Sigismund229 Posted March 30, 2016 Share Posted March 30, 2016 "As the night gathers and the warp stirs I take this vowAs the ever lasting night gathers, I shall not falterI shall be the eternal eyeI shall be the eternal watcherI shall be the eternal guardianI shall take no part in the politics of menI shall suffer no evil to liveI shall know no fearWith my sword shall the night be held at bay and the warp turned backI am the eternal eyeI am the eternal watcherI am the eternal guardianI take no part in the politics of menI suffer no evil to liveI know no fearThe night gathers and my watch begins. It shall not end and I shall know no rest until my death for by my blood is the realm of men kept safe. In the service of man shall my life be forfeit, for I am a guardian of the ImperiumThe shield against the nightThe wall against the ImmateriumI am a warden of humanity and now my watch begins. I shall not leave my post until my death for when my blood has soaked the ground, the price shall have been paid in full and my duty fulfilled.I am the shield of man and I know no fear."This is a thread for all things Nightguard related, be they rules or fluff or even ideas post them here do that we don't clog up the main threads or the Inquisition thread.As it stands, here's the current info on the Nighguard.Strength:700 in the Tower of Vigilance. Led by ex Lightnig Bearer.400 in the Tower of Reason. Legion of Tower Master to be decided.400 in the Tower of Truth. Legion of Tower Master to be decided.71 in the Tower of Light. Led by ex Grave Stalker.Total: 1,571 astartes.Orbital elements:1 Gloriana, Vigilia AeternamFluff The SeekersMany a time upon the battlefields of the Great Crusade, legionnaires reported sightings of ghostly astartes in armour as black as night. Marching towards the enemy, their armour seemingly impervious to enemy weaponry and their own weapons seemingly killing with each strike. Sometimes these astartes would help them to fight their way through to an enemy commander or their objective, sometimes they would help them rescue squad brothers cut off by hordes of foes. However, when the battle was done, these ghostly astartes would sometimes have vanished along with one of the legionnaires or could be seen walking from the battlefield with one of their brothers in tow, now equally ghostlike in appearance. While the space marines who witnessed such events would disregard it as a trick, a hallucination, their began to appear rumours amongst the Imperial Army troopers who witnessed such things and retained their sanity. They began to say that they were angels, embodiments of the Emperor's will sent to fight alongside his troops so that, even if the Emperor was not their in person, he was represented by his angels in black.However, the truth is not that they were angels, or even a trick of the warp. They were, in fact, the Seekers of the Nightguard. Sent out across the galaxy, the task of the Seekers was to find new recruits for the Nightguard, legionnaires of great belief in the Imperial Truth and equally great skill at arms. Appearing on the battlefield via teleportation and using relic devices know as refractors which distort the light around them and cause them to appear as ghosts to any who see them, at the battle's end they will find their quarry and offer him a choice. He can continue to serve the Emperor within his own legion and potentially rise to achieve great deeds and rank their or he can "die" in order to serve a greater purpose. If the astartes chooses the first, he will be mind wiped and remember the encouter as just a dream. However, of he chooses the second, then he will be teleported back to the Nightguard escort ship awaiting in orbit and be taken to one of the Nightguard's Keeps in order to take the black and swear his vows to the order, taking on a new name and repressing his memories of his former life, dedicating his new life to battle with the denizens of the warp. However, while there is great honour in this path it is a great sacrifice to make. Listed as killed in action upon the world he was recruited, none shall ever know the names of those brothers of the Nightguard who fall in battle against their eatheric foes save for their brothers within the Nightguard and none shall ever know the true heroism of their actions. However, such is the dedication of these warriors to the Imperial Truth that they never lament this fact for a moment, knowing that by their actions humanity is kept safe. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/320938-ia-the-nightguard/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
