[IRON GAUNTLET] Ouroborus Perdition - Two IA's

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Index Astartes: Black Ronin
"I’ll give you the answer to the question “What is most important to the heart of the Emperor?” The answer is, “To desire with one’s very soul every second of every day to accomplish His aim.”"

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Origins of the Black Ronin

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reated during the sixth founding of the Adeptus Astartes, the Black Ronin have earned a reputation as courageous and just guardians of the Imperium in the millennia since their inception. The Adeptus Mechanicus birthed the nascent Chapter from the gene-legacy of the Iron Snakes, and it is said that extra care was taken when selecting the progenoid glands. No risk was taken for there assignment would be of the upmost importance. Some within the Adepts Mechanicus have made unverifiable claims that many usable progenoid glands were dispossed of in the effort to create the purest chapter possible.

Founded to defend the Ouroborus stars from those that seek to harness its energy to the detriment of the Imperium. The Ouroborus stars consist of three Rubidium based white dwarfs stuck in a equilibrium state with one another, constantly tearing material from one another. The intrinsic forces between them breaks the universes rule of motion, creating negative mass. While the Mechanicus has so far failed to harness such energy, it was determined that the enemies of the Imperium could not be allowed to try. For if they did, the fate of the universe would lie in the balance.

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Chapter Badge'

The Chapter's first Master was an Iron Snake by the name of Pheus. He was known to his men as 'the Blademaster', and was possessed with extraordinary skill and talent with the sword, an expert in using his blade to defend the Imperium from those that seek to tear it down. When given command of the nascent Chapter, he bestowed the name 'Black Ronin' upon it, inspired by the events that unfolded upon Otera during the Horus Heresy. Hoping the name would inspire the same sacrifice and honour in his warriors.

During one of the darkest parts of the Horus Heresy, Praetor Setesh of the XVth Legion, one of Magnus’ highest military officials was ordered to occupy the planet Otera, where they were tasked with locating the Kawari Kabuto Helm, a mighty artefact capable to turning the tide of the great events that were unfolding around them, an artefact Ahriman himself had narrowed down to the planet. Setesh’s secondary objective was to unravel the Ouroborus stars, and to determine the likelihood that they could be harnessed.

Forty Seven Blackshields'

Planetary governor Asano Naganori, the Daimyo of the Planet was assigned in name only to assist the Praetor in any way possible. The meagre gifts Asano Naganori had presented did very little to soften Setesh presence in his lands. Asano Naganori had become deeply insulted by this but what was he to do, for he could not stand up to the might of these imposing giants clad in impenetrable armour, and capable of turning rock into dust with just their hands. No matter Asano Naganori’s approach, Setesh remained un-cooperative and scornful of Asano Naganori's manners.

On the day Setesh learned that Asano Naganori was the only inhabitant to know of the whereabouts of the ancient helm they seeked, Asano Naganori only response to being asked where they were to find it was "You should have found out long ago, I am too busy to help you now."

With his pride and his patience goaded beyond endurance, Setesh drew his sword in anger, lashing out and scaring Asano Naganori across his face before he restrained himself. For the crime of withholding information Asano Naganori was condemned to torture before being executing. However before Asano Naganori was able to be tortured, he enacted seppuku, or ritual suicide. That very day he forfeited his life, in belief it would be saving billions.

Whispers and gossip quickly carried the news of Asano Naganori’s death and the great sacrifice he had made for the Emperor. The situation was serious. Not only was their governor dead, but his lands and holdings were overrun and controlled by the fifteenth legion. The local inhabitants had lost all hope of this nightmare ending, with the little of what remained being in the prayers that the emperor would deliver them from evil. There prayers were not long answered.
 

An Imperial vessel carrying Legionnaires still loyal to the Emperor crash landed on the planet. Setesh redeployed some of his troops under his command from searching for the artefact to intercept the threat these new arrivals posed.

Giants clad in adamantium, scorched in fire, these soldiers loyal to the Emperor were outgunned, outnumber, and out positioned. There arrival at first seemed nothing more than arriving for their death. While many perished a small group managed to survive thanks to the bravery a handful of natives acting upon the honour and death of Asano Naganori.

 

Their survival drastically improved when news came through that the XVth legion was to withdraw and redeploy. While a blessing in disguise, from that news it was clear that Setesh had found the Helm and was preparing to deliver it right into the hands of Magnus himself.

 

This is where the remaining survivors of the crash, all forty seven of them prepared to lay down their lives to continue to give what remained of the Imperium a fighting chance to survive and repel the traitors they once called brothers. As snow sifted down on the evening before Setesh’s departure, the forty-seven Legionairres clad in armour as black as smoke met outside Tengu, then Oteras capital, and prepared for their attack. With information gathered from the native servants and artisans that had spied on Setesh.

 

Setesh garrisoned inside the Ninna-ji temple, the largest in the city. The black marines made their way through the city under the cover of darkness. Encountering very little resistance, the made their way up the temple until they finally made it to Setesh’s chamber. The marines clad in black made light work of Seteshs personal guard waiting outside his room. Inside Setesh unprepared to face any challenger in combat was still no easy challenge. One blackshield stepped forward and bought his sword down upon him for him to only parry it away with his strength and speed. The dual raged on between these two wrecking the room and destroying what would be now priceless relics. It was only when the two were held even with their blades was the Black Legionnaire able to grab Asano Naganori’s seppuku blade with their free hand and slice Seteshs throat. The Tyrant of Otera was slain.

 

By the time of Setesh’s timely demise, Legionnaires under his command had organised and begun to repel the assault. Knowing there was no way of survival forty six Legionairres prepared to lay down their lives so one of their own could make it out of the city with the Helm, and hide it somewhere no one could possibly find it. It is said that one Legionnaire walked for thousands of miles to defend the Imperium. The XVth legion never found the surviving blackshield, nor the helm but it was not long without an established command, they received orders to leave. No Legionnaire loyal to Horus ever stepped foot on Otera ever again.

Asano Naganori's Seppuku'

 

 

 

 

Homeworld

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tera, homeworld of the Black Ronin is classified as a μ or feudal world in the Ouroborus system of the Ultima Segmentum. A small and impoverished world the primitive human population live on and cultivate small hilly areas. Upon the founding of the Black Ronin, the Oterans had only just begun to utilise black powder weaponry.

