The Damnatio memoriae (My idea for personal chapter)

[ideox]

Hello everybody, this is my first attempt at creating a Liber Astartes, i've read the guides on this site and the do's and don'ts and so i've tried to put down a story for my chapter, it's still a draft, but i would like to know your opinion and if i did something wrong or if you have any suggestion!

here it is: also, english is not my first language, so sorry for the possible errors:
 

Story idea: Idea created using the guidelines contained in the forum Bolter & chainsword (http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/132379-guide-to-diying/) and inspired by the official chapter of GW Steel Confessor
 

• Adeptus Mechanicus, decides to create a chapter dedicated solely to supervise a library world discovered by the Adeptus Mechanicus during a dig for precious materials. Moreover, this chapter also accompany the explorers of the Adeptus Mechanicus and protect them during the research of further manuscripts scattered around the galaxy

The enormous library is located in the basement of the planet and is divided into section, one of them is an area specially dedicated to the alteration and to the development of appropriate subjects to become Astartes before joining the Chapter. Recruits are taken at a very early age or within the inhabitants of the planet itself, or from other planets, during esploration missions.

The planet where the mega-structure is located is a lush planet a "paradise world", located in the Segmentum pacificus, and is relatively far away from other outpost or inhabited planet. the Technology on planet is quite dated compared to the one of the library and the space marines. the marines fortress is located the only One fragment of the library visible from the outside, a palace that served as an entrance to the library itself (access hidden and inaccessible to those not in the know, in fact, that entry point had been transformed by the natives of the planet into the royal palace because it was in a favorable position and easily defensible, being on top of a hill and near a waterfall (Ses Naboo's royal palace). And this is why the chapter once arrived on the planet, got a hold of the royal palace, first by proposing a collaboration with the nobles of the place and then over the centuries,they took their place.

within the maze library there are some areas that are still unexplored and that are used for punitive purposes, sending Marines deserving punishment to explore them, with the double positive result in caso of success and failure, in case of failure, the marines to be punished would die, if successful it would be redeemed by exploring a new area of the library. The risks that a marine can encounter within the library are the scraps of surviving Adeptus Mechanicus experiments, whom in an attempt to use the knowledge contained inside the library and to create even more efficient weapons or servants have gone too far,  creating anomalies.

The risk for this chapter to be excommunicated for heresy is very thin, because the Adebptus Mechanicus has became to an agreement with the empire for which an Inquisitor must always be stationed on the planet in order to check that there are no danger to the empire

Often they clash with CSM of Tzeentch 

over thousands of years in which they were the guardians and custodians of the library they began to grow more and more detached from the empire and increasingly attached to the Adeptus Mechanicus, for a more utilitarian principle than anything else.

while reading the tomes contained in its interior, they grow more and more distant from what the empire has become, getting closer to the emperor original mission.and they started seeing the Emperor, more like an idea than a physical subject,a lil'  bit like Buddhism. And they start to spread this doctrine in several possible planets in the galaxy, the inquisitor stationed on the planet, immediately decides to intervene by threatening the chapter of heresy and of a possible excommunication or Exterminatus, thanks to the presence of the Adeptus Mechanicus and their infulence they  are able to placate the anger of the inquisitor and modify the penalty in a thousand-year crusade to eliminate anyone who came into contact with these manuscripts

[Erasus]

Hello!

First off well done for the work you've got so far, I always feel it takes a lot of courage to post your own stuff in front of everyone. Bravo!

Right let's get down to business, I'm sorry if some of my questions or points seem brutal but they are (in my mind) necessary to hammer your Chapter into a shape that fits known fluff, in some way.

Ok! So, I know there is a language barrier here but from what I understand the Chapter was founded solely by the Adeptus Mechanicus (AdMech). This is a problem.

The Steel Confessors were an exception to the rule. They were founded in secret, and the AdMech nearly sparked another civil war over it. The chances of this happening again are close to zero, especially as the power of the Inquisition has only grown since the Age of Apostasy. Even if you have an Inquisitor present at all times, it is still a danger. The creation of a Chapter without the consent of the High Lords of Terra is one of the greatest and most dangerous heresies anyone can commit, and it would not be overlooked (again).

