Need help with my Black Shields

[Brother Aiwass]

Please note: English is not my first language so forgive any typos and mistakes. Also I'm not sure if I'm going to go full IA, but need fluff consistency and review.

 

 

Been thinking in the fluff of my planned black shields. I would need some advice though. It's been hard to decide which legion they started, finally I decided -oh, the heresy- that they would be some Space Wolves that gone rogue.

 

 

I chosen the wolves because they're fierce warriors (and vikings in space, and one thing the vikings did is raid the world). But what reason could have a SW to become rogue? What are the motivations? My line of thought  was that the logic of a force who became blackshields do so following a path, that is not a thing that occur within one day. Thus, my thinking lead me to legion->shattered legion->blackshields: orphans of war->blackshields: outlanders (that is, for my chosen option, not for all the shields or paths, ofc).

 

 

From that point, what are again their motivations? I don't know much about the SW in the heresy era (and what I know about them in the 40k setting, I dislike it very much, specially the wolf-mac wolf frostclaw barf fang thing) but I have some surface knowledge about Prospero.

 

Before the HH book 6 was leaked, I had in mind returning to the hobby with a Red Corsairs force that was gone rogue, against Huron and the whole galaxy. Mainly because I wanted a space pirate force, the opportunity to paint any space marine chapter that I liked (or disliked) in the same force and then, red-cross slash their chapter symbols. My force would have lead by a former Night Lord sentenced to death by his captain (and being red-handed) who escaped and  joined Huron in the past. Somehow, Huron pissed him a lot by sending him to suicide missions and he, during a battle, managed to take control of the spaceship who he had in charge, killed the opposition and he and his men fled the battle, not before destroying by surprise a cruiser of the Red Corsairs force. He was to be known by the alias of the Red Hand, and the space pirates were to be known as the Red Brotherhood. Their badge, a bloody red hand.

 

 

Then a wild HH book 6 appeared. And the Nemean Reaver and his Dark Brotherhood. Great. Now I'm in love with blackshields, who give me great rules and background to field space pirates, but I don't feel right about the previous fluff, nor the name I have chosen for them or the badge (damn you, beloved night lords). Nice. Back to thinking again, grinding my head, and back to the wolves.

 

I thought that a good reason of why a fierce, loyal SW turned against the Imperium and his brothers would be Prospero. That SW, of no name yet (but I'm leaning to call him Black Zarono, as a little homage to REH), was a Delegatus at the time of Prospero, a man (if we can call that to a space marine) of a serious character, who truly believed in what he was doing. A man of severe thoughts, who founded himself in the carnage at Prospero, killing fellow astartes for a reason he can not comprehend.

 

 

At this point I don't know if would be right the introduction of a badly wounded Thousand Sons member of the Corvidae, taken prisoner by Zarono and his company. In this postulation, he is able to interrogate and maintain some conversations with Thothmekri (the sorcerer) who lead him further in his dark thoughts about what was right, and the grim chess game they all participated as a pawns of others with no honor or consideration. Thothmekri would've been founded next day executed without his consent, by Einskaldir, a lieutenant of him, a fanatic wolf loyal to Russ and the Emperor who infuriated by the presence of a such traitor like Thothmekri in the ship, decided to take his life (and his skull). Zarono found this, and full of wrath, killed Einskaldir in front of his men. In a very dark mood now, locked himself in his chamber to meditate about was happened. Some wolves were very found on Einskaldir and very pissed off, others sided with Zarono. A very tense situation was occurring in the ship when Zarono speaked to the marines. He told them that was his right to kill Einskaldir because he killed an asset, a prisoner, in a dishonourable way and his actions tainted the honor of all of them, and if anyone disagreed, was free to come back to the surface of Prospero to kill fellow astartes if this was what they liked. In a couple of hours, two thirds of his men abandoned him, making planetfall with drop-pods and thunderhawks.

 

 

Zarono leaved Prospero with his loyals to never look behind. That was not all, however. Because those who abandoned him speaked against him to his fellows. And he was branded as a traitor, a renegade, which will be forever hunted by the wolves.

 

 

Some time after this events (if I finally include them), the Iron Snake (the strike cruiser Zarono stole from the wolves) receives a distress call from a planet. Some Raven Guard were sufferings against the Orks. They came in to help his fellows, after a crude battle, the RG survivors were taken aboard the Iron Snake and left the planet. (That is the bit about shattered legions). At some point, they were founded and attacked by a small fleet of the space wolves and could barely escape. After that, they take an oath, renouncing forever to their colors and name. The scant RGs, overwhelmed by what happened, joined Zarono. They were now free fighters who had been betrayed by their fellows and the Imperium (Orphans of War). They were no more aligned with anyone. They were no more Space Wolves. They were the Devil Dogs (1).
 
With few to none resources, they start to prey any imperial world they can reach safely, and salvaging anything they can, being that xenos, human, renegade, loyal or traitor alike. Answering calls from time ti time, to help for a price, recruiting between raids. (Outlanders).
 
They would have very light equipment. No terminators left. Some scavenged walkers from distant worlds (count as dreads). Not sure if allow them to take one or two Landraiders?
 