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Otera'

Otera’s settlements are surrounded by a sea of forests that are home to terrifying Wyrms. These beasts frequently descend upon and raze these villages to the ground. As a result Otera's feudal nobility is heavily militarised. The warrior nobility that rules the planet have remained firmly traditionalist and prefer to engage in combat with their finely crafted curved, single-edged blades with a circular or squared guard and long grip to accommodate two hands. In fact many of the elders’ tales spoke of great soldiers slaying the Wyrms with those very blades. What they knew though is that these Wyrms were nothing in comparison to the Wyrms that roam the Scorch.

Otera was located in Orbit around the Ouroborus stars. The Ouroborus stars are three Rubidium based white dwarfs stuck in a equilibrium state with one another, constantly tearing material from one another. The extreme gravitational energy being constantly released between them as long since prevented Otera from spinning on its Axis. Unlike its dark side, which is covered in vibrant forests, and snow-capped mountains, the side of the planet constantly exposed to the Ouroborus stars would be classified as a Death World, rightly referred to as the Scorch. An Arid landscape with sun baked earth, and no living organism apart from the Mighty Fire Wyrms.

The Ronins Fortress Monastery Tengu is built on top of and into the largest mountain on the planet; a stratovolcano that on a clear day can be seen from across the entire planet. For the natives Tengu’s mountain is the third and final holy mountain. Upon being selected to join the Ronin, an initiate’s very first test before they may enter the hallowed halls of the Ronin, one must climb the mountain.

 

Records suggest that Otera has only ever raised one regiment for the Astra Militarium. The 1st Oteran Light Infantry Regiment, known as the Ashigaru for there light of foot. The data banks on Terra reference only one campaign the regiment was involved in, the Coral Heights campaign. The Light Infantry managed to climb the mountainous passes on Ghof to secure a foothold for the siege regiments to use as a platform before the final assault. It is assumed that after the succesful reclaiming of Coral Heights for the Imperium, the 1st Oteran's were folded into another regiment.

Tithe'

 

 

Recruitment

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ew Black Ronin initiates are recruited from the warrior nobility of the native humans on Otera. Apothecaries wonder from Tengu from time to time to immerse themselves amongst the inhabitants of their feudal world. Challenging the nobles children sword duels. Invariably, of course, the gene-enhanced Ronin will emerge victorious. Those that display the virtues of the Black Ronin will be taken as their prize, back to the halls of Tengu; a great honour for the nobles of Otera. As a sign of respect between the Oterans and the Ronin, the young noble shall present their sword as gift out of respect between the bond they already share. From there they will undertake the many gruelling trials to become an Astartes.

The Apothecaries keep an ever vigilant and watchful eye over Otera, for if a native was to ever slay a Wyrm, the Ronin shall descend to collect the warrior, and deliver him from death by giving him the chance to serve the chapter.

Once an initiate has passed all of the preliminary trials, and prior to starting hypnotherapy as part of their transformation into a weapon of the Emperor, they are required to undertake the Test of Honour. If they return to Tengu successful, they are accepted into the ranks of the Black Ronin with open arms, and the remaining procedures are undergone to turn the recruit into a fully-fledged warrior of the Emperor.

The Test of Honour is is a unique undetaking by Black Ronin initiates. With their family sword returned to them having been reinforced by the Chapters artificers, they a thrown into the wilderness of Otera tasked with saving a village from a deadly Wyrm. To defeat the Wyrm the Black Ronin believe at their stage of transformation they must display the five qualities; loyalty, courage, veracity, compassion, and honour. How an Initiate slays the Wyrm is entirely individual, some inspire a cohort of Ashigaru to assist them, whilst some are inspired by feats of great martial prowess. Whatever happens the Apothecaries are always watching. Those that slay the Wyrm without exhibiting the qualities, are assigned to the tenth clan to become the chapters scouts.

Test of Honour'

 

Battlefield Doctrine

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lack Ronin have continued in the style of their first SeiiTaisho, preferring close combat over ranged warfare. This is further emphasised by the fanaticism of the Aonisaibushi, whose righteous ferver makes them impulsive and headstrong^.

When making war, the Ronin will focus on one of two forms of combat. The first is orbital assault; where the Clan will use its drop pods and Thunderhawk gunships to perform a mass-landing in the wake of a heavy orbital bombardment. If resistance is still strong after this, the Ronin will land their heavy armour and launch an armoured spearhead against the weakest link in the enemy's defensive line, using a multitude of Land Raider patterns.

As part of their dedication to the Emperor and their mission, the Black Ronin swear fell oaths of faith and protection. Before a battle, it is considered customary to renew one of these oaths, the particular vow serving as a focus on the particular aspect of their duties considered to be necessary to ensure success^.

The Chapter's armoury was noted to consist mostly of older-style suits of Power Armor and weaponary, a majority of which has proven particularly difficult to identify. What can be said is that each piece is increbibly ornate, the Ronin claimed they rivalled the works of art produced by the Salamanders chapter. Some reports even spoke of some nobles on Otera possessing a suit of armour worn by one of the original forty seven blackshields in the hope that one day one of their family will be selected to join the ranks of the Astartes and don their ancient heirloom.

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Kawari Kabuto Helm '

Chapter Organisation

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he Black Ronin have a unique structure that is notably different from a standard Codex Chapter. Rather than 10 companies of 100 marines, the Ronin consist of 10 Clans of varying strengths. Each Clan is based in Tengu, the Ronin’s Fortress-monastery and is led by a Daimyo, who answers only to the Seii Taisho.

Each Clan is a fully self-contained army, with all the troops, vehicles and equipment necessary to make war, as well as the spacecraft necessary to transport itself. They each have their own forges and customs. The size of each Clan is unknown but the Black Ronin is said to be one of the smaller Astartes chapters. As each Clan serves as an independent army, they maintain a much greater number of troops as opposed to codex companies.
Each Clan is made of a number of Space Marine squads just as it is laid out in the codex. However, their tactical usage varies greatly. Each squad is unique in that it rarely, if ever, will receive reinforcements, making the higher-level squads smaller in number compared to the lowest Aonisaibushi pack. Many Aonisaibushi squads could start with as many as fifteen marines. However, losses take their toll, and by the time a Aonisaibushi squad reaches the level of Chukanbushi, normally only 9 or 10 are left. This promotion is arguably the most important the Ronin will ever receive because it also welcomes him into the folds of the Brotherhood. As they age, further losses limit the squad sizes of Seieibushi down to just five or less.
Special cases may be made in certain or even dire circumstances to this process. In some situations reinforcements may be sent to current campaigns as reinforcements. Likewise, if a Daimyo deems an individual worthy and the rest of his squad is not he may elevate a an Astartes from Aonisaibushi to Chukanbushi. Normally he will not act in such manner without consulting both his first sergeant and the current members of the unit he wishes to transfer his prospect to.