A second problem is the Chapter's sole reason to exist is to supervise a library, space marines are made for war and even the mighty AdMech cannot authorise the creation of space marines for supervision of a single world not in dire threat.

My solution, have your Chapter as independent Iron Hand successors. This explains their friendship with the AdMech. As for why they settle on the library world, well once they're founded they can go and find it and decide it needs their attention. The High Lords of Terra won't ask them to move on, Chapters are independent. If you're really keen on keeping the AdMech being in control then you'd need to sort out a date, when did this happen? If it happened after the Steel Confessors then I think Terra would be really hard on them and the AdMech, with the Inquisition likely to take full control of the library.

Next point, the library. I like the idea of a library filled with secrets, but in what kind and in what format? The AdMech are hungry for STCs, so if even a scrap of one is there they would never leave, which brings me to ask why did they in the first place? Why leave a treasure trove of knowledge in the hands of space marines? More importantly how have the Inquisition (if you keep them involved) not completely taken over? The threat of daemonic, heretical or xenos taint and corruption could be so high that they would probably take control and kick everyone else out, no matter who they are.

I love the idea of punished marines taking quests into the depths. However the abominations living in the deep would be the exact reason the Inquisition would take over if they knew. Many Chapters have secrets, many have secrets that would make them enemies of the Imperium if they were discovered but these Chapters work hard to keep the Inquisition away from finding the truth, often going to extreme lengths to do so. Maybe keep the Inquisition out until they discover the heretical beliefs of the Chapter?

Regardless of what I said, I like the Library corrupting the Chapter into believing a heretical version of the Creed, and the penitent crusade that follows.

Now ignoring the narrative of your Chapter, I have a few questions;

1) why have them so friendly with the AdMech? is this a personal preference or is there a reason for this?

2) what is the name of the Chapter?

3) How does the Chapter interact with other Chapters?

4) Founding date? if known. Need to think about how this affects your Chapter, if its M36 its slap bang in the Age of Apostasy, later on they'll witness the Macharian Crusade and the Suppression of the Macharian Heresy, and so on so on

ok so that's my feedback, take from it what you will hope this helps​

[ideox]

Hello!

well, first of all, thank you very much for your suggestions and don't worry about being brutal or anything, i've posted it here just for this, so you have all of my gratitude!
i've tried to answer all'of your question and suggestions, don't know if they make sense or not, if they do not, pleas fell free to criticize and to correct me!

So...

Ok! So, I know there is a language barrier here but from what I understand the Chapter was founded solely by the Adeptus Mechanicus (AdMech). This is a problem.

The Steel Confessors were an exception to the rule. They were founded in secret, and the AdMech nearly sparked another civil war over it. The chances of this happening again are close to zero, especially as the power of the Inquisition has only grown since the Age of Apostasy. Even if you have an Inquisitor present at all times, it is still a danger. The creation of a Chapter without the consent of the High Lords of Terra is one of the greatest and most dangerous heresies anyone can commit, and it would not be overlooked (again).

regarding this point, what do you think if the chapter was created contemporary to the Steel Confessors, but it was hidden right away, on the library planet, not actually hidden but sent there in secret and lost to the memory during the fuss for the steel confessor? if is not possbile i'll think about it and maybe go with the idea you proposed.

A second problem is the Chapter's sole reason to exist is to supervise a library, space marines are made for war and even the mighty AdMech cannot authorise the creation of space marines for supervision of a single world not in dire threat.

Regarding this, the reason is not to supervise but to protect it from the incessant assult from Tzeenech chaos legion, which try to rob the library of all the knowledge contained inside, and the other reason is to go with the Adeptus explorer and defend them or kill/destroy those who have the knowledge the Adeptos is looking for. (possible or not ? )

The AdMech are hungry for STCs, so if even a scrap of one is there they would never leave, which brings me to ask why did they in the first place? Why leave a treasure trove of knowledge in the hands of space marines?

actually they didn't leave, they are still there, studying the manuscripts and the library content and exploring the galaxy, with the marines help, looking for more knowledge etc.. ( possible ? )

More importantly how have the Inquisition (if you keep them involved) not completely taken over? The threat of daemonic, heretical or xenos taint and corruption could be so high that they would probably take control and kick everyone else out, no matter who they are.

this is a really good point, i think i'll follow your suggestion of involving the inquisition only when they dioscover the heretic creed of the chapter and therefore condemn it to the crusade.

