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  • 3 months later...

The Halcyon Wardens


Numeration: The Vth Legion


 


Primogenitor: Alexandros Darshan VonSalim 


 


Cognomen (Prior): Storm Riders


 


Observed Strategic Tendencies: Liberation and Defensive Operations, Attritional Warfare, Enforced Pacification, Psyker Operations, Co-ordinated Mass-theatre Warfare, Armoured Support Operations


 


Noteworthy Domains: The Delos System, Terra (Tertiary), the Balov System, and twenty-six systems under Protectorate status


 


Allegiance: Fidelitas Totalis


 


"To be granted a Governorship is always a high honor, but what that entails differs depending on whom came before. To become a governor of a planet brought into Compliance by the Grave Stalkers means inheriting an obedient but terrified and disgruntled population who would love nothing more than to lash out against you but are kept in check by their own terror. To govern a planet conquered by the Eagle Warriors carries its own risk as the population will forever belong to the Imperium, but at the price of whispered superstitions and a strange adaption of the Imperial Creed. Finally, to be a governor of a planet liberated by the Halcyon Wardens requires you to forget their previous disobedience and treat them with the utmost respect as citizens of the Imperium. Do this and you will be rewarded with a peaceful and prosperous reign for the Wardens have already done the hard work."


 


Archai Luka Jovinius


Planetary Governor of Izanki


 


From hotheaded warriors to caring defenders to becoming exemplars, no Legion has undergone as many transformations as have the Halcyon Wardens. Once, the Vth Legion was synonymous with aggressive assaults of unyielding adamantium. On wings of fire and in steeds of steel, the once Storm Riders sought to crush their enemies beneath their fury. That time would pass as the Primarch Alexandros would remake the Legion in his image. Instead of rage, the remade Halcyon Wardens were guided by compassion. Where once the shotgun perfectly encapsulated the Legion's style of war, now stood the shield as the Halcyon Wardens dedicated themselves to protecting humanity. 


 


Upon Alexandros' ascent to Warmaster, the Halcyon Wardens evolved with their Primarch. Where once they carried out their duties with little fanfare but quiet dedication, the Halcyon Wardens strove to be worthy of their gene-sire's promotion. The Halcyon Wardens would become a Legion that could equal all others and reflected further glory upon the Warmaster. A price would be paid for this sudden ascension, and the Insurrection would test every aspect of the Vth Legion.


 


Origins: The Armored Spear


 


Few remember, but the original, Terran-based Vth Legion was a much different beast than what it would become under the ideals of their Primarch. In those early days, the Storm Riders, as they were then known, consistently displayed a much more aggressive temper as they fought in the Unification Wars. The Legion as a whole adopted and gradually mastered a variety of assault tactics as they preferred to meet their enemy face-to-face before destroying them, whether it be by bloodied blade or by grinding tank. Early theorists believed that this was perhaps a side effect of their unique gene-seed, but these theories would eventually be disproven by later evidence.


 


Instead, the Storm Rider's belligerent temperament toward war seemed to be rooted in the psychological rather than any biological predispositions. Although the Vth Legion achieved combat readiness and deployment earlier than many of its brother Legions, any glory or victory gained was always in the shadow of the Ist Legion. Additionally, the First enjoyed the privilege of testing out experimental prototypes of war. Thus, an early rivalry formed, an unusual exception to the unity shown by most Terran Astartes, though several remembrancers would point to this event as early evidence for the flaw carried within their gene-seed.  


 


To establish their own supremacy, the Fifth Legion began to shift an emphasis on close-combat tactics. Legionaries became more proficient with hand-to-hand weapons, and assault squads began to displace tactical squads as the typical Legion unit. Soon, they forged a proficiency and a reputation for being melee specialists but at a price. Even when protected by power armor, casualties among the Vth Legion were rising to then-current highs. Yet, none could argue against the effectiveness and potentially morale-breaking attacks their tactics were causing. A solution came in the form of new assault vehicles. For the first time, a Legion other than the First tested out what would become known as the Land Raider. 