Apart from this, a Ronin may find himself under direction of a Kodenbushi or a member of the Seii Taisho’s household. Some find themselves inducted into the Chapter Priesthood, Scouts, Calvaries, or should terrible wounds take their toll they may find themselves encased within mighty Dreadnought armour.

One of the ten Clans is that of the Seii Taisho, the Black Ronin’s Chapter Master. When the former Seii Taisho dies the new Master of the Chapter is selected from the other nine remaining Daimyo. Upon selection the new Seii Taisho, immediately embarks on retaking the Test of Honour, this time though, in the Scorch. Upon a successful return the new Seii Taisho’s Clan is expanded to include the household of the Chapter's, Librarians, Apothecaries, Scouts, Techmarines, Dreadnoughts, and Chapter Relics.

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Troop Types

Unlike a typical Codex Chapter, a Neophyte of the Ronin does not begin their service as a Scout.

• Aonisaibushi are Neophyte Ronin who have just finished their most basic training and initiation rites, including passing the Test of Honour. They receive armament similar to Assault Squads in other chapters – a close combat weapon and bolt pistol, but they do not normally use jump packs. Instead of being assigned to a single Clan, Aonisaibushi are instead assigned to any one of the Clans. Their role is to charge headlong into battle, expending their youthful enthusiasm for battle on the enemy and hopefully learning the lessons of war that will enable them to survive.

• Chukanbushi are comparable to Tactical Squad marines in other chapters and comprise the majority of any Clan. These are Aonisaibushi who have survived the trials on the field of battle, combat experience having made them less impulsive and thus less suited as a force of pure assault. In addition to their combat duties, the Chukanbushi’s role is to watch over the Aonisaibushi, reining in the worst of their reckless behaviour, and marking out those likely for advancement.

• Seieibushi are the personal retinue and bodyguard of the Daimyo commanding the Clan, roughly equivalent to the Veterans or Command Squad units used by other chapters. Seieibushi are often the most senior and experienced Ronin in the chapter, though a younger Ronin may win elevation to the Seieibushi by performing an act of exceptional valour. Seieibushi are often granted Terminator Honours, though they make less use of them than the Veterans of other chapters.

• The Ronin’s Scouts are Ronin that are recruited as neophyte’s who successfully pass the Test of Honour but yet to display the five qualities; loyalty, courage, veracity, compassion, and honour, needed to be a Black Ronin. As natural loners, they are ideally suited to work alone behind enemy lines for long periods of time. Ronin’s Scouts are not assigned to any of the Clans. They instead answer directly to the Seii Taisho and are under their sole command unless assigned to a Daimyo and his company on an as-needed basis.

Like everything having to do with the black Ronin, this hierarchy is not rigid; the Ronin value loyalty, courage, veracity, compassion, and honour, over seniority, and believe in advancing each warrior according to their merits.

Command Rank

• Seii Taisho: The Chapter Master of the Black Ronin, the Seii Taisho is chosen from among the Daimyo, and leads his own Clan. It is customary for the Seii Taisho to wield the bushikatagi, one of the finest blades in the Imperium, that has a shard of Saint Asano Naganori's Seppuko blade inlaid into the hilt. The final Seii Taisho is Sanada Yukimura who had held the position for only ten years.

• Daimyo: each Clan has a commander (equivalent to a Captain in other chapters), chosen from that clan’s Seieibushi. It is their duty to organise their Clan, which adopts that Daimyo's name and sigil, and often changes its battle tactics to reflect their personality and temperament.

Chapter Cult and Belief System

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he Black Ronin do not seem to venerate any Primarch above the others, giving their devotion solely to the Emperor; Providing no further evidence to the gene-seed heritage of the Iron Snakes, their founding chapter. The preservation of their core values; loyalty, courage, veracity, compassion, and honour, is the Chapters core belief. The Ronin’s devotion to these values over millenia has made them isolationists, scorning those who they believe are less pure or deviate from the Codex. When a brother of the chapter falls in battle, they will exhaust great lengths to retrieve the body, so that the lifetime of loyalty, courage, veracity, compassion, and honour, the brother has bestowed upon themselves and the chapter can be venerated and recorded by the chapters Chaplains. They are also staunch traditionalists and protectors of authority, and are quick to aid Imperial governors or cardinals faced with rebellion.

The Ronin are also strongly influenced by their unique history as guardians of the Ouroborus starsa and protectors of its human population. Pheus founded a culture based on striving for the common good, and the Ronin are proud to uphold these beliefs. Where other Space Marines are aloof, and sometimes contemptuous of the Imperium's "lesser" mortals, most Black Ronin are used to working closely with "ordinary" people on Otera and regard any human life, no matter how seemingly insignificant, as sacred and worthy of protection.They are also harshly intolerant when they encounter less altruistic behavior - greed, selfishness, corruption - on other planets in the Imperium.

[captionright=Seieibushi Hattori, Bearer of the Ancient Sashimono Yamaarashi']

Chukanbushi Takeda'

Gene-seed

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he Chapter is noted for the purity of geneseed tithes which is stems from their belief in the purity of the physical and of the spiritual. Partial records of an examination by the Inquisition and the Adeptus Mechanicus Biologis claimed a purity rate of over ninety percent. The only flagged raised was of a slightly underactive Cataelpsean Node. It could be for this reason why the eventual Seii Taisho Sanada Yukimura so easily succumbed to the manifestation of an Emperors aspect on their second Test of Honour after five days without rest.

 

Notable Engagements and History

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ver their long and illustrious existence the Black Ronin have bestowed great honour and respect upon themselves, the Adeptus Astartes, and the God Emperor himself.

Hive Fleet Rusalka

At the end of M38 the Black Ronin were called to protect the Scylla system, from Tyranid Hive Fleet Rusalka. The Scylla system consisting of numerous oceanic worlds vital to the supply of fish and fresh water for vast areas of the Imperium, their loss could prove fatal to billions of lives. Seii Taisho Hajime Masamune's Clan of the White Tiger along with Yasuke Hideyoshi's Clan of the Jade Dragon were dispatched to intercept and eradicate this Xenos threat. Hajime fatefully fell to the Tyranid threat, however Yasuke Hideyoshi would earn much honour to be annointed the Seii Taisho successor. Yasuke's killing blow fell on the sea bed of Sirens Prime, with orbital bombardment pushing the creatures to the sea bed, their brothers engaged the beasts in combat, before retreating and triggering the underwater volcano, incinerating the last of the Xenos threat.