1) why have them so friendly with the AdMech? is this a personal preference or is there a reason for this?

well' i was thinking about the armament possibility, like more techmarines and easy access to stronger weapon ? (makes any sense ?)

2) what is the name of the Chapter?

the name of the chapter is the title of the post Damnatio Memoriae: from wikipedia: Damnatio memoriae is the Latin phrase literally meaning "condemnation of memory" in the sense of a judgment that a person must not be remembered. It was a form of dishonor that could be passed by the Roman Senate upon traitors or others who brought discredit to the Roman State. The intent was to erase someone from history, a task somewhat easier in ancient times, when documentation was much sparser.

3) How does the Chapter interact with other Chapters?

hmm i was thinking about, beutral at first and then, after their sdiscovery from the inquisition, not too friendly (possibile? )

4) Founding date? if known. Need to think about how this affects your Chapter, if its M36 its slap bang in the Age of Apostasy, later on they'll witness the Macharian Crusade and the Suppression of the Macharian Heresy, and so on so on

if you think that my solution ( a parallel chapter of the steel confessor, is possible, then that time, other wise do you have any suggestion ?

[Erasus]

Hello!

Sorry for the late reply!

regarding this point, what do you think if the chapter was created contemporary to the Steel Confessors, but it was hidden right away, on the library planet, not actually hidden but sent there in secret and lost to the memory during the fuss for the steel confessor? if is not possbile i'll think about it and maybe go with the idea you proposed.

Hmm, the big problem with this is that they are still hidden. When (not if) the Inquisition discover them or someone notices that there's an unknown Chapter then red flags will be going up. Now in reality the Inquisition is not aware of every single Chapter ever, they don't even share information with each other, so there is a chance it's just awkward trying to keep them a secret. It's even harder if the marines are going out with the AdMech on Explorator missions, then they're parading about in front of everyone.

I think for simplicity the story could go like this, Iron Hand Successor is founded -> Chapter receives call for aid from Library world -> AdMech there are under heavy attack and need assistance after their own army is destroyed -> Chapter arrives and defeats the small Thousand Sons force -> Magi and Chapter Master reach an agreement that the Library world MUST be defended, so Chapter stay to garrison the world -> AdMech continues to plunder the depths of the Library while the Chapter continues in its vigilance to watch over them. Is this of any interest to you? No pressure to accept it, it's just the easiest way out with the least issues.

actually they didn't leave, they are still there, studying the manuscripts and the library content and exploring the galaxy, with the marines help, looking for more knowledge etc.. ( possible ? )

The AdMech staying is going to definitely happen unless they all die or they were never there. Even once the Chapter is there, they won't trust marines to do the sacred work and will do it themselves.

As for the Explorator missions, space marines have been known to join these missions as part of old deals and oaths, however they are never a dedicated force. The AdMech have dedicated armies to do this, adding a Chapter to this is a push. The Chapter will have its own goals, they can't be a replacement for Skitarii or War Convocations. The Chapter does not work FOR the AdMech, they can help but they are independent. The Inquisition and High Lords of Terra would not allow the AdMech to have their own space marines, hence why the Steel Confessors were a big deal.

well' i was thinking about the armament possibility, like more techmarines and easy access to stronger weapon ? (makes any sense ?)

Ok I see what you were going for, but you have to remember the AdMech only really trusts those who believe in the same as them. So many Chapter have good relationships with the AdMech, however only the Iron Hands have the level of support that every officer is in Terminator armour and they have many many powerful older patterns of equipment. This is because the Iron Hands believe very similar things to the AdMech so they get on really well. Without the belief that 'flesh is weak' and that there is an 'Omnissiah' then why should the AdMech favour you?

