the countless thousands brought down in the face of the tyranids, a method they beleieve is actually preserving the souls of the Emperor's servants rather than leave them for the Great Devourer.

[Brother Augustine]

That's actually kind of cool

[Doctor Perils]

It might need some work, but it would nicely link beliefs and geneseed sections.

 

However, the dreaded ][ would fall on them rapidly if they ever found out.

[Wargasm40k]

I like the idea of the No Devistators.  If you really want to go the way of having the Chapter rely on finite resources it would help explain why they would have no heavy weapon support as such weapons would be harder to obtain than tactical and assault weaponry.  And if you're going into battle with limited ammunition why pack around weapons that are going to chew through that ammo in seconds? 

 

As a Blood Angels succesor with no devistators and limited supplies that favor drop pod assaults I could see this chapter of yours being very assault oriented.  A higher than average number of assault marines would make sense in a chapter like this. 

[Doctor Perils]

I like the idea of the No Devistators.  If you really want to go the way of having the Chapter rely on finite resources it would help explain why they would have no heavy weapon support as such weapons would be harder to obtain than tactical and assault weaponry.  And if you're going into battle with limited ammunition why pack around weapons that are going to chew through that ammo in seconds? 

 

As a Blood Angels succesor with no devistators and limited supplies that favor drop pod assaults I could see this chapter of yours being very assault oriented.  A higher than average number of assault marines would make sense in a chapter like this. 

 

Actually, it makes more sense to me to have devastators rather than tanks, especially if they use drop tactics. However, if you have a limit on the devastators (lets say they can only field heavy bolters) then that could also work.

[Brother Augustine]

Heavy bolters are the easiest astartes heavy weapons to supply, maintain, fire on the move, and the quickest to bring to bear on a target, making them ideal for swirling combat.