Gothic War

With the twelfth black crusade being fought so close to their system, the Black Ronin could not help but become engulfed in the years of war Abaddon and plunged the Imperium into. They were tested to the limit when Abaddon ordered some of his commanders to attempt to harness the Ouroborus stars with that of a Blackstone Fortress. Fortunately for the Ronin the Blackstone Fortress never made it to them, for if they had, it would have found the full might of the Ronins fleet lying in wait among the wreckage of Abaddons fleets. The Ronin had deployed half of their chapter to boarding the foul ships, the battle was only won when Seii Taisho Yasuke decapitated Abaddons lieutenant with Bushikatagi in single combat. As the Black Ronin disembarked from the ships, they programmed the ships to fly directly into the centre of the Ouroborus stars, where any hope of salvage was lost as their gravitational forces, to this day continue to tear them apart.

 

Ouroborus Perdition

 

Mid M41 the Black Ronin were beseiged by the Night Vipers under the assumption of consorting with the demonic powers...................................................................................

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Index Astartes: Night Vipers
"The Snake will always bite back"

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Origins

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art of the disastrous twenty first founding of the Adeptus Astartes, very little is really known about the Night Vipers. The Vipers quickly established themselves as experts in void combat, and a notorious reputation for the manipulation of events, for the good of the galaxy.

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Chapter Badge'

The nascent chapters geneseed had been selected by the Adeptus Mechanicus to be the legacy of the Iron Snakes; Chosen for having the minutest flaws for repair. By the time the Night Vipers had begun to be created many of their fellow cursed chapters had already begun to show signs of gene-seed degradation. As such the Adeptus Mechanicus Biologis took extraordinary lengths in monitoring the nascent chapter in an effort to help avoid a similar fate. The Biologis took to stationing an orbital base above Kukulka to allow for extended monitoring and observation. This relationship could be the founding reason for some of the Vipers codex divergent habits and organisation. In return of their assistance, it is known of the Vipers confiscating ancient technology from those that pass through Kami’s space ports and gift it to the Biologis.

However as their fellow cursed chapters flaws began to unravel further and the Adeptus mechanic began to realise the full extent of the damage they had done. The Night Vipers geneseed samples remained at a remarkable level of purity. These were some of the darkest days in the Mechanicus and the Vipers offered a small glimer of hope.

Important records relating to this tumultuous event have long since been eradicated or lost within the labyrinthine bureaucracy of the Imperium, leaving behind only supposition and fevered assumption. Those few individuals aware of exactly what transpired during those dark days would seem unprepared to divulge their secrets or are long since dead. Whatever exactly occured, it is clear that the myopic focus upon genetic purity clouded the vision of the truth.

Little is known of the Chapter's first Master except that he was supposedly an Iron Snake and went by the name of Phalarius.  He was known by his men as 'the Viper', and his persona exemplified a fervent desire to be the saviour of the Imperium and a hero to the Emperor. When given command of the newly found Chapter, he bestowed the name 'Night Vipers' upon it, knowing their fight will be striking in and from the dark.

During the Vipers' first centuries of service, the Chapter had almost disappeared from the memory of the imperium. No engagements of note and numerous data files unexplainably expunged all across the galaxy. Apart from the regular monitoring of their geneseed, the chapter would have been considered to all purposes, lost.

Homeworld

K

ukulka, an Eta or hive world in the Gothic Sector, and centre of the Cacique system, the base of operations and recruitment for the Night Vipers of the Adeptus Astartes. Home to billions of lives, Kukulka also hosts a great many Freebooters, Rogue traders, Pirates, which pass through its orbiting space port

 

Upon the surface lay a great many hive cities tearing out of the scorched earth. Between which lay a swathe of unrelenting arid desert, very few dare attempt to cross, even fewer survive the ordeal. The Vipers maintain only one building on the surface of Kukulka, primarily for the sole purpose for recruitment as well as the training of the chapter’s apothecaries. Built in the middle of one of Kukulkas largest deserts, a thousand miles from any other sort of habitation, its towering steel walls can often be seen glinting in the distance. If you are not pressganged into service of the Vipers, the only true way of them noticing your potential as an Astartes would be to make the thousand mile trek across the desert to the steel monolith that scars the landscape.

 

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Kukulka'

 

Kukulka’s space station Kami a retro-fitted star fortress is one of the largest orbiting space ports in existence. On board all manner of items are available for purchase. All of this in overseen by Eleanor Guthrie the current head of the wealthiest black marketeering family in Kukulka, they claim in the Segmentum Obscuris. The Guthries are the chief fence and supplier for the many crews that dock upon Kami's ports. The Guthrie family has held this position since before the Vipers founding, and it is customary for those at the head of the family to continue to honour a pact between the governor and Night Vipers. The longer the Guthrie family has remained in power, the more beneficial the relationship has become, as such the Vipers continue to play a greater level involvement in the politics of the planet, anything to keep the Guthries in power. Due to its unique geopolitical landscape it is unique among the worlds under the protection of the Imperium, apart from Terra and Mars, that it is able to dominate over other planets in the system to the extent that it could be considered rule.

 

While the Vipers maintain a home world to all extents they are a fleet based chapter of the adeptus astartes. Their fortress monastery is the Battle Barge Cancun. Onboard they maintain a full ensemble of curatorial staff and the Librarium Sanctorum where the Chapter maintains its records of heroic deeds, lore of vanquished enemies, captured heretical knowledge, and the detailed information of every aspect of their intricate web of informants. It is said that the Librarium upon the Battle Barge is one of the largest repositories of information in the Imperium.

 

The Night Vipers take a greater than normal interest in their homeworld, and sectors politics. While most in the region of space do not operate on an entirely legal sense, the Vipers tolerate such behaviour for the benefits it provides for the Imperium

Sector Involvement'

 

Recruitment

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ecruitment for the Night Vipers comes from amongst the Freebooters, Rogue Traders, and Pirates that pass through Kami; Every single one expert in navigating the social political landscape that makes up Kukulka; An ideal upbringing for the Vipers code operati. The only way a surface dweller may become an initiate is to survive the thousand mile trek from the cities, through arid wastes and raging dust storms to reach the chapter's only structure to pierce the landscape, are given the chance to become an Initiate. A great trial for a people used to living in the dark depths of a hive city.

 

Ideally it is best to recruit from the diverse range of Freebooters, Rogue Traders, and Pirates just before the initiate reaches adolescence, in that way they are aware of the jostling but have yet to fully realise their own human desires.