 


With the advent of high-tier assault vehicles, three major changes occurred. First, casualty rates, while never high enough to threaten the Legion's existence, drastically fell. Second, the emphasis on assault squads waned, but remained higher than most Legions. Instead, tactical squads armed with close combat weapons would enjoy a renewed prominence, until the introduction of terminator armor. Alongside the Morning Stars, the Vth Legion were vocal proponents of the new assault units. Third, an elite corps of vehicle commanders grew within the Legion, garnering experience and honor. The Vth Legion would be one of the few Legions were a tank commander could ascend to the upper echelons of command and still continue their service from within their original assigned vehicle.


 


The new changes occurred shortly after the Albyon campaign, which would become a future recruiting site for the Vth Legion. Originally, while recruits came from all corners of Terra during its earliest days, the lion's share of bodies would come from Jermani. This small techno-barbarian state would be one of the few Terran political entities to wholly embrace the Emperor's new Imperium. At the time, Jermani was divided into a caste system with the ruling caste composed of warrior-priests, who alternated between warring with their neighbors and each other. However, no matter how much they appeared to be divided, they were united in their religion. Chief among their tenets was the prophecy of the OberMann. Coming from an ancient prophet in M2, it was predicted that one day the OberMann, or the Supreme Human, would one day come and unite the various tribes and led them into a glorious 10,000 year reign. 


 


To them, the Emperor was the individual they had long awaited. With the exception of only one Bischof who was summarily executed, Jermani rallied behind the Emperor. The Emperor accepted them into Jermani and would gradually erase the religious overtones. Their soldiers, the infamous Blitzers or Lightning Warriors, had developed a reputation for both fearlessness and close-quarter tactics, their preferred weapon being the ancient yet reliable scatter gun. Many of the Lightning Warriors would become Legiones Astartes, while the remaining soldiers joined the Imperial Army.


 


The new Legion would first test themselves against the isle nations of Albyon, which had avoided the Imperium's early list of conquests due to its small strategic value. After the Albyon campaign and the integration of the assault tanks, the Vth Legion would practice their new Legion organization in the Liberation of Nordafrik Conclaves. The campaign had been well underway for several years as part of a multi-front war against the state of Ursh, and was currently at a stalemate. The stalemate broke as the mechanized Vth Legion smashed through several Ursh defense lines, allowing the Imperial Army to advance and eventually push the Ursh forces completely out of Afrik.


 


Thus, the Vth Legion became renowned as masters of armoured assaults and close quarter tactics as the Unification Wars came to an end and the Great Crusade began. No other Legion could field an equal body of talented cavalry officers, and so the Legion found itself deployed against enemy armies that featured large or skilled mechanized units. Many battles left landscapes filled with burning wrecks as no armoured unit could hope to withstand against the veteran Storm Riders. The Legion also deployed in many urban warfare scenarios where the Legion shined as they cleared streets and buildings of enemy forces. For a time, the Storm Riders enjoyed nothing but a growing series of accomplishments and honors. 


Edited by simison
There's rumours of Primaris marines getting the shield-and-power-field thing we've given the Myrmidons. The amount of nice things they are receiving is getting silly enough already. At least Chaos will compensate with crazy daemon tech that we can steal.
  • 3 weeks later...

gallery_4536_13867_335743.png

Vth Legion Tactical Support Marine

Legionary Varelos

5th Tactical Support Squad, 191st Company, 6th Cohort

Kynsha Military District, Battle of Delos

Recruited from Delos, Varelos did not return to his homeworld from the Sol System, for the 19th Brigade had been in the Galactic south when the Insurrection broke out. He fought in several battles during the retreat to his homeworld, most notably on Teurlak against the Steel Legion. On Delos his Cohort was deployed in defence of the Kynsha orbital batteries, the target of several attacks by the Eagle Warriors and their mortal soldiers. Varelos won plaudits from his Legate during these frantic battles, ascending to the rank of sergeant and soon after, captain.