You can have lots of Techmarines, that's a Chapter preference. But Techmarines belong to the Chapter not the AdMech.

What kind of weapons were you thinking of?

2) what is the name of the Chapter?

the name of the chapter is the title of the post Damnatio Memoriae: from wikipedia: Damnatio memoriae is the Latin phrase literally meaning "condemnation of memory" in the sense of a judgment that a person must not be remembered. It was a form of dishonor that could be passed by the Roman Senate upon traitors or others who brought discredit to the Roman State. The intent was to erase someone from history, a task somewhat easier in ancient times, when documentation was much sparser

That is an unusual name. Usually Chapters are named as something, like Onyx Fists, or Angels of Woe, or even just Patriarchs, it's done in a way that each marine can be referenced as something (the Fist took cover, the Angel revved his chainsword and the Patriarch welcomed the challenge). There are a few exceptions, Emperor's Wrath, Genesis Chapter, Death Strike. But even here there is a noun we can relate to as ​them.

Would we refer to your marines Memories?

Which is a cool idea but fits better with a Chaos warband where all sorts of weirdness makes it cooler. Here, in an Imperial Chapter it doesn't quite sit right.

I would recommend renaming this Chapter.

Maybe the Erudite Vigilants, or the Wardens of Steel or something?

Maybe Damnatio Memoriae could be the punishment they get?

Before we go any further I realised I failed to ask something quite important, what are the key things about this Chapter (before it started to change) that you really liked?

It would be nice to keep your favourite aspects if we can ​

[ideox]

Hello!

Sorry for the late reply!

regarding this point, what do you think if the chapter was created contemporary to the Steel Confessors, but it was hidden right away, on the library planet, not actually hidden but sent there in secret and lost to the memory during the fuss for the steel confessor? if is not possbile i'll think about it and maybe go with the idea you proposed.

Hmm, the big problem with this is that they are still hidden. When (not if) the Inquisition discover them or someone notices that there's an unknown Chapter then red flags will be going up. Now in reality the Inquisition is not aware of every single Chapter ever, they don't even share information with each other, so there is a chance it's just awkward trying to keep them a secret. It's even harder if the marines are going out with the AdMech on Explorator missions, then they're parading about in front of everyone.

I think for simplicity the story could go like this, Iron Hand Successor is founded -> Chapter receives call for aid from Library world -> AdMech there are under heavy attack and need assistance after their own army is destroyed -> Chapter arrives and defeats the small Thousand Sons force -> Magi and Chapter Master reach an agreement that the Library world MUST be defended, so Chapter stay to garrison the world -> AdMech continues to plunder the depths of the Library while the Chapter continues in its vigilance to watch over them. Is this of any interest to you? No pressure to accept it, it's just the easiest way out with the least issues.

actually they didn't leave, they are still there, studying the manuscripts and the library content and exploring the galaxy, with the marines help, looking for more knowledge etc.. ( possible ? )

The AdMech staying is going to definitely happen unless they all die or they were never there. Even once the Chapter is there, they won't trust marines to do the sacred work and will do it themselves.

As for the Explorator missions, space marines have been known to join these missions as part of old deals and oaths, however they are never a dedicated force. The AdMech have dedicated armies to do this, adding a Chapter to this is a push. The Chapter will have its own goals, they can't be a replacement for Skitarii or War Convocations. The Chapter does not work FOR the AdMech, they can help but they are independent. The Inquisition and High Lords of Terra would not allow the AdMech to have their own space marines, hence why the Steel Confessors were a big deal.

well' i was thinking about the armament possibility, like more techmarines and easy access to stronger weapon ? (makes any sense ?)

Ok I see what you were going for, but you have to remember the AdMech only really trusts those who believe in the same as them. So many Chapter have good relationships with the AdMech, however only the Iron Hands have the level of support that every officer is in Terminator armour and they have many many powerful older patterns of equipment. This is because the Iron Hands believe very similar things to the AdMech so they get on really well. Without the belief that 'flesh is weak' and that there is an 'Omnissiah' then why should the AdMech favour you?

You can have lots of Techmarines, that's a Chapter preference. But Techmarines belong to the Chapter not the AdMech.