 

 

Kukulka Freebooter'

 

Those ships known to the Vipers to provide regular initiates are often granted a letter of marque as well as greater degree of leniency to their actions and practises. The letter of marque is a unique way of collecting bounties in the local system. A ship carrying the letter will grant the carrier access to an exclusive bounty system that pays large credits in return for specific acquisitions. The opportunities this presents are unbound as the earnings of a privateer are significantly better than any of a soldier enlisted in the astra militarum. In this way it is common for pirates to have begun life as a privateer. It was not before they learn that the Vipers and the Gutheries are content in allowing you to go about your way with little in the way of rules. While other planetary governors learned the hard way that leniency is often exploited as a sign of weakness, you would be a braver soul than most to displease the Gutheries, or to insult the Vipers act of kindness as any more of a way for them to achieve their goals. They have eyes and ears everywhere. If you did happen to believe your treatment and favour as a sign of legitimacy, you would surely be put out of business never be allowed into Kukultha's sea ports thanks to the Gutherie's. The Arcadia the former ship of Captain Harlocke is docked on Kami as a reminder of what can happen if you cross the line. Captain Harlocke over a few decades had proven themselves as enterprising and successful; as a result they had been allowed to keep a greater percentage of their winnings. Until they decided they were going to not declare a few archotech acquisitions. Upon learning of their betrayal, the Gutheries banned them from docking anywhere in the system. Captain Harlocke risked everything trying to escape the influence of the gutheries, shipping out with little to no supplies or fuel. The ship was found floating in the empty vacuum of space with only one survivor on-board, a lowly ship hand that resorted to cannibalism to survive.

Battlefield Doctrine

 

T

he most common direct engagement with the Vipers comes in the vast vacuum of space. The Vipers have changed the tide of many of their battles through their naval superiority. As a fleet based chapter, the Vipers have become experts in naval combat. They are able to maneuver themselves into the most devastating positions, able to unleash the full fury of their broadsides, and slip away. Nearly all of their declared campaigns are focused around establishing orbital superiority, preceded by creating a blockade around the planet. This ensures nobody comes or goes without first meeting the big guns of the Viper's navy. Once a blockade has been established they will use their planet surface mode operati utilising their extensive web of agents to ensue rebellion, and sabotage. Supported by orbital bombardment to hit key enemy locations, creating opportunities for ground forces to come in and make short work of the remaining enemy forces.

 

The Vipers surface mode operati uses extensive preparations before any actual attack on a target begins, utilising the extensive web of contacts through the Rogue Traders, Freebooters, and Pirates that fly under their pseudo protection in order to weaken an enemy's resolve. Not only is an enemy attacked from every angle, but every attack is often coordinated to achieve the most destructive results. Many actions are planned to utilise and support local insurgency activity. These insurgents loyal to the emperor go to considerable effort to spread propaganda, perform sabotage, and carry out acts of unrest and rebellion, providing a distraction and weakening the enemy before the Vipers kill team strikes. Furthermore, reports have shown the Chapter to ally themselves with anti-imperial forces particularly Xenos.

 

The Chapter's armoury is noted to consist mostly of Mark IV suits of Power Armor and weaponry but they do not fight like any other Adeptus Astartes Chapter. They prefer to avoid direct combat, using subterfuge, infiltration, sabotage, and brainwashing to destroy their enemies as opposed to a simple attack. The very identities of their brothers are the subject of mystery. Their supposed identities are frequently aliases which are shared within squads, meaning the name and identity of one Viper marine could refer to many. Due to this habit of shared aliases, members of one squad often refer to themselves as part of a greater collective identity. When they do present themselves, the Night Vipers prefer to let their insurgents and supporting PDF absorb most of the combat while they wait for the decisive moment to strike or make their escape. The final overwhelming push by the massed forces of the Chapter at the precise moment the enemy is at its weakest from subterfuge they refer to as The Harrowing.

 

Chapter Organisation

 

W

hile the nominal fighting strength of the chapter is kept at the Codex-approved 1,000 marines, the Night Vipers do not appear to use the Codex's Company structure; instead seem to rigidly follow the structure of the Iron Snakes, basing their organisation around that of the simple 10-marine squad.

 

Each squad, named after its first-ever squad leader, is treated as an individual tactical formation held equal in placement in the line of battle with almost all of the other chapter units. Only those squads referred to as the Ahau are seen as elite, and even then the Ahau do not properly represent a pooling of veteran Marines. This is due to the way in which the Vipers field their new recruits. Neophytes, do not appear to take to the field solely as Scouts; instead they often seen fighting in preparation in becoming full Brothers. Casualty replacements in the Ahau are incorporated in the same way as in other squads, which means that the Ahau are just as likely to have new recruits in their ranks as they are to have hardened veteran marines. Of course, the recruits that are selected to a place in a Ahau squad are likely to be the best of their generation.

 

When a squad is completely wiped out, it is reconstituted under the original name, with its new squad-leader being promoted from the ranks of the elder and more veteran Battle-Brothers of the other squads. Each squad-leader is expected to eventually nominate a successor from within his squad, who will be chosen to accompany him to officer-level briefings and take over command in the event of his death. This Brother will likely remain tied to his squad until his own death; as such 'seconds' are not promoted out to command other squads. Each squad will also contain a standard-bearer, who fixes the squad colours to a special mounting upon his armour, and a pair of support weapon troopers. The Ahau squads also appear to customarily include both a marine trained in the use of a servo-arm and a Narthecium as one of their number, and such specialist Marines are a common feature of other squads as well. How the number of pseudo Techmarines came to be higher than that of a Codex chapter in the chapter caused great concern within the Inquisition, and Adeptus Mechanicus. However without any official audit and recall of the entire chapter fleets, this could only remain hearsay.

No single astartes leads the Night Vipers. Instead, the most revered warriors of the chapter sit on the Chapter Council, sometimes referred to as the Ghost Council. Those who sit on the Council are referred to as Lolo and the body has guided the Night Vipers successfully since its difficult inception. The council would be found aboard the Battle Barge Cancun, the fortress monastery of the chapter. Cancun and its supporting fleet are able to appear and go almost as if they evaporated out of thin air. Many theories have been formulated over this phenomenon. Whether it is a gift from the Adeptus Mechanicus from their close working relationship, or whether it is caused by a piece of technology confiscated off one of the traders operating out of Kami. All that can be said is that these are both reasonable explanations, and neither can be proven.

Chapter Council'

Apothecaries


Techmarines

Chapter Cult and Belief System

 

P

ersonal initiative and secrecy are qualities valued by the Vipers. Life on deck of a rogue trader, or freebooter ship ensures the Chapter’s recruits are strong willed, driven, and used to hardship. The chapter fosters a tolerance of the lawless in its recruits, regarding them as a necessary evil, to be used to better the Imperium and maintain the safety of the Emperor; they are to only be exterminated in extreme cases.