NOTE: (1) I decided that name yesterday night. This morning I googled it. A nickname for the US Marines. Great. However, is also an alternative name to the hellhounds (barghest, cwn annwn, etc.) and an allegory of the fact that they were not actually wolves (roaming free predators) but prey dogs misused by a tyrant.
Not sure if would be ok to take it or change it to something like The Free Companies.

So this is it. Ideas, criticism and advice needed and welcomed. Feel free to tear me apart.
Cheers!

[Sete]

Dude what colour are you using? Can't read a thing on my mobile.

[Brother Aiwass]

White, sorry. I don't know why but when pasting it changed to dark blue and I tried to fix it

Edit: I think it should be ok now.

[Dizzyeye01]

I would say if anything you don't need to have a Thousand Sons sorcerer be captured to get the space wolves to go rogue. Just think about the event in general (forgive me if I get something wrong). The Emperor orders Russ to go and capture Magnus for ruining the imperial webway portal. Whilst on their way to Prospero Horus manages to get in contact and tells Russ that Magnus actually needs to be killed, which Russ tries to go, wrecking Prospero in the process. 

 

You can always have it that your leader is questioning (If he has knowledge of Horus changing it to lethal:

 

1. The sudden change from capture to kill.

2. Whether or not Horus' word as Warmaster beats the Emperor Himself.

3. Deciding to not even try and get a surrender before the battle even began.

 

This along with generally questioning everything that he holds dear (Like the actions needed to get to the primarch in the first place) along with the destruction that they are causing. Prospero is just the catalyst that makes your leader decide that enough is enough. Perhaps A group of civillians were caught in the crossfire and the Wolves executed them just because it was the Thousand Sons planet.

[Kelborn]

Or it could be a separate force of the VI legion.

 

I have (forgot the name of the short story) Lord Bulveye in mind who fought against an Dark Eldar force with only a handful of Astartes at his side.

 

Think about a task force or something like that which conquered a hostile system or sub sector. As they were separated for a couple of months / years, the first update they got was Horus' version of Prospero about Russ gone traitor, etc.

 

They could be convinced that the Emperor is the bad guy and Horus tries to save mankind or something like that.

As they don't want to believe Horus but neither can deny what Russ did on Prospero, they've gone rogue.

[Brother Aiwass]

@Dizzyeye. No need to apologize, and thanks for your reply.

The sorceror's bit was there to add some drama (and another reference to REH), but you're absolutely right, there is no need for that. I wasnt sure about this part, maybe should just skip it.

I like your input on Horus (totally forget about that!), so it can be game changing aswell. Also the civialian bit reminds me somehow of the movie Platoon. Very inspiring, thanks

@Kelborn. That is a nice twist that I'm going to consider aswell, thank you! ^_^

[Olis]

I believe Dizzyeye cuts to the meat of it - we don't need added drama in the story when the events themselves are dramatic as it is. The idea that Zarono was a voice of dissent during a pivotal moment in the opening gambits of the Heresy, especially if it came to critically questioning the validity the Warmaster's change of orders, should be enough impetus to set up the initial conflict of interests. 

 

Having divided loyalties amongst those that agree with Einskaldir (who could be absolutist in his views and advocate that the Warmaster's word is enough without question) and those implicitly loyal to Zarono (whether or not that actually agree with him) would allow for Zarono to become disenfranchised from the entire venture.

 

From here it is unclear what could prompt his departure from the Legion itself. Perhaps Einskaldir contacted the Hrafnkel prior to his death, implicating Zarono and his fellows with treachery. Perhaps Zarono's past could be enough to convince Russ that Einskaldir spoke the truth (maybe Zarono has a reputation as a dissident) and with the death of a loyal element aboard an apparently rogue ship, Russ would dispatch a force to quell Zarono and his men. Passed redemption, Zarono would have little choice but to run. 

 

Maybe after this 'detachment' from the Legion Zarono and his men cast aside their oaths. Maybe they merely foreswear their identity as members of the VI^th Legion. Regardless, they are now on their own (barring them picking up any strays). 

 

Do you have a name yet? The 'Company of Zarono'? How about 'The Fornektii' (adapted from a Norse word that means 'deny' or 'disowned')? Just some ideas.

[Brother Aiwass]

For the name, my mind yelled "Devil Dogs", but...

 

 

 

I decided that name yesterday night. This morning I googled it. A nickname for the US Marines. Great. However, is also an alternative name to the hellhounds (barghest, cwn annwn, etc.) and an allegory of the fact that they were not actually wolves (roaming free predators) but prey dogs misused by a tyrant.
Not sure if would be ok to take it or change it to something like The Free Companies.

 

I will stay away from norse names because of the sense of reject about his people and the blending with Raven Guards survivors and other that may join them. However I like the meaning of The Fornektii and its implications. Maybe The Forsaken?

 

I would thank you aswell for your insights. That would keep my mind busy (not necessarily a good thing, because I have a test this Saturday). I need to work the concepts all you exposed here, because I think that they could combine very smoothly, even including some hints about previous disagreements between Zarono and Einskaldir.

Considering the absence of Thothmekri, the sorcerer TS, Einskaldir's death could be worked out in Prospero, after the killing of some civilians, making Einskaldir accusing him of weakness and boasting about how he informed to the Hrafnkel meaning he is not able to hold the command of the force. A challenge followed ending in the death of Einskaldir, always jealous because he wasn't in charge or something in the lines.