IA: The Inheritors

[Olis]

This chapter, on and off, has been tinkered with for... about two decades. An earlier incarnation (known as the Emperor's Blood) was even submitted to B&C well over ten years ago and was promptly torn to shreds. I think this particular version of the Chapter is about the third major iteration, not counting the many, many edits each iteration has suffered in it's time. Some choice details remain from the very beginning, such as the home world name and the number of the Founding but the Chapter first dreamed up in the 90's would barely recognise the Chapter of today.

Suffice it to say, the time is long due past for this IA to be completed and done so that I may submit it to the Tabula and focus on newer and fresher ideas. This old warhorse needs to be put out to pasture. What better time to do this than the BotA 2016 challenge?

CHAPTER DATAFILE: INHERITORS

CHAPTER NAME:..................................INHERITORS
FOUNDING: ...........................................17^th [M.36]
HOME WORLD: ....................................PARCUASCHIA
FORTRESS MONASTERY:.......................DORN’S BLADE
GENE-SEED (PREDECESSOR): ................IMPERIAL FISTS
KNOWN DESCENDANTS:..........................NONE
STATUS:...............................................LOYAL

[basicheaderhalf'ORIGINS']ORIGINS[/basicheaderhalf]

Stepping into the Breach

Considering the little knowledge that still exists of the Pale Wasting and the great casualties involved, Chapter records say what is known is simply that eleven Chapters were lost. It remains a matter of courtesy to take these texts as truth. Also hinted at in those ancient pages is the Chapter that was replaced by the Inheritors. Described as “... the sons of Corax, lost to Mankind forever...” it remains otherwise unnamed.

C

reated, as Chapter annals record, in the wake of the Pale Wasting, the Inheritors initially took to the void as a crusading Chapter. The build up to the Chapter’s launch was atypical of any other Chapter birthed at the time – ships, equipment and gene-seed were stockpiled for the foreseen date, including the appropriation of an orphaned Strike Cruiser - the Borealis. Furnished by Mars with a glut of wargear, the Inheritors, as this new Chapter was so named, had all that was needed to bring the light of the Imperium to the darkest reaches of the galaxy.

One of the later Chapters of the seventeenth founding, the Inheritors came unto the Imperium, by design, as replacements for those lost in previous years. The attrition faced by the Imperial authorities at the time necessitated action. The Inheritors and their cousin Chapters were to be what shored up these gaps in the Imperium’s arsenal. The High Lords themselves gave their seals, sanctioning the birth of the Chapter.

The veteran cadre of Crimson Fists drafted to lead this nascent force plunged the crusade fleet directly into the closest warzone. They alone guided the Inheritors through the opening years of their existence, determined to do their primarch proud.

[basicheaderhalf'CHAPTER HISTORY']CHAPTER HISTORY[/basicheaderhalf]

Brother Ctharen, Fourth Company, 456.M37

T

he fledgling Chapter’s master, Anarus Cebrian, threw his Chapter full force at the first subjugated world in the aftermath of the Pale Wasting they encountered, determined to bring fury and fire to their foes. Each war torn world had to suffer before it could be restored to the Imperium, cleansed by pain and blood. Secessionists fell under the brute force levelled at them. Xenos demesnes withered and died. Traitors of most ancient heresies did not find the sons of Dorn wanting. By the time the virgin Chapter had conquered its twentieth world, bloodied but proud, Cebrian had grown impatient. The crusade was taking too long.

The Chapter was pushed harder, undertaking multiple campaigns, cutting a swathe coreward... and so the pattern continued. The Chapter would seek out a world fallen from the Emperor’s light and proceed to bring it back by bolter and chainsword. Whether a world was corrupted by treason, xenos or heresy mattered little. All that was important was each had fallen from Imperial control and therefore had to be brought back under the golden throne's aegis.

This attitude was to shape the long term outlook of the Chapter. The Inheritors, aggressive and uncompromising in nature, often cared little for the concerns of others. All that mattered was that their foes were slaughtered and the Imperium ruled the stars. There was no place for any other philosophy in the young Chapter. Long after Cebrian himself died in battle, the Inheritors continued to accrue grudges, often through lack of respect. Centuries passed by and few counted themselves as friends to these sons of Dorn. Their poor relationship with Adeptus Mechanicus seems to stem from this time, in the early years of Chapter history, and would prove a mistake that would cost the Chapter dearly in time to come.

Subfile 42a: Machine antipathy

Ryza, in the latter years of M39, had a strained relationship with the Inheritors – from cultural misunderstandings and failed guarantees of battlefield support to accidental bloodshed, it was clear things were coming to a head. A delegation from Ryza approached the Inheritors on their home world, unannounced, with an ultimatum. Chapter annals record the ultimatum itself but not the fate of the delegation, reported missing mere months later. The Chapter maintains its innocence to this day but neither promises nor threats stopped the powerful magi from issuing a cessation of all links to the Chapter. The Inheritors had to look elsewhere for technological supplies.