 

The threat to the Imperium is continuely so great the Vipers put themselves and their greatest prize – their assets – in harm’s way to battle the enemies of the Emperor. Much like the people on board Kami, the Vipers navigate the social political landscape to rid the Imperium of a greater taint. It is a thankless and lonely task, but it is undertaken willingly

 

The line of leniency is drawn when it comes to the Chaos powers, whole heartedly adhorred by the chapter for their warping touch. As far as they are concerned, it is unthinkable to allow oneself to stray that far into darkness.

Whilst some have called the Vipers overly cautious, cowardly, or bigoted, none can deny the results they achieve from their tasks. The Vipers have amalgamated and extensive array of influential allies that allow them to continue unmolested; some untraditional and radical Inquisitors have gone so far as to praise their actions, seeing their actions as those of the truly faithful.

 

The chapter has worked in concert with many elements of the Emperor's Imperium throughout its history. It is not uncommon for them to work alongside Inquisitors in concert militant cults in the Imperium such as the Redemptionists to create frenzied mobs and stir up hatred, intolerance and xenophobia amongst planetary populations. It has been noted by several Imperial observers that the Vipers have a greater than normal affinity to the Astropaths and those of the Navigator Gene than most Adeptus Astartes.

Gene-seed

N

otably tall and strong even for members of the Astartes. Years of rigorous gene-screening practices have inculcated an obsession for genetic purity within the Vipers. With the Adeptus Mechanicus Biologis frequently assisting the monitoring and screening process the Geneseed is surprisingly pure, considering the fate that befell their fellow cursed founding chapters. A slightly overactive Lyman’s Ear and the strange mutation that only allows its members to speak in a ghostly whisper are the only aspects that continue to bemuse the Biologis; considering the Iron Snakes do not suffer from the same defects, and the experiments on the geneseed during the founding did not involve those areas.

 

With thanks to the close working relationship of the Chapter and the Biologis the Vipers' Apothecaries demand absolute and total excellence in maintaining their overall purity. The Apothecarion ensures that only the strongest and healthiest of recruits are selected to become marines. The trials for neophytes are particularly stringent, and the Apothecaries take great care to ensure that the gene-seed does not develop any further flaws or mutate in any way. Progenoid glands extracted from dead marines may not be implanted if there is any suggestion that they may be tainted.

 

This unyielding thoroughness means that the Vipers replace losses at a slower rate than in most marine chapters; which explains the chapters’ reluctance to engage in direct combat and to continue with their codex divergent mode operati. It is unknown when or if the last time the Vipers were at full chapter strength. The Vipers contend, however, that they are more than a match for their foes.

 

Notable Members

L

ittle is known of the inner workings of the Night Vipers and the personal it possess'

Eanraig Lael

 

The only known member of the Chapter Council, and considered the sole representative. As you come to expect from the Night Vipers, very little is known of Lael, except he is one of the surface dwellers on Kukulka. He made the trek across the planets arid in a record time, surviving all the hardships the desert sands could throw at him.

 

Notable Engagements and History

O

ver their long and notorious existence the Night Vipers have sowed much fear in the enemies of the Emperor. 

Craftworld Ard-Iadanna

 

Mid M39 the Night Vipers were engaged in a protracted naval campaign against the Eldar of Craftworld Ard-Iadanna. They were every bit a match for one another. The Eldar were finally broken orbiting the Witcher moon. The Eldar had been drawn their with information of the Vipers fleet docking for vital repairs. When they arrived the Vipers fleet was lying in wait. Once the Eldar fleet had reached its breaking point, the Night Vipers committed their queen, Cancun. With its Stealth like technology, it materialised in the middle of the Eldar fleet delivering pin point accuracy broadsides, decimating everything around it. After that without a fleet to protect her, Craftworld Ard-Iadanna was easy pickings.

 

Ouroborus Perdition

 

At the end of M41 the Night Vipers began a campaign to ride the Ouroborus stars of the Black Ronin. The Vipers learned of Seii Taisho Senada Yukimura's pact with the deamons. This very act could destabilise the entire sector, and allow the Ouroborus stars to fall into the wrong hands.......


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So let me begin, that this will most likely never be complete, I am not a good enough writer, and do not have enough knowledge of the Astartes to make it work. That said, the idea has got my creative juices going, and I need to put it down.

In short this is the tale of the damnation of two loyalist chapters, with an underlying sub plot of Tzeentch and Alpha Legion

The Two Chapters are named

• Black Ronin
• Night Vipers

So far I have written out a timeline of events, starting from the Horus Heresy

• Otera a feudal world (drawing similarities to 15^th century Japan)
• A chapter of ‘Z’ Legion based on Otera
• ‘Z’ Chapter sides with Horus
• Epic story entailing the account of how 47 Blackshields save population.
• Many years pass
• Otera is selected to home a successor chapter from the Iron Snakes gene seed during the 6^th Founding
• 21^st Founding
• The Night Vipers Chapter creation is approved. Chapter creation is started towards the end of the 21st founding
• Alpha Legion hijack geneseed ship and replace them for their own
• Iron Snakes assigned as training cadre
• Iron Snakes training cadre is ambushed on route by Alpha Legion.
• Alpha Legion impersonate training cadre. First Chapter Master seemingly unaware of being recruited directly out of the ...... scions.
• While other cursed founding chapters begin to fall apart, Night Vipers remain at 100% purity
• Iron Snakes learn that the training cadre was destroyed, disowning the night vipers as any successor of theirs; In their investigation, they learn and become concerned of the Night Vipers mode operati. And report them to the Inquisition.
• The Night Vipers view the disownment as a direct insult to their very existence, in response they begin embedding sleeper recruits into known Iron Snakes successor chapters recruitment. In order to find evidence of their founding. One such chapter being the Black Ronin.
• The Black Ronin’s new Chapter Master Sanada Yukimura discovers the Kawari Kabuto Helm, an ancient helmet. Upon donning it, Sanada is overcome with aspect of the Emperors Manifest. In it the aspect promises the Ronin the greatest mounts his warriors could ever ride. From that moment the great Foo Dog statues that ceremonially guarded their Fortress Monastary came to life. The most veteran brothers were allowed to ride atop of them into battle.
• The Vipers learning of this most demonic event, and traitorous actions from their agents. Vow to eradicate the Ronin in the name of the emperor.
• Conflict breaks out between the two chapters
• Eventually the Vipers prevail, seemingly because the Inquisition appeared powerless to stop such a conflict in the Ronins sub sector
• In the aftermath, it comes to light that the Vipers have been infiltrating other chapters, and are deemed excommunicate traitoris, with their homeworld and the neighbouring planets they play a major role in assigned for Exterminatus

So I am going to begin by filling in parts of the IA for the two chapters, just to flesh them out a little bit. Then begin by trying to write the story of the 47 Ronin. As it it ground zero for the entire story.