simison Posted March 30, 2016 Share Posted March 30, 2016 Brief inspiration equals an idea. During the final years in the Insurrection, with Madrigal under siege & Chaos running rampant, the Nightguard have joined the new Loyalist-Revolutionary alliance as an anti-Chaos force. Alex, declaring the Nightguard to have one of the most important missions that will outlast the Insurrection, uses his diplomatic chops to arrange for a continuous Legion tithe to the Nightguard, so that they will always have the forces necessary to combat Chaos. With Chaos being buffed up by their new adherents in the Traitor legions, this leads to a far larger Nightguard, dubbed the XXIst Legion, post-Insurrection. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/320938-ia-the-nightguard/#findComment-4349967 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sigismund229 Posted March 30, 2016 Author Share Posted March 30, 2016 Brief inspiration equals an idea. During the final years in the Insurrection, with Madrigal under siege & Chaos running rampant, the Nightguard have joined the new Loyalist-Revolutionary alliance as an anti-Chaos force. Alex, declaring the Nightguard to have one of the most important missions that will outlast the Insurrection, uses his diplomatic chops to arrange for a continuous Legion tithe to the Nightguard, so that they will always have the forces necessary to combat Chaos. With Chaos being buffed up by their new adherents in the Traitor legions, this leads to a far larger Nightguard, dubbed the XXIst Legion, post-Insurrection. Hmm....it's a good idea but I just have one question. How do the Nightguard continue to ensure the quality of their recruits(adherence to the Imperial Truth, skill at arms etc.) as they're an elite body and one that astartes need to give themselves over to entirely, completely forgetting their previous lives and being utterly adherent to the Imperial Truth. For such a large expansion they might need to lower standards a bit Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/320938-ia-the-nightguard/#findComment-4349980 Share on other sites More sharing options...
simison Posted March 30, 2016 Share Posted March 30, 2016 Ideally, the legions tithing would select candidates based on qualities and traits the Nightguard says is desirable. There's nothing to say it has to be new recruits. So, with over 500k potential candidates, I think we have a broad enough pool to maintain a new legion with a high standard for entry. Keep in mind, the Nightguard doesn't have to be a big legion to operate, perhaps around the 50k mark, if we want to aim low to represent their high standards. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/320938-ia-the-nightguard/#findComment-4349986 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sigismund229 Posted March 30, 2016 Author Share Posted March 30, 2016 I'd be more comfortable with it being around the 10-20k mark. 50k feels too large also, here are the Nightguard rules as they stand atm Unique Wargear Aegis Pattern Power Armour: Any model wearing Aegis pattern power armour counts as having the Adamantium Will special rule and a 2+ armour save and 6++ invulnerable save. May be taken by any model or squad with the Legiones Astartes(Nightguard) special rule for +30 points each. Spirit Reaver: Any model equipped with a Spirit Reaver gains a weapon with the following profile: S: user AP:2 Melee, Soul Blaze. May be taken by any independent character or character with the Legiones Astartes(Nightguard) special rule for +20 points. Nightguard Munitions: Any model equipped with Nightguard munitions and armed with a bolter, bolt pistol or heavy bolter gains the following profile when shooting: S:4 AP:3 Soul Blaze, Gets Hot!. May be taken by any squad or independent character with the Legiones Astartes(Nightguard) special rule for +10 points for an independent character and +5 points per model in a squad(must be taken by all) . Special Rules The Eternal Vigil: Any squad with Legiones Astartes(Nightguard) gains Night vision and Zealot. Until the death: Any squad with Legiones Astartes(Nightguard) gains Feel No Pain(5+) and Hatred(Chaos) The Select Few: You may never take the Nightguard as your primary detachement. Instead, the Nightguard may be taken as allies by any force with Legiones Astartes(Loyalists) or Legiones Astartes(Renegades) and are treated as Distrusted Allies. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/320938-ia-the-nightguard/#findComment-4350060 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sigismund229 Posted March 31, 2016 Author Share Posted March 31, 2016 The Founding Few Of all the astartes who serve in the Nightguard, none are as respected as the survivors of the Founding Few. The first of the Nightguard, the Founding Few were 100 space marines hand picked from amongst the ranks of the legions who prosecuted the Qarith campaign by Icarion and Alexandros. Often Terrans, these space marines were chosen for their skill at arms and their faith in the ideals of the Imperial Truth lending them a mental fortitude that most lacked. In addition to this strength of mind, a disproportionate numbet hailed from the XVth legion, their high strength of pariahs making their legion a fertile recruiting ground for the future Nightguard. Sworn to secrecy by the Emperor himself, these 100 marines became the first to say the words of the Nightguard's oath and the first to obliterate the colours of their own legion with the black paint of the Nightguard, a ritual that would later be known as "taking the black" and painting the unblinking eye of Terra where their own legion's sigil used to be. Taking up residence in the Tower of Vigilance and while other space marines have joined them in their eternal vigil, none command the respect of these original 100. