BotL - Monthly fluff challenge

[Nomus Sardauk]

Linshan could be a neat name. Essentially "Forest Mountain." I do like the idea of the assault marines training by jumping off of and boosting around steep mountainous terrain.

Oh heck yes, this is conjuring all sorts of images of Assault Marines & Dragonhawk Specialists (perhaps Linshan could be the home of the Dragonhawks?) performing Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon style exercises in the treetops, so awesome. :D

[simison]

Alright, I've tweaked the names. Anything else I should add, Drak?

[simison]

Two days until the new month and no candidates have been brought forth. If no one offers a suggestion, I'll pick what I think is the least developed Legion currently.

 

As a reminder, here is who has been given a month thus far:

July - Warriors of Peace

June - Grave Stalkers

May - Void Eagles

April - Dune Serpents

March - Steel Legion

 

So, five Legions handled. 

[~Drakzilla~]

Alright, I've tweaked the names. Anything else I should add, Drak?

Looks good to me, Sim. :)

 

As for next month...I'd like to see the Fire Keepers for the month of August. Just feels right.

[bluntblade]

I'm keen for Fire Keepers. From memory there's one elite that needs its banner written (Triakonta) and potentially some characters.

[Demus Ragnok]

 

Alright, I've tweaked the names. Anything else I should add, Drak?

Looks good to me, Sim. :)

As for next month...I'd like to see the Fire Keepers for the month of August. Just feels right.

Um yes.

[bluntblade]

Triakonta

The Triakonta were created in the image of Niklaas’ Obsailan bodyguard, chaged with felling the greatest of the monsters which might threaten their master. As such they were armed with huge axes crafted by Niklaas himself, and the Tactical Dreadnought Armour forged in the Corinthian pattern. Superlative warriors all, they were selected chiefly for their skill at close quarters, courage and ability to endure.

 

Often they came from the escalade cadres, having proven themselves time and again weathering the fury of desperate enemies. Others were champions noted for their victories over especially monstrous opponents. Deployed in tandem with the Maveshalak and with the Primarch leading them, it was said that no defender could hold in the face of such skilled and unrelenting warriors. However, such was the extent of their specialisation that only Chief Mykaal of Leucetios organised his bodyguard in the same manner, the rest preferring more versatile retainers.

[simison]

[Well, I think it's obvious that Fire Keepers will be next. Here will be my last contribution to the WoP.]

 

Lord Militant Jaacos Nürada was a controversial figure of the Imperial Army. Stationed in the outer reaches of Segmentum Obscurus, the lord militant was infamous for his insistence on using either genetically enhanced humans or mutated humans, abhumans. This peculiar emphasis on the quality of his troops based itself on a belief that the species Homo Sapiens was doomed to eventual extinction. Therefore Nürada pursued genetic experimentation in order to discover what he dubbed "Mankind's genetic destiny". This chosen path involved countless experiments with different strains of the human genome in the forges of war, constantly trying to codify and improve his regiments. 

 

Given his contentious beliefs, it had been probable that Nürada would have been a seldom-known figure were it not for one fact. The lord militant had achieved an almost unbroken strings of military successes to his name. Although no doubt an eccentric individual, Nürada's thorough knowledge of abhuman physiology and successful experimentation allowed him to utilize esoteric tactics that confounded and surprised his enemies. Furthermore, the lord militant's embrace of abhumans ensured a steady supply of said troops from other regiments and forces less willing to see their use, growing his forces to become one of the largest on the Northern Front of the Great Crusade. 

 

It was for these reasons that Nürada was invited to the Vizenko Prosecution, his expertise considered and weighed among the proceedings. Additionally, it was whispered, that the Jade General had arranged for the lord militant to be there. For Nürada's efforts had found great favor with the enigmatic lord of the Warriors of Peace, the two often sharing discoveries made in both the realms of science and war. This extended to joint campaigns between Nürada's regiments and the Jade General's Legions to test firsthand new hypotheses. Yet, it would not be enough to change the outcome of the Prosecution. 

 

Afterwards, Nürada was kept under watch by rivals within the Imperial Army in the guise of compliance with the Emperor's edict. Unable to continue his work, Nürada grew frustrated with the Imperium, further aggravated by suspicious denials of promotion that would have placed him in command of the entirety of Segmentum Obscurus. With the outbreak of the Insurrection, Nürada cast his lot with the Jade General, eager to throw off the Emperor's restrictions. Although he was one of the highest ranking officers to defect to the Traitor's cause, Icarion did not promote, instead choosing other officers over him.

 

It would only be after the creation of the Suzerainty would Nürada finally be promoted to Lord Commander at the Jade General's insistence. Unfortunately, Kozja ensured that the appointment was for Segmentum Obscurus which was under Imperium control and thus a ceremonial rank. 

Edited August 2, 2017 by simison

[simison]

Demus, is there anything in particular you're looking for...for this month?

[Demus Ragnok]

Demus, is there anything in particular you're looking for...for this month?