Not long after Ryza withdrew supply rights to the Inheritors (subfile 42a), the Chapter further incurred the wrath of the Adeptus Mechanicus with the destruction of a Demi-Legio of god-machines, including the warlord titan Omnia Vox. With the machine priesthood furious from the conclusions made of the mysterious circumstances, they cut off access to Mechanicus facilities over the whole galaxy. The Chapter had been blacklisted. For centuries the Inheritors were reduced to little better than a scavenging remnant of its former glory. The relied upon their own forges to create new equipment, yet this process was far too slow to meet the attrition the Chapter faced. More often than not unclaimed equipment found on distant battlefields was pressed into service as soon as possible with little thought towards previous provenance.

Although the relations between the Chapter and the Adeptus Mechanicus improved through great effort on part of the Inheritors, it was the better part of two millennia before the Chapter could claim the same rights it enjoyed all those centuries before. (This bit is still yet to be expanded.)

[basicheaderhalf'HOME WORLD']HOME WORLD[/basicheaderhalf]

T

he home world of the Inheritors, Parcuaschia, is mostly a hot, barren place with warring natives more interested in nationalism than the Imperium at large. Time and time again have the borders changed on Parcuaschia, a subject of negligible importance to the Chapter. All the Inheritors wanted or needed from their home world were resources, both in men and war materiel.

Parcuaschia, wallowing in millennia of civilisational dust, is evident on charts dating back all the way to the Great Crusade, marked then as a backwater world with little to offer except a wealth of common minerals. Of the colonies and the mines that sprang up at the time, all that was left was ruined mineheads and territorial tribes. Long gone were the aspirations of wealth and fame, the natives caring more for sustenance and shelter.

For all the difficulties living amongst desert steppes, seas of sand and humid coastlines, the human population of Parcuaschia lives well enough that sending their sons to seek glory with the ‘Stone Warriors’ is a common occurrence. Simply getting within sight of the fortress monastery is an accomplishment, let alone crossing the barren wastelands that surround it. Fields of bone lie testament to those who failed this first trial.

The surviving Techmarines, servitors and Chapter menials from the crusade fleet bore the main task of building the fortress monastery of the Inheritors whilst the brothers of the Chapter continued to wage war, some time in the ninth century, M36. Constructed entirely by the design of the Master of the Forge, a man whom several claimed had been touched by visions, the new fortress monastery arose as a mountain of the wastes in Parcuaschia’s hinterlands, resembling a great sword thrust into the very depths of the world. Finally, after nine decades, the towering edifice of Dorn's Blade was complete. But Cebrian didn't live long enough to witness its glorious completion, whom had died in battle and a new master presided over the Inheritors.

[basicheaderhalf'BELIEFS']BELIEFS[/basicheaderhalf]


[basicheaderhalf'ORGANISATION']ORGANISATION[/basicheaderhalf]

W

ith the Chapter settled and steadily drawing recruits from their home world, the Inheritors changed incrementally. From the way brothers spoke, to the names of the brothers themselves, the native culture of Parcuaschia insinuated it's way into the very fabric of the Chapters. The organisation of the Inheritors largely stayed the same through these cosmetic variances. Indeed the Chapter is rightly noted for its compliance to Codex standards.

The most obvious change within the Inheritors are the titles held by the highest and lowest ranking marines. The Chapter Master himself is otherwise known as the ‘Heirarch’ - a term believed to come from an outside source in relation to the Chapter name itself. It is an honourific from before even the eldest of the Inheritors can remember - perhaps even one going back to the crusading days of the Chapter. Cebrian is known as the first Heirarch of the Chapter, but whether this is a retroactive title or one he actually bore is a matter of debate. Scouts of the Chapter are known as ‘Squire-Brothers’. ‘Squire’, it appears, derives from the native word ‘scur’ meaning ‘son’ or ‘younger’. Translated into High Gothic, this term carries similar connotations to the original word but lacks one important detail - 'Scur' implies a familial connection, and therefore to the older Brothers of the Chapter these neophytes are culturally their kin.