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/320938-ia-the-nightguard/#findComment-4350864 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluntblade Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 How will the Towers function during the Crusade, given the Imperium's rate of expansion? I settled on my scattered Astartes joining the Nightguard at some stage; the question is when they do so. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/320938-ia-the-nightguard/#findComment-4373521 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sigismund229 Posted April 23, 2016 Author Share Posted April 23, 2016 The Towers are less towers and more like mini, hidden fortress monastries. The way they function is that the Nightguard reside their when they haven't got any deamon ass to be kicking with their psychic brethren keeping watch for any sign of a deamonic incursion anywhere around the EoT. When any deamonic incursion is detected, the Nightguard go and fight it and then purge anyone else who's seen it(astartes excepted but they're sworn to secrecy) or, if those individuals have sufficient strength of mind, then the Nightguard takes them back to their keep to be a serf. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/320938-ia-the-nightguard/#findComment-4373532 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nomus Sardauk Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 Mind-Wipes would probably be safer and more reliable when dealing with witness Astartes, can't break the oath if you can't remember what it is you weren't supposed to divulge. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/320938-ia-the-nightguard/#findComment-4373576 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluntblade Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 I'd rather not have Astartes getting mind-wiped. I'd still keep wiping for the general population, at least to begin with whilst former Scions, Bears etc are represented in the hierarchy. Despite all the other things I should be doing (although the Grave Stalkers piece is coming along), I've gone and written a postscript to the Insurrection set in one of the Towers, drawing heavily on Sim's "I remember" piece. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/320938-ia-the-nightguard/#findComment-4373589 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nomus Sardauk Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 Mind-Wipes don't have to full-on amnesia deals, I think they can wipe specific lengths of time from a person's memory, like a day or so. I remember a fluff segment in one of the GK Codices where after falling into a trap left by Ahriman the GK and the Subjagators Chapter come to the agreement that the Subjagators all undergo mind-wipes so as to prevent any daemonic taint from the incursion Ahriman's trap triggered. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/320938-ia-the-nightguard/#findComment-4373621 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluntblade Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 That sounds alright to me. Aesthetically, what do our boys in black have to distinguish them from the Deathwatch? I know they won't be present here, but it'd be nice to have some differences. I was thinking black and gold, but then there's a certain other canonverse army that uses those colours. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/320938-ia-the-nightguard/#findComment-4373629 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sigismund229 Posted April 23, 2016 Author Share Posted April 23, 2016 Well first off the Nightguard are more similair to the Dark Angels than the Deathwatch in that they go in for the whole robes, censers, burning candles etc. Their symbol is a single unblinking eye(think Eye of Horus) rather than that of their original legion. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/320938-ia-the-nightguard/#findComment-4373771 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikhalLeNoir Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 It is kinda sad, that they wear all black. Now that you mention them as dark angels type, I would find white with black robes very interesting as color scheme Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/320938-ia-the-nightguard/#findComment-4373790 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nomus Sardauk Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 I dunno, I kinda liked them having the black & silver DW scheme, but with the ornate design & mystic edge of the Grey Knights. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/320938-ia-the-nightguard/#findComment-4373849 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelborn Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 Then why not doing white armor with black robes? Reminds me of the Deathwing and we all know: Deathwing = badass Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/320938-ia-the-nightguard/#findComment-4373856 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sigismund229 Posted April 23, 2016 Author Share Posted April 23, 2016 Vote? