BotL - Monthly fluff challenge

[TheBlindPrimarch]

who were we doing this month again?

[simison]

Warbringers.

[bluntblade]

I'll chuck the War Disposition in after work

[simison]

A Matter of Honor

 

Even for the Legions who cared little for the origin and nature of their recruits, only a certain few would be able to survive the invasive and severe regime to transform a boy into a Space Marine. In addition to this universal difficulty in finding candidates who possess the necessary biological and mental framework to ascend, the Warbringers of the IX^th Legion would insist upon an additional layer of judgement to weed out "inferior stock". 

 

Honour was paramount to the Legion, and all recruits were required to observe and maintain it. This would lead to programs of instruction as aspirants were taught the various aspects of the unspoken martial code the Warbringers lived by. Those who failed to show proper deference to the code were quickly abandoned. This would lead to yet another hierarchy aspirants would be embroiled in, a preview of life within the Warbringers. 

 

Finally, intelligence would receive far more weight in measuring potential aspirants than in other Legions. For Kozja sought not to create a Legion of barbarians, but a Legion that could prevail in all fields of battle, from physical to mental. Many Warbringers would be learned in the sciences, administration, and other noble pursuits. 

 

All of these factors prevailed upon the Warbringers recruitment rate. To compensate, the Warbringers extended their efforts to every world they visited. In a rare few cases, aspirants would be taken from other worlds claimed by other Legions, leading to disputes within the Legiones Astartes. Always, the Warbringers claimed that they wished nothing more than to extend honour for those whom they deemed worthy and would only narrowly avert recriminations through questionable diplomacy.

Edited October 17, 2017 by simison

[bluntblade]

*would be able and regime, not machine. I'm wary of specifying that only a minority survive, I figured that was only the case with a few Legions. But if you are gonna go that route, I suggest you add the trials to the factors in Aspirant deaths.

[simison]

"...would be able and regime, not machine." What does this mean?

 

I thought it was always the case that only a minority of aspirants actually become marines, even if that minority is 49.9%?

[bluntblade]

I thought you meant only a minority surviving, rather than not succeeding.

 

You wanna swap "will" for "would" in that first sentence. "Implantation machine" doesn't make as much sense as "regime" or "procedures".

[bluntblade]

Command Hierarchy

Hierarchy within the IXth Legion was a baroque, labyrinthine thing, taking in not only command and specialist rank, but standing in the warrior societies integral to the Legion. These bodies began from similar roots to the lodges promoted to Alexandros, but in practice they were proundly different. Revolving around a particular martial discipline, they did not so much temporarily free an Astartes from the trappings of rank as immerse him in a different system of seniority. At the same time, while lodges might discreetly exert influence on the broader Legion, in the Warbringers this influence was uniquely overt. They had their own livery, worn openly, and their ranks were widely known and used as honorifics.

 

Often these were the deciding factor in a contest of authority, when officers of equal rank were assigned to the same action or campaign. Seniority was immutable to the Warbringers, leading to a system in which every warrior knew his place at all times. Titles and prestige won in battle were also significant, as was the reflected glory of a the commander whom an officer served under. Senior officers, and even some captains would also nominate successors to their command, creating a strong sense of personal obligation in their lieutenants.

 

Lineage of this sort took on a significance unseen in any other Legion, again reflected in their wargear. If an officer was killed or found he no longer required a weapon or an item of armour, it would be bestowed upon a worthy recipient. Consequently many officers bore a peculiar mix of armour marks, carefully modified by Legion artificiers to preserve and extend their usefulness. A few dozen of the Legion were said to possess weapons or armour components from the Solar conquests or earlier still, and these were the most prized of all.

 

Kozja’s authority was unquestioned, and throughout the Legion an officer might offer counsel to his direct superior, but never challenge him. So it was with the Pernach, a sextet of officers Kozja had personally chosen to advise him, and the Knyazi took this for their own use. These advisers would inevitably be warriors of high standing, chosen as often for their prominence among the Bogatyrs or Asklepians as their standard rank. Below these officers, the Knyazi and their Boyars, there were a plethora of lesser ranks, Voiavodes equivalent to centurions, senior and regular sergeants and finally the battle-brothers they commanded.