[basicheaderhalf'GENE-SEED']GENE-SEED[/basicheaderhalf]

[/dropcap]


[basicheaderhalf'COMBAT DOCTRINE']COMBAT DOCTRINE[/basicheaderhalf]

[basicheaderhalf'BATTLE CRY']BATTLE CRY[/basicheaderhalf]

[dropcap]

[basicheaderhalf'HEROES OF THE CHAPTER']HEROES OF THE CHAPTER[/basicheaderhalf]

The first Master of Sanctity, Creightos Demus
Master of Sanctity C. M37, Ullan Seraphias
The first Chapter Master Anarus Cebrian, Heirarch of the Inheritors

[Ace Debonair]

This chapter, on and off, has been tinkered with for... about two decades. An earlier incarnation (known as the Emperor's Blood) was even submitted to B&C well over ten years ago and was promptly torn to shreds. I think this particular version of the Chapter is about the third major iteration, not counting the many, many edits each iteration has suffered in it's time. Some choice details remain from the very beginning, such as the home world name and the number of the Founding but the Chapter first dreamed up in the 90's would barely recognise the Chapter of today.

And I thought I'd been working on the White Hawks for a long time.

But you should certainly be proud of the progress your Chapter's made! It sounds like they've come a long way.

Anyway, on with the task at hand!

T

he fledgling Chapter’s master, Anarus Cebrian, threw his Chapter full force at the first subjugated world in the aftermath of the Pale Wasting they encountered, determined to bring fury and fire to their foes. Each war torn world had to suffer before it could be restored to the Imperium, cleansed by pain and blood. Secessionists fell under the brute force levelled at them. Xenos demesnes withered and died. Traitors of most ancient heresies did not find the sons of Dorn wanting. By the time the virgin Chapter had conquered its twentieth world, bloodied but proud, Cebrian had grown impatient. The crusade was taking too long.

Picking at nits here, but that last sentence is a bit iffy.

There's nothing to indicate how long the conquest of these worlds had taken - was Cebrian right to be impatient, or was he just expecting too much, too soon?

The Chapter was pushed harder, undertaking multiple campaigns, cutting a swathe coreward... and so the pattern continued.

Coreward? Towards the core of what?

This might just be me missing something, to be fair - but I can't see anything to suggest where exactly the Inheritors are.

The Chapter would seek out a world fallen from the Emperor’s light and proceed to bring it back by bolter and chainsword.

Aww yiss

With the machine priesthood furious from the conclusions made of the mysterious circumstances, they cut off access to Mechanicus facilities over the whole galaxy. The Chapter had been blacklisted. For centuries the Inheritors were reduced to little better than a scavenging remnant of its former glory. The relied upon their own forges to create new equipment, yet this process was far too slow to meet the attrition the Chapter faced. More often than not unclaimed equipment found on distant battlefields was pressed into service as soon as possible with little thought towards previous provenance.

Interesting stuff. What effect did this have on the Chapter's beliefs or mindset? Did this change anything beyond the amount of gear the Inheritors could field?

Finally, after nine decades, the towering edifice of Dorn's Blade was complete. But Cebrian didn't live long enough to witness its glorious completion, whom had died in battle and a new master presided over the Inheritors.

That last sentence is awfully unwieldy. Perhaps something like:

"While Cebrian had perished in battle before its glorious completion, his successor deemed it a worthy structure to serve the Inheritors", or something like that. Maybe even make part of it into Cebrian's tomb?

The most obvious change within the Inheritors are the titles held by the highest and lowest ranking marines. The Chapter Master himself is otherwise known as the ‘Heirarch'

...

Scouts of the Chapter are known as ‘Squire-Brothers’. ‘Squire’, it appears, derives from the native word ‘scur’ meaning ‘son’ or ‘younger’. Translated into High Gothic, this term carries similar connotations to the original word but lacks one important detail - 'Scur' implies a familial connection, and therefore to the older Brothers of the Chapter these neophytes are culturally their kin.

Love it. Without a doubt my favourite part of the whole Chapter so far.

But then I get a bit crazy about little trivial things like that.

Overall, I'd say so far, so good.

Obviously the sections you've left blank need filling in and there's a few rough edges here and there, but this is a fine, solid start.

My only other question is; why are the ears on their helmets white?

[Olis]

This chapter, on and off, has been tinkered with for... about two decades. An earlier incarnation (known as the Emperor's Blood) was even submitted to B&C well over ten years ago and was promptly torn to shreds. I think this particular version of the Chapter is about the third major iteration, not counting the many, many edits each iteration has suffered in it's time. Some choice details remain from the very beginning, such as the home world name and the number of the Founding but the Chapter first dreamed up in the 90's would barely recognise the Chapter of today.

And I thought I'd been working on the White Hawks for a long time.

But you should certainly be proud of the progress your Chapter's made! It sounds like they've come a long way.

Oh, believe me, they've come a long, looong way. In their original, fresh-off-the-press version (back when I was still a teenager) they had all sorts wrong with them as an IA. They used heavy stubbers, they had a special-snowflake unit, they fought any and all the races in 40k over the course of the IA, they had special 'junior chaplains', there was name drops everywhere... the list goes on. Breaking that Chapter and the IA they were in, much as my teenage self found it difficult, was necessary. I have the Liberites from the early 2000's to thank for making me realise that my baby was a broken lump of snowflakey cack. The Inheritors would not be here if I did not begin to reshape things way back when.