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/320938-ia-the-nightguard/#findComment-4373892 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluntblade Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 I was thinking knightly stuff with black and silver- perhaps with midnight blue or real dark purple just to vary things a little- although I suggest that our scattered warriors who join (a BotL within the BotL, if you like) retain their old gear, with the colours altered. Just one thing- is it feasible to give them different helmets to the DA? I'm definitely picturing Nightguard Nux in something like the one on the cover of Dark Souls 3. Though I like the idea of Khârn with a DA winged helmet, just as a throwback to his canon silhouette. Apart from Odyssalas, do we have any other candidates? Perhaps a survivor of the 3rd Wartribe's battle on Iyacrax? Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/320938-ia-the-nightguard/#findComment-4373935 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sigismund229 Posted April 23, 2016 Author Share Posted April 23, 2016 I was thinking knightly stuff with black and silver- perhaps with midnight blue or real dark purple just to vary things a little- although I suggest that our scattered warriors who join (a BotL within the BotL, if you like) retain their old gear, with the colours altered. Just one thing- is it feasible to give them different helmets to the DA? I'm definitely picturing Nightguard Nux in something like the one on the cover of Dark Souls 3. Though I like the idea of Khârn with a DA winged helmet, just as a throwback to his canon silhouette. Apart from Odyssalas, do we have any other candidates? Perhaps a survivor of the 3rd Wartribe's battle on Iyacrax? Of course it's possible for a helm to be different to the DA! The armour itself, in my mind, resembled that of the GK it's just the stuff that they wear on top.of it resembles what the DA use. Also, I have a slight concern about these characters. They can wash up at the NG sure but in order to join they need to forget their past lives except for their skill at arms. Completely so that memories from it and grudges can't interfere with their duty as a member of the Nightguard Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/320938-ia-the-nightguard/#findComment-4373944 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluntblade Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 If that's the case, I'd rather they all ended up somewhere else entirely. We'd be nullifying all their character development up to that point. I mean, just imagine if Loken had his memory wiped before becoming Knights Errant. That glorious "up yer :cuss:" to Horus wouldn't work at all. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/320938-ia-the-nightguard/#findComment-4373955 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sigismund229 Posted April 23, 2016 Author Share Posted April 23, 2016 They dom't have their memories wiped otherwose the act loses all meaning. But they do need to repress all emotions or memories they have and not let it influence them. In effect, to them those past memories need to feep like the memories of another person or of a past life that has no influence on their actions now. For example, they are listed as KIA upon joining and they take a new name. So if you wanted, Nightguard Nux could, upon meeting Raktra, suddenly experiences a resurgance of feelings of disgust, hate, anger etc. but manages to conquer them and stay true to his vows. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/320938-ia-the-nightguard/#findComment-4373958 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluntblade Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 I'd say the experiences they've endured up until then would probably qualify them in any case. And honestly, I don't see how hating Raktra on a personal level would really interfere with fighting him. I'm leaning towards our boys simply become a small, more autonomous part of the Nightguard at the close of the Insurrection. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/320938-ia-the-nightguard/#findComment-4373960 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelborn Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 What about the character I recently had in mind as a XXI primarch? An anti-chaos champion fighting against chaos to redeem his curse. Could be a loner within the Nightguard. Someone who can scout enemy territory, etc. Would make sense for him to join the Nightguard as he got nowhere else to go. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/320938-ia-the-nightguard/#findComment-4373965 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sigismund229 Posted April 23, 2016 Author Share Posted April 23, 2016 It might cause him to make impulsive or rash decisions without taking the wider battle into account in an attempt to kill Raktra Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/320938-ia-the-nightguard/#findComment-4373966 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluntblade Posted April 23, 2016 Share Posted April 23, 2016 He's seen one of his idols on the receiving end of the Grinder. I was thinking our knights would only get involved in that fight when it becomes clear that Hec and Gwalchavad are struggling Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/320938-ia-the-nightguard/#findComment-4373968 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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