Volkite Caliver

By this stage in the conflict, such weapons had become prized for their effectiveness against Space Marine warplate.

Edited by bluntblade
  • 2 months later...

Gentlemen, I'm racked with uncertainty. I'm not sure if I should change the name of the Myrmidon to something else since that's also a Mechanicum unit. Spartoi, the Sacred Band, Tagma, and Hypaspists have been suggested as alternatives, but I've found them lacking. 

 

What do people think?

Hetairoi could work. I believe these Macedonian terms could too:

Argyraspidae: silver shields, the elite of the diadochi

 

Hypasitai: the elite infantry of Alexander the Great, shield bearers

 

Pezhetairoi: Alexander the Great's phalangites

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Greek_mythological_figures

 

Took a look here and came up with

 

Alke - spirit of prowess and courage

 

Arete - virtue excellence goodness valor

 

Machai - fighting combat

 

Peitharchia - discipline

 

Soter - safety preservation deliverance

 

Kratos - strength might power sovereign rule ( My personal favorite with the alternate spelling Creightos/Creightosian Terminators/Creightosian Gaurd etc)

Hetairoi, after Alexander's Companion Calvary?

I think the Custodes have Hetairon Gaurds as a unit.

 

I think the Custodes have Hetairon Gaurds as a unit.

Right you are.

 

 

Dang it, that was a strong contender.

 

 

Hetairoi could work. I believe these Macedonian terms could too:

Argyraspidae: silver shields, the elite of the diadochi

 

Hypasitai: the elite infantry of Alexander the Great, shield bearers

 

Pezhetairoi: Alexander the Great's phalangites

 

Those three look hard to pronounce. That and Pez is a candy over here.

 

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Greek_mythological_figures

 

Took a look here and came up with

 

Alke - spirit of prowess and courage

 

Arete - virtue excellence goodness valor

 

Machai - fighting combat

 

Peitharchia - discipline

 

Soter - safety preservation deliverance

 

Kratos - strength might power sovereign rule ( My personal favorite with the alternate spelling Creightos/Creightosian Terminators/Creightosian Gaurd etc)

Hetairoi, after Alexander's Companion Calvary?

I think the Custodes have Hetairon Gaurds as a unit.

 

 

Machai and Alke have potential. The rest I'll save for Legion linguistics.

 

 

Athenoi is growing on me. Alkoi could also work, or be repurposed as a term for veterans.

 

This was an idea I had off-hand, but I'm relly liking the ironic symbolism. Sig, what's the singular?

 

 

Athenoi is growing on me. Alkoi could also work, or be repurposed as a term for veterans.

 

This was an idea I had off-hand, but I'm relly liking the ironic symbolism. Sig, what's the singular?

 

Athenoi=Athenos

Alkoi=Alkos

 

 

Hm, I like Blunt's suggestion for Alkoi becoming a general term for the veterans among the more Greek-ish Wardens. 

 

After thinking on it, I just like Athenoi a lot. It works on several levels. First, it's a parallel to the Astartes, which is tied to the goddess Ishtar, hinting at ways that Alexandros takes after the Emperor. Second, it works as a subtle subversion or a mild form of resistance against the Emperor's militant Atheism, using a name that is tied to another goddess. If ever pressed on it, Alexandros can always fall back on the claim that he's truly harkening to the city of Athens, evoking its wisdom and its importance in ancient history as opposed to Athena. Third, the Athenoi are supposed to represent several of Athena's popular qualities, such as defensive warfare, city-building, and wisdom. 

 

So, thanks for all the help guys!