I really didn't have anything specific in mind.

[bluntblade]

Some fluffon the Ember Host's leader wouldn't be a bad idea.

[Demus Ragnok]

Some fluffon the Ember Host's leader wouldn't be a bad idea.

This is a good idea.

[bluntblade]

 

Hopefully I'll come up with something soon, but my brain's largely occupied with Lightning Bearers

[simison]

I'd like to tackle a part of the Legion identity itself. If I remember right, they're known for flame weapons and being siege specialists. There's also the anti-psyker bit.

 

I'll read through their thread today to generate some ideas.

[Sigismund229]

I imagine we might also need to expand on what differs the style of war used by the Fire Keepers from our other siege specialists, the Godslayers and Steel Legion

[bluntblade]

I suspect the Fire Keepers would incline towards "war upon the stone", while Godslayers would favour "war by our flesh", not to be confused with the Iron Warriors "we use our Flesh to make war upon the stone."

 

So the Fire Keepers engineer, they figure out how to reduce the enemy's bulwarks, while the Godslayers seek to win by virtue of their own endurance.

[Sigismund229]

I suspect the Fire Keepers would incline towards "war upon the stone", while Godslayers would favour "war by our flesh", not to be confused with the Iron Warriors "we use our Flesh to make war upon the stone."

 

So the Fire Keepers engineer, they figure out how to reduce the enemy's bulwarks, while the Godslayers seek to win by virtue of their own endurance.

That was my thinking

[simison]

So, after reading through the entire thread, I'm curious how different the tribes are from one another. Was thinking about doing a write-up for one of the smaller tribes.

Another idea is to do a box on the initiation process to become a Fire Keeper.

A third idea is to work on the Chaplaincy since that is another strong aspect of the Legion.

Any preferences, Demus?

Edited August 5, 2017 by simison

[Demus Ragnok]

I posted some updated info about the tribes in the Xth legion thread.

 

I had only one idea for initiation. A group of recruits find there way through a forest on a dark night, guided by a small light in the distance. The survivors find a small fire in a clearing and a chaplain that tells them there journey to the stars has only just begun.

 

For chaplains I'd be interested to see any ideas about the mysterious members of the Second Circle and what other legions think of the chaplain corps as a whole. I mean for every 100 FK legionnaires there is a chaplain so they are very common. So other legion can't help but interact with them.

[Sigismund229]

I posted some updated info about the tribes in the Xth legion thread.

 

I had only one idea for initiation. A group of recruits find there way through a forest on a dark night, guided by a small light in the distance. The survivors find a small fire in a clearing and a chaplain that tells them there journey to the stars has only just begun.

 

For chaplains I'd be interested to see any ideas about the mysterious members of the Second Circle and what other legions think of the chaplain corps as a whole. I mean for every 100 FK legionnaires there is a chaplain so they are very common. So other legion can't help but interact with them.

Do the chaplains enforce Niklaas' no psykers policy?

[Demus Ragnok]

 

I posted some updated info about the tribes in the Xth legion thread.

I had only one idea for initiation. A group of recruits find there way through a forest on a dark night, guided by a small light in the distance. The survivors find a small fire in a clearing and a chaplain that tells them there journey to the stars has only just begun.

For chaplains I'd be interested to see any ideas about the mysterious members of the Second Circle and what other legions think of the chaplain corps as a whole. I mean for every 100 FK legionnaires there is a chaplain so they are very common. So other legion can't help but interact with them.

 

Do the chaplains enforce Niklaas' no psykers policy?

Yes. Any recruit with psyker potential is culled.

[simison]

I posted some updated info about the tribes in the Xth legion thread.

 

I had only one idea for initiation. A group of recruits find there way through a forest on a dark night, guided by a small light in the distance. The survivors find a small fire in a clearing and a chaplain that tells them there journey to the stars has only just begun.

 

For chaplains I'd be interested to see any ideas about the mysterious members of the Second Circle and what other legions think of the chaplain corps as a whole. I mean for every 100 FK legionnaires there is a chaplain so they are very common. So other legion can't help but interact with them.

 

For the initiation idea, how about putting the light on top of a forest-covered mountain? Not only is the fire visible from below, but it adds another layer of difficulty for the recruits trying to become marines. It also adds symbolism as the recruits can be thought of as literally climbing toward the stars. If the environment is not hard enough, throw in some hostile fauna and flora to up the danger. 

 

Perhaps its time for a proper box about the origins of the first chaplains. The Chaplain Edict obviously spreads chaplains to each Legion, but there are a couple of Legions who establish their own chaplains before the Edict. I think the Halcyon Wardens' chaplains is the oldest order, but the Fire Keepers' chaplains are the most important ones since they have several levels of ranks. I think there's a third Legion that instituted chaplains before the Edict, the Eagle Warriors?

[bluntblade]

There should be beasts, assuming Niklaas didn't hunt them to extinction.