[Jagus Kumkani]

Legion Personality/Culture

The Warbringers possessed an unyielding personality as a Legion. In the matters of honor and respect, the warriors of the IXth held nothing higher. To other Legions in the Adeptus Astartes, the Warbringers seemed elitist. That was contrary to the culture of the Legion as a whole. The warriors of the IXth understood their purpose and their role as warriors and believed they should conduct themselves honorably in everything they did and were. They had been bred for nothing more, and took great pride in their status. Every Legionary had to earn the respect of his brothers through his dealings in Legion Culture and his prowess on the battlefield.

 

Ignoble behavior was never tolerated, even at its most menial levels. Whether this was disrespecting a Superior Officer, coming to blows with a fellow warrior, or disobeying an order the Culture demanded an offender be reprimanded. The stripping of honors was common or in severe cases; servitor conversion.

The Knyaz judges whether the dishonored warriors are redeemable; if they are, the offenders are all put into a specialist formation called the Skandales or The Damned.

Stripped of their honors, their armor painted black and thrown in front of Legion assaults wielding great-swords; literally fighting to earn their honor back. The only way to stand with the Legion again is to return alive from the Skandales. Those that do not survive their damnation are subject to being forgotten forever, their legacy stripped from the annals of the IXth Legion.
 

Edited October 19, 2017 by BreezyLamar

[bluntblade]

We can probably rework some of that into their Book entry, although I'm not sure Imperial scholars will deem them more honourable than the Halcyon Wardens, Scions and Iron Bears. Skal once told me his Legions began as an exercise in creating Lawful Evil Primarchs.

[TheBlindPrimarch]

couple basic questions...

-When a Warbringer is censured and they don the black, are they grouped up with similarly dishonored individuals or do they seek redemption in solitude?

-Who is responsible for determining if a Warbringer's deeds are enough to redeem them of their misdeeds.

-What happens is a Warbringer falls before he is able to redeem himself?

 

Also, would it make sense for a Warbringer to fight in a dual against one of the members of the traitor legion, and if he would, which legion would make the most sense for him to fight? Which legion would be most likely to either challenge or accept a challenge from the Warbringer?

Edited October 12, 2017 by TheBlindPrimarch

[simison]

[My first submission.]

 

A Matter of Honor

 

Even for the Legions who cared little for the origin and nature of their recruits, only a certain few would be able to survive the invasive and severe regime to transform a boy into a Space Marine. In addition to this universal difficulty in finding candidates who possess the necessary biological and mental framework to ascend, the Warbringers of the IX^th Legion would insist upon an additional layer of judgement to weed out "inferior stock". 

 

Honour was paramount to the Legion, and all recruits were required to observe and maintain it. This would lead to programs of instruction as aspirants were taught the various aspects of the unspoken martial code the Warbringers lived by. Those who failed to show proper deference to the code were quickly abandoned. This would lead to yet another hierarchy aspirants would be embroiled in, a preview of life within the Warbringers. 

 

Finally, intelligence would receive far more weight in measuring potential aspirants than in other Legions. For Kozja sought not to create a Legion of barbarians, but a Legion that could prevail in all fields of battle, from physical to mental. Many Warbringers would be learned in the sciences, administration, and other noble pursuits. 

 

All of these factors prevailed upon the Warbringers recruitment rate. To compensate, the Warbringers extended their efforts to every world they visited. In a rare few cases, aspirants would be taken from other worlds claimed by other Legions, leading to disputes within the Legiones Astartes. Always, the Warbringers claimed that they wished nothing more than to extend honour for those whom they deemed worthy and would only narrowly avert recriminations through questionable diplomacy.

[Jagus Kumkani]

couple basic questions...

-When a Warbringer is censured and they don the black, are they grouped up with similarly dishonored individuals or do they seek redemption in solitude?

-Who is responsible for determining if a Warbringer's deeds are enough to redeem them of their misdeeds.

-What happens is a Warbringer falls before he is able to redeem himself?

 

Also, would it make sense for a Warbringer to fight in a dual against one of the members of the traitor legion, and if he would, which legion would make the most sense for him to fight? Which legion would be most likely to either challenge or accept a challenge from the Warbringer?

Sorry for the late response, but I will consider these questions in my revision. Thanks for the CC.

[TheBlindPrimarch]

Lol, I'm sorry breezy, those questions weren't meant as c&c (though I am glad if they proved useful to you as such)...they were actual questions for reference for my piece. I'm having a little trouble grasping this Legion and I'm trying to figure them out.

[simison]

Lol, I'm sorry breezy, those questions weren't meant as c&c (though I am glad if they proved useful to you as such)...they were actual questions for reference for my piece. I'm having a little trouble grasping this Legion and I'm trying to figure them out.