T

he fledgling Chapter’s master, Anarus Cebrian, threw his Chapter full force at the first subjugated world in the aftermath of the Pale Wasting they encountered, determined to bring fury and fire to their foes. Each war torn world had to suffer before it could be restored to the Imperium, cleansed by pain and blood. Secessionists fell under the brute force levelled at them. Xenos demesnes withered and died. Traitors of most ancient heresies did not find the sons of Dorn wanting. By the time the virgin Chapter had conquered its twentieth world, bloodied but proud, Cebrian had grown impatient. The crusade was taking too long.

Picking at nits here, but that last sentence is a bit iffy.

There's nothing to indicate how long the conquest of these worlds had taken - was Cebrian right to be impatient, or was he just expecting too much, too soon?

Nitpick away, brother. I'll see what can be done about this. I agree that this is an oversight.

The Chapter was pushed harder, undertaking multiple campaigns, cutting a swathe coreward... and so the pattern continued.

Coreward? Towards the core of what?

This might just be me missing something, to be fair - but I can't see anything to suggest where exactly the Inheritors are.

Ah. It's terminology I believe I originally picked up from Abnett (although I have heard it elsewhere, too). 'Coreward' indicates a direction, galactically, in relation to the galaxy itself seeing as the traditional north/south/east/west doesn't quite fit. Instead, there is coreward/rimward/spinward/trailing. So, when I say 'coreward' I mean 'going towards the galactic core'. I hope I have not confused you further.

With the machine priesthood furious from the conclusions made of the mysterious circumstances, they cut off access to Mechanicus facilities over the whole galaxy. The Chapter had been blacklisted. For centuries the Inheritors were reduced to little better than a scavenging remnant of its former glory. The relied upon their own forges to create new equipment, yet this process was far too slow to meet the attrition the Chapter faced. More often than not unclaimed equipment found on distant battlefields was pressed into service as soon as possible with little thought towards previous provenance.

Interesting stuff. What effect did this have on the Chapter's beliefs or mindset? Did this change anything beyond the amount of gear the Inheritors could field?

This is indeed something to explore. In fact, I did (once upon a time) actually have more written for the Chapter which may or may not have addressed this. The problem is I have several memory sticks with a buttload of unsorted stuff. It could potentially be in that morass somewhere (excuses, excuses). It looks like I'll be busy tomorrow after work.

Finally, after nine decades, the towering edifice of Dorn's Blade was complete. But Cebrian didn't live long enough to witness its glorious completion, whom had died in battle and a new master presided over the Inheritors.

That last sentence is awfully unwieldy. Perhaps something like:

"While Cebrian had perished in battle before its glorious completion, his successor deemed it a worthy structure to serve the Inheritors", or something like that. Maybe even make part of it into Cebrian's tomb?

I'll certainly look into tweaking that. Make it sound less clunky.

My only other question is; why are the ears on their helmets white?

Aw crap. Looks like he'll need replacing. Oh woe is me. Seriously, while it's a relatively old picture, I can't believe I've never seen that. At least that will give me an opportunity to tinker and post up other pictures too.

Cheers, Ace. Expect me to visit your boys tomorrow.

[Ace Debonair]

Ta-da!
I also made the soft armour darker, it seems a bit peculiar when it's so much lighter than the rest of the armour.

EDIT:

Missed a word out again. I've gotta stop doing that!

[NightrawenII]

Ahem.

The Founding of Inheritors is messed up.

 

The occurence of the Pale Wasting is given as early M.34, however what I gather from the, rather unintelligible, text describing the event, it happened during Nova Terra Interregnum, which would set it in M.35.

The 6th edition Rulebook place the 21st Founding in 991.M35.

 

This all combined would place the founding of Inheritors in early M.35.

 

 

~ NightrawenII

[Olis]

In truth, I was expecting a more... comprehensive bowling ball to the face, brother.

Regardless, I will run through the numbers again. I had used Octavulg's timeline for the background. Maybe more digging is needed. ^_^

[NightrawenII]

The rest is... unimpressive and incomplete, so I'm withdrawing my comments until there will be more meat to chew.

 

 

~ NighrawenII

[Ace Debonair]

In truth, I was expecting a more... comprehensive bowling ball to the face, brother.

Regardless, I will run through the numbers again. I had used Octavulg's timeline for the background. Maybe more digging is needed.

Now that is just asking for trouble.

Besides, I've already picked all the worthwhile nits.

I'm very interested in seeing the Inheritors' belief and combat doctrine sections come together, though. I suspect most of the Chapter's flavour will come from those sections!