[Demus Ragnok]

There should be beasts, assuming Niklaas didn't hunt them to extinction.

Yes. Lots of beasties.

 

And a mountain.

[simison]

The Eagle Warriors are the third Legion to establish their own chaplains pre-Edict. I think that covers it. I'll take a whack at the FK chaplains redbox.

 

~~~

 

Keepers of the Flame

 

Although the Chaplaincy Edict was responsible for introducing the familiar skull-faced officers to the Legiones Astartes as a whole, several Legions had established chaplaincy corps long before the Prosecution. Unlike other Legions where the Librarius was charged with maintaining the traditions and histories of the Legion, the chaplains of the Eagle Warriors served as the keepers of the Legion's spirit. However, to outside observers, there was concern that these chaplains drew too much on the customs of Mexicatii Prime and not enough of the heritage of Terra. In contrast, the chaplains of the Halcyon Wardens were highly respected for their dutiful watch for their brothers' well-being. The one black mark were whispers of a secret duty hidden to all by the Warmaster's order no less. 

 

Regardless, there was no question that the chaplain order within the Fire Keepers towered above all others. While other chaplain orders contained at least two ranks, the lay member and the high chaplain, only the Fire Keeper order had five distinct ranks, organized within three Circles. By far, the most common are the members of the Third Circle. With one chaplain to serve every hundred Fire Keepers, the Third Circle hosts well over a thousand members and is the common chaplain that the greater Imperium interact with. For much of the Great Crusade, they were viewed as an oddity at best or suspicious at worst, especially in light of the Imperial Truth.

 

This was further aggravated by the Second Circle. Its existence was a spurious thing since so few of its members were seen in public, even though it was confirmed that any member of the Second Circle outranked even the highest rank of the Third Circle, the Reclusiarchs. Yet, despite wielding greater power, they were rarely seen on the battlefield. More confusing were their exact duties. Mixed responses from the X^th Legion muddied the truth as some would say the Second Circle was in charge of simply managing the Third Circle, while others whispered that they were no more than brutal enforcers of Niklaas' will. The fact that no rank is ascribed to any member of the Second Circle is further cause for uncertainty.

 

Contrary to the secretive Second Circle, the number and responsibilities of the First Circle were well known. In a mirror of the chaplaincy itself, the Third Circle was also divided into three. The Chaplain Sovereigns formed the lowest rank within the Third Circle. Above the Chaplain Sovereigns were the four Elders. The Elders' sole duty was to advise the High Chaplain, who stood at the top of the Fire Keepers' chaplaincy. 

 

Although every chaplain was a proven warrior, this was not the limit of their duties. While chaplains are historically considered to be concerned with the spirituality or morale of the Legion, the Fire Keeper chaplains stood out for how many responsibilities were under their purview. The Chaplain Sovereigns could and often did double as field officers, commanding siege wings seconded to other Legions. The four Elders were considered of equal rank to a Praetor in another Legion. The High Chaplain himself appeared to be second only to the Primarch Niklaas. Although Fire Keepers argued that the reality was more nuanced, it is without a doubt that the High Chaplain had consistent direct access to the Lord of the Fire Keepers, who in turn valued the High Chaplain's counsel. 

 

In addition to these unprecedented influence and power among the Fire Keeper chaplaincy was their legalistic training. Every Fire Keeper chaplain was versed in administration and law and were active in these matters in-between battles. Fulfilling their nicknames as the 'Judges', chaplains would divide their time between meditation and mediation between aggrieved parties. Nor was this limited to inter-Legion affairs. If a Legion serf, an Army trooper, or even a common citizen wished to pursue an issue of justice with a Fire Keeper, the Fire Keeper chaplains would not turn them away and were renowned for their impartiality to the point where other legal experts would seek their knowledge to better their own. 

 

Among their brother Legions, reactions ranged across a spectrum. By far, the most hostile response would come from the Berserkers of Uran, further aggravated by the Chaplain Edict. To the Berserkers, the chaplains represented nothing more than a tyrannical force whose duty was to delude and chain others. The Fire Keepers' chaplaincy earned additional scorn for their judicial work, which the Berserkers saw as a distraction from their purpose as weapons. Other Legions adversely affected by the Chaplain Edict tended to share a similar vexation toward the Fire Keeper chaplains, such as the Warriors of Peace, the Drowned and Warbringers. Ironically, due to differences in philosophy, the chaplains of the Eagle Warriors and Fire Keepers came to distrust each other and claimed the other had corrupted its purpose. 

 

Most Legions cared little for the chaplains, viewing them as an oddity. Only two Legions respected and admired the Fire Keeper's chaplaincy. The first were the Predators. In the chaplains, the Predators saw parallels to their own shamans on Mardum as keepers of the law and guarding the spirit. The second were the Halcyon Wardens, who's chaplains found much admire among their cousins in the X^th Legion. Often, chaplain candidates of the V^th Legion would seek out Fire Keeper units for their required inter-Legion experience.

Edited August 29, 2017 by simison