Food for though regarding the 40k 47 Ronin story are
1. What Legion was it?
2. Should the Legion even be named
3. The Ronin should be clearly blackshields?
4. Finally, why were the Legion there?

My first thoughts are
1. Thousand Sons
2. Yes ^
3. Also Yes
4. Looking for the ancient Kawari Kabuto Helm artifact

Why well by being Thousand Sons and the artifact used later in the story, it draws a tenuous link between Tzeentch and the Aspect of the Emperors Manifest. Similar to the Soul Drinkers story line

Would love to hear your thoughts

[Bjorn Firewalker]

This is an extremely ambitious storyline. Like all products of such ambition, the results can only be one of two things: a magnificent triumph or an utter disaster, with no middle ground in-between. Extreme care is necessary to make this a success.

 

The 47 Ronin's Chapter of origin is best kept vague. I wouldn't be surprised if multiple First Founding Chapters claim the Ronin are their brothers, while certain Inquisitors harbor the suspicion the Ronin were loyalists in the Traitor Legions- but with the passage of time, there's no evidence to confirm the truth.

 

The Alpha Legion has demonstrated the ability to infiltrate other Space Marine Chapters, corrupting them from within (though I feel this power is abused in Games Workshop's works, making them an Emperor-damned Mary Sue); but for the Night Vipers to embed sleeper agents into other Space Marine Chapters, strains credibility. Other readers will dismiss the Night Vipers as Mary Sues, unless you have godlike writing skills. If they do use such Alpha Legion-like abilities, wouldn't the Alpha Legions subliminal programming have already taken control of the Night Vipers, making the latter Alpha Legionnaires in full?

[Minigiant]

This is an extremely ambitious storyline. Like all products of such ambition, the results can only be one of two things: a magnificent triumph or an utter disaster, with no middle ground in-between. Extreme care is necessary to make this a success.

 

May the god Emperor help me

 

The 47 Ronin's Chapter of origin is best kept vague. I wouldn't be surprised if multiple First Founding Chapters claim the Ronin are their brothers, while certain Inquisitors harbor the suspicion the Ronin were loyalists in the Traitor Legions- but with the passage of time, there's no evidence to confirm the truth.

 

As soon as you said that, I thought, this person is RIGHT. I can name the Legion occupying the planet, but the origin of the Blackshields should be left unknown. As they wont be founding the chapter physically, just spiritually, that can work.

 

The Alpha Legion has demonstrated the ability to infiltrate other Space Marine Chapters, corrupting them from within (though I feel this power is abused in Games Workshop's works, making them an Emperor-damned Mary Sue); but for the Night Vipers to embed sleeper agents into other Space Marine Chapters, strains credibility. Other readers will dismiss the Night Vipers as Mary Sues, unless you have godlike writing skills. If they do use such Alpha Legion-like abilities, wouldn't the Alpha Legions subliminal programming have already taken control of the Night Vipers, making the latter Alpha Legionnaires in full?

 

I dont plan on corrupting them, rather creating them to use the imperial war machine. Examples; 1) the Vipers are in a region of space that directly affects one of the Alpha Legions rival warbands. 2) Create a safe haven in Imperial space for Alpha Legion operatives to move freely

 

Badass Spaz had a few good ideas that can help remove the Mary Sue feel. Then infiltrating other Iron Snakes successor chapters is an escalation

 

Okay lets no go over board here and ditch the idea entirely. The key premise behind the Alpha Legion is their secrecy and discretion, which you can easily capitalize on.

 

The idea that your Chapter instigates rebellions on different worlds is a beautiful idea you need to keep. You usually have Astarte's dropping down on Hive Cities, mauling the populace, and leaving. So this addition of subterfuge is an excellent on.

 

Another idea is to have your Chapter a bit more involved with the politics that transpire in the systems, sub-sector, or sector. The Astarte's themselves don't have to be directly involved but agents, akin to Alpha Legion cultists, could play the middle man. This allows them to have a better understanding of what's actually transpiring instead of, again, dropping in and mauling everyone because Space Marines. This leaves your Space Marines free to focus on more immediate threats, like piracy and xeno's raids while keeping a firm set of eyes on those around them. The Hydra does have many heads... But I'm pretty sure you cleared that up in the description presented, but just in case I felt the need to elaborate a little more to jog your imagination.

 

Oh, and don't forget pirates... You could have certain pirates working in tangent with your Astarte's. This may appear counter-productive to the Imperium at large but the Alpha Legion looks towards the end goal. As such, pirates working under them could open a network of connection other Astarte's and Imperial forces might otherwise not have access to. These connections could eventually lead to cultists, xenos, or worse case; traitor marines.

 

You don't have to be identical to the Alpha Legion but me focused on securing information. Of course these are all idea's and food for thought but I really don't want you ditching the idea entirely.

 

[Minigiant]

See above

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[Minigiant]

See above

 

[Bjorn Firewalker]

When referring to the Emperor, the words "He", "Him", and "His" should be capitalized, the way they're capitalized when referring to the God in contemporary works of Christian literature."

[joschlumpf]

So let me begin, that this will most likely never be complete, I am not a good enough writer, and do not have enough knowledge of the Astartes to make it work. That said, the idea has got my creative juices going, and I need to put it down.

 

First of all, don´t say that, you can make it!

 

 

Now to the Chapter

 

Does  that mean every ten-man-squad has a techmarine and an apothecary with them or are they just normal brothers with basic knowledge about this subject and provide support on the easiest tasks (like starting a rhino or healing fleshwounds)?

 

You should also consider how they recruit. With them attacking loyalists and helping xenos it might be hard for them to have a fixed homeworld (inquisition sees everything :D)

[Minigiant]

Now to the Chapter

Does that mean every ten-man-squad has a techmarine and an apothecary with them or are they just normal brothers with basic knowledge about this subject and provide support on the easiest tasks (like starting a rhino or healing fleshwounds)?

You should also consider how they recruit. With them attacking loyalists and helping xenos it might be hard for them to have a fixed homeworld (inquisition sees everything )

Just normal brothers with a more advanced understanding of these things, though not as advanced as the marked specialists

The only loyalists they will be attacking is the Black Ronin. They have their range of informants within other loyalist elements, particularly IG Regiments.