What kind of weapons were you thinking of?

2) what is the name of the Chapter?

the name of the chapter is the title of the post Damnatio Memoriae: from wikipedia: Damnatio memoriae is the Latin phrase literally meaning "condemnation of memory" in the sense of a judgment that a person must not be remembered. It was a form of dishonor that could be passed by the Roman Senate upon traitors or others who brought discredit to the Roman State. The intent was to erase someone from history, a task somewhat easier in ancient times, when documentation was much sparser

That is an unusual name. Usually Chapters are named as something, like Onyx Fists, or Angels of Woe, or even just Patriarchs, it's done in a way that each marine can be referenced as something (the Fist took cover, the Angel revved his chainsword and the Patriarch welcomed the challenge). There are a few exceptions, Emperor's Wrath, Genesis Chapter, Death Strike. But even here there is a noun we can relate to as ​them.

Would we refer to your marines Memories?

Which is a cool idea but fits better with a Chaos warband where all sorts of weirdness makes it cooler. Here, in an Imperial Chapter it doesn't quite sit right.

I would recommend renaming this Chapter.

Maybe the Erudite Vigilants, or the Wardens of Steel or something?

Maybe Damnatio Memoriae could be the punishment they get?

Before we go any further I realised I failed to ask something quite important, what are the key things about this Chapter (before it started to change) that you really liked?

It would be nice to keep your favourite aspects if we can ​

Wow, don’t worry about the reply, you’re too kind to waste your time with this also let me thank you, you gave me a lot to think about and this is what i came out with

Ok so, what if is not an iron hand successor chapter, but just a chapter, will think about it , the iron hand works fine anyway, but what if the chapter was created by the imperium for the purpose to watch over the Admech and protect the library? So the imperium make it so that the planet is discovered and attacked by the thousand sons (maybe with the help of a cunning inquisitor, this way the imperium or the chapter intercept a call for aid from Library world (and so on as you described )-> AdMech there are under heavy attack and need assistance after their own army is destroyed -> Chapter arrives and defeats the small Thousand Sons force -> Magi and Chapter Master reach an agreement that the Library world MUST be defended, so Chapter stay to garrison the world -> AdMech continues to plunder the depths of the Library while the Chapter continues in its vigilance to watch over them. Mean while as we told before, in the long run the chapter becomes corrupted and then sent on a crusade ( i like the idea to call the crusade Damnatio memoriae) so, what do you think if i change the chapter name to Keepers of memories or memories keepers (se they could be called the Keepers) this way the punishment is also ironic, because they are the keeper of memories and are sent on a crusade called damnatio memoriae) sounds good ?

The reason i wanted to be friend with the ad mech is exactly what you told (terminator armour and dreadnaught and also some forgotten weapon, but this was a pure aesthetic choice, so i you tell me that i can give this to other chapter, for me is pretty good anyway )

What i liked the most was that they were not-so-close with the imperium and that they had access to some hidden knowledge, also my idea of them, aesthetic wise, is that i’d like to fuse them with some parts of the Warhammer fantasy imperium, and cover them in books, parchment, seals and so on ( but i think i can fit this when they get corrupted by the library knowledge; they cover themselves in this knowledge so even when they die they can share it)

About the chapter, if not iron hand, which one do you think it wll fit better my aesthetic idea and fluff idea ?

So i don’t know, if you think the origin, as i’ve writtwen above, is fine i’think i’ll stick with it and develop it, in short:

Imperium creates the chapter to watch over the AdMech in the library world->they use an inquistor and their scheming nature to let the planet be attacked by the 1000sons (there were no real danger because the inquisitor was ready to help and intervene if it was thee case, also it wasn’t an heretic behaviour because this way they would wipe out the 1000son and also gain control of the planet and the library without the AdMech knowing the real reason, on the contrary, welcoming them and their help) -> the chapter, after a long time starts to be interested in the knowledge contained in the library-> they decide to share it -> they get stopped by the imperium-> and punished on a crusade called the Damnatio Memoriae (where they have to destroy and kill everyone that knows about it)