 

~~~

 

On a separate note, I had a thought about another potential reason the Emperor chooses Alexandros over Icarion. As has been seen in his own history, the Emperor can and does bend the rules in small ways as he crafts the Imperium. He never beholds himself to the letter of the law, being more mindful that sometimes it's important to show a degree of flexibility. Thus, Alexandros is a more proper Warmaster as he does demonstrate this 'bending' throughout his own service, unlike Icarion who is the perfect and diligent son but ultimately breaks. 

Thanks to Sig, Legion name in Greek: galinioi oi teron

In actual Greek Script: Γαλινιοι οι Τηρων

 

Alexandros = Αλεξανδρος Δαρσαν Φον Σηλιμ (Alexandros Darsan Fon Salim)

Αλκιλλησ/Αλκιλλεσ. Alkilleys/Alkilles

Ιρφιν Ρυελ. Irfin Ruel

Μαχτφα. Mahtfa

Γαιος Ακιλιος, Gaios Akilios

Πρισφιρα Σαυχαν . prisfira sauhan

Εδρικ Ιεσιε. Edrik Iesie

Πιρρικλης/Πιρικλες. Pirrikles

Ιμμανζευλ Καντ. Immanzeul Kant

Αδαλβαρδ. Adalbard

Γαιυς. Gaius 

Λοθαρ. Lothar

Ιοργ Κασφο. Iorg Casfo

εμου παωι. emou paioi

 

Language Guide

 

Χαιρε. Pronounced Haire/ai in greek is pronounced like I(as in I am) in english

 

pater. πατερ (Father)
 
εμου παωι. emou paioi (My son)
 
ό αυτοκρατος ασπιζειν, ημεις αυτων του ασπου εσμεν!
ho autokratos aspizein,
eymeis auton tou aspou esmen!
The Emperor protects,
We are his shield!
 
ό αυτοκρατος ανικπουει, ημεις αυτων του ζιφου εσμεν!
ho autokratos anikpouei,
eymeis auton tou zifou esmen!
the emperor strikes,
we are his blade
Edited by simison

I have discovered I cannot do a proper casualty count for the Madrigal Purge, until I straighten out the V Legion's numbers and divisions. 

 

Pre-DoR equals 240,000 marines. 

 

7 Active Cohorts and 1 Inactive Cohort = 7 Legates (10 Legates must be an artifact from the original 11 Cohort structure)

 

  • 1st Cohort: Largest, home to the Athenoi and the Order of the Shield
  • 2nd Cohort: Most aggressive cohort, home to the Terran recruits and the Prefects/Tank Masters; also home to the Destroyers
  • 3rd Cohort: Home to the Order of the Mind, smaller cohort due to the psyker population; also the most dispersed due to being a collection of specialists
  • 4th Cohort: Wardens who are in the Legion-exchange program; smallest cohort
  • (The first four cohorts are collectively referred to as the 'Disciples of Destruction' since they are always active on the Great Crusade's front lines)
  • 5th Cohort: Garrison cohort, second largest cohort and most widely dispersed, home of the Diplomatic Corps
  • 6th Cohort: Anti-rebellion cohort, specializes in anti-human combat
  • 7th Cohort: Honor Guard of Delos and Terra
  • 8th Cohort: Symbolic, exists only on paper and lists every Warden to have died in serve; lead to the colloquial saying "Transferred to the Eighth" as a metaphor for dying
  • (Collectively, the latter four cohorts are called the 'Disciples of Protection' since they are more concerned with the interior of the Imperium.)

Once again, I find myself debating the need for the 6th Cohort. We already have several exemplaries and stories where various Legions partake in stopping rebellions. Heck, that's one of the big reasons for the Predators is to hunt down traitors. The original idea was to have a cohort who was not as dispersed as the Fifth and offer a source of potential darkness since the Sixth specializing in attacking the very people the Legion is sworn to protect and serve. Lot of potential conflict and cynicism.

 

Do people think I should keep the 6th Cohort?

You could make one a reactionary force. Say the 5th holds whatever positions it's given while the 6th moves around, putting out the fires as they occur.

 

But is that still justifiable with all of the Legions having suppression duties?

 

Should one Cohort necessarily take all the Destroyers? I figure they'd be handy to have as a reserve throughout the Legion.

 

Home, in this case, means majority. There are Destroyers in the other cohorts.

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