 

I'll try to ask Skal, next time I see him. 

 

To everyone else, 10 days until the next month, so start considering who you want to write for next month. As a reminder, November will feature a non-Legion. 

 

We also need to pick our 5 judges for this month. I'd like them to be picked by the 28th. 

[TheBlindPrimarch]

Ten days, jeez...I hope you get a hold of Skal soon Simi...I'd like to get an entry in this month lol

[bluntblade]

Non-Legion factions to play with, then:

- Collegia Titanica

- Heredes

- Knight Houses

- Mechanicum sects

- Leonic Auxilia

- Daughters of Daer'dd

[Skalpynock]

couple basic questions...

-When a Warbringer is censured and they don the black, are they grouped up with similarly dishonored individuals or do they seek redemption in solitude?

-Who is responsible for determining if a Warbringer's deeds are enough to redeem them of their misdeeds.

-What happens is a Warbringer falls before he is able to redeem himself?

 

Also, would it make sense for a Warbringer to fight in a dual against one of the members of the traitor legion, and if he would, which legion would make the most sense for him to fight? Which legion would be most likely to either challenge or accept a challenge from the Warbringer?

 

This took me well too long to answer.

 

-The Dishonoured Ones are sent out to seek redemption on their own, as errant knights, though some informal groupings have been known in the legion's history.

 

-Redemption is decided by the legionary's commander, the echelon depending on the initial failure. For grave cases, the commander can convocate a Pernach, being a council of six advisors.

 

-Dishonoured Ones who fall before redemption are forgotten by the legion, their deeds forever unwritten.

 

-I'm not sure I understand the question correctly, but Warbringers have a nasty habit of applying their expectations when operating with other legions, creating some tension with more laid back legions. As far as accepting these duels go, Crimson Lions and Harbingers come as natural opponents, Fire Keepers, Wardens of Light, Halcyon Wardens, and Warriors of Peace wouldn't be surprising either. I can't imagine a Drowned or Void Eagle caring for such futilities.

[bluntblade]

Berserkers too. They'd be well up for splitting a golden helmet or two.

[simison]

Non-Legion factions to play with, then:

- Collegia Titanica

- Heredes

- Knight Houses

- Mechanicum sects

- Leonic Auxilia

- Daughters of Daer'dd

 

Good gravy, Blunt, just pick everything, why don't you? 

 

Collegia Titanic - Blunt

 

Vasalius Heredes - Blunt

 

Knight Houses - Blunt

 

Mechanicum Sects - Blunt

 

Leonic Auxilia - Blunt

 

Daughters of Daer'dd - Blunt

[bluntblade]

No no no, I was listing options I could think of

[bluntblade]

This isn't me committing, but I kinda fancy doing Cruciatus.

[TheBlindPrimarch]

I'm going to vote Heredes...but mostly because I want to see what people come up with.

[simison]

I was just messing with you Blunt. Still, you know I allow multiple votes for the Challenge.

 

Legio Cruciatus - Blunt

 

Heredes - Blind

[Jagus Kumkani]

 

couple basic questions...

-When a Warbringer is censured and they don the black, are they grouped up with similarly dishonored individuals or do they seek redemption in solitude?

-Who is responsible for determining if a Warbringer's deeds are enough to redeem them of their misdeeds.

-What happens is a Warbringer falls before he is able to redeem himself?

 

Also, would it make sense for a Warbringer to fight in a dual against one of the members of the traitor legion, and if he would, which legion would make the most sense for him to fight? Which legion would be most likely to either challenge or accept a challenge from the Warbringer?

 

This took me well too long to answer.

 

-The Dishonoured Ones are sent out to seek redemption on their own, as errant knights, though some informal groupings have been known in the legion's history.

 

-Redemption is decided by the legionary's commander, the echelon depending on the initial failure. For grave cases, the commander can convocate a Pernach, being a council of six advisors.

 

-Dishonoured Ones who fall before redemption are forgotten by the legion, their deeds forever unwritten.

 

-I'm not sure I understand the question correctly, but Warbringers have a nasty habit of applying their expectations when operating with other legions, creating some tension with more laid back legions. As far as accepting these duels go, Crimson Lions and Harbingers come as natural opponents, Fire Keepers, Wardens of Light, Halcyon Wardens, and Warriors of Peace wouldn't be surprising either. I can't imagine a Drowned or Void Eagle caring for such futilities.

 

Is this your final say about what I came up with in regards to your Legion?