As for working with Xenos, it is not uncommon t happen, while frowned upon. It is not not allowed

They will also be working with Pirates.

Between those two entities it creates a darker ambience to the chapter, that I hope removes the Mary Sue aspect the chapter on first impression may have had

[joschlumpf]

 

 

 

 

Just normal brothers with a more advanced understanding of these things, though not as advanced as the marked specialists

 

The only loyalists they will be attacking is the Black Ronin. They have their range of informants within other loyalist elements, particularly IG Regiments.

As for working with Xenos, it is not uncommon t happen, while frowned upon. It is not not allowed

They will also be working with Pirates.

 

Between those two entities it creates a darker ambience to the chapter, that I hope removes the Mary Sue aspect the chapter on first impression may have had

 

 

Thats a good idea, althought the mechanicum will scream XD

 

Nonetheless they attack loyalist, work with xenos and have informants on IG regiments. The inquisition is definitly interested in them and so it may be hard for the Vipers to maintain a single planet as home. It´s possible, that they had to fight against the Ordos to keep their home?

[Minigiant]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just normal brothers with a more advanced understanding of these things, though not as advanced as the marked specialists

 

The only loyalists they will be attacking is the Black Ronin. They have their range of informants within other loyalist elements, particularly IG Regiments.

As for working with Xenos, it is not uncommon t happen, while frowned upon. It is not not allowed

They will also be working with Pirates.

 

Between those two entities it creates a darker ambience to the chapter, that I hope removes the Mary Sue aspect the chapter on first impression may have had

 

Thats a good idea, althought the mechanicum will scream XD

 

Nonetheless they attack loyalist, work with xenos and have informants on IG regiments. The inquisition is definitly interested in them and so it may be hard for the Vipers to maintain a single planet as home. It´s possible, that they had to fight against the Ordos to keep their home?

Only if the Inquisition can find evidence ;) The evidence that leads to their destruction will come out fighting the Ronin

[Minigiant]

So Planet locations have been worked out

 

Black Ronin

Homeworld: Otera

Fortress Monastary: Tengu

Segmentum: Ultima Segmentum System: Ouroboros

 

Night Vipers

Homeworld: Kukulkan

Fortress Monastary: Cancun

Segmentum: Segmentum Obscurus Sector: Gothic

 

So both are in the north east corner of the Imperium. Will work on editing the new 8th edition map with their locations

[Minigiant]

Some progress regarding graphics. Also been working on my 47 Blackshields story AKA History of the Black Ronin

 

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu274/Minigiant/b2fb9e12-ada7-4d0e-b0a3-dc91061cc53d_zpslh7ahmnf.png

 

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu274/Minigiant/fc8b67b3-5d09-44f2-a8ed-35f870d9b342_zpszilkveat.png

 

http://i655.photobucket.com/albums/uu274/Minigiant/a92bac11-b408-4277-a972-beeb6e2424fb_zpsl5vsmruk.png

[Minigiant]

Today, the Black Ronins chapter organisaton. Will expand later on Dragonpriests, Scouts, Test of Honour, and the Scorch

 

Chapter Organisation

T

he Black Ronin have a unique structure that is notably different from a standard Codex Chapter. Rather than 10 companies of 100 marines, the Ronin consist of 10 Clans of varying strengths. Each Clan is based in Tengu, the Ronin’s Fortress-monastery and is led by a Daimyo, who answers only to the Shoga.

 

Each Clan is a fully self-contained army, with all the troops, vehicles and equipment necessary to make war, as well as the spacecraft necessary to transport itself. They each have their own forges and customs. The size of each Clan is unknown but the Black Ronin is said to be one of the smaller Astartes chapters. As each Clan serves as an independent army, they maintain a much greater number of troops as opposed to codex companies.

Each Clan is made of a number of Space Marine squads just as it is laid out in the codex. However, their tactical usage varies greatly. Each squad is unique in that it rarely, if ever, will receive reinforcements, making the higher-level squads smaller in number compared to the lowest Aonisaibushi pack. Many Aonisaibushi squads could start with as many as fifteen marines. However, losses take their toll, and by the time a Aonisaibushi squad reaches the level of Chukanbushi, normally only 9 or 10 are left. This promotion is arguably the most important the Ronin will ever receive because it also welcomes him into the folds of the Brotherhood. As they age, further losses limit the squad sizes of Seieibushi down to just five or less.

Special cases may be made in certain or even dire circumstances to this process. In some situations reinforcements may be sent to current campaigns as reinforcements. Likewise, if a Daimyo deems an individual worthy and the rest of his squad is not he may elevate a an Astartes from Aonisaibushi to Chukanbushi. Normally he will not act in such manner without consulting both his first sergeant and the current members of the unit he wishes to transfer his prospect to.

 

Apart from this, a Ronin may find himself under direction of a Kodenbushi or a member of the Shoga’s household. Some find themselves inducted into the Chapter Priesthood, Scouts, Calvaries, or should terrible wounds take their toll they may find themselves encased within mighty Dreadnought armour.

 

One of the ten Clans is that of the Shoga, the Black Ronin’s Chapter Master. When the former Shoga dies the new Master of the Chapter is selected from the other nine remaining Daimyo. Upon selection the new Shoga, immediately embarks on retaking the Test of Honour, this time though, in the Scorch. Upon a successful return the new Shoga’s Clan is expanded to include the household of the Chapter's Dragon priesthood, Scouts, Dreadnoughts, and Chapter Relics.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

The Ronins Chapter organization is interesting, but why is its Chapter Master titled "Shoga" instead of "Shogun"?

[Minigiant]

The Ronins Chapter organization is interesting, but why is its Chapter Master titled "Shoga" instead of "Shogun"?

 

the Organisation is similar to the Space Wolves, I feel it can be used to represent Samurai ranks well

 

I think the word Shogun is a bit too 'tongue in cheek', while the other Samurai/Japanese words are so uncommon its not so much

[Bjorn Firewalker]

The "gun" in "Shogun" means "military" (the "sho" means "general", as in the military rank). Before replacing the kanji (Chinese characters used in Japanese writing), you should decide what meaning you intend to give its replacement. "Ga" can mean "tooth" or "fang", and I'm sure there are other kanji with the same pronunciation you can use (which I can't tell you because I'm not a native Japanese speaker, I'm a native Chinese speaker who happens to be an otaku).

[Bjorn Firewalker]

As an alternative to "Shogun", how about "Seii Taisho", or "Great General who Conquers Barbarians"? (If you wish to know the meaning of the kanji, "sei" means "campaign", the following "i" means "barbarian", "tai" means "great", and "sho" means the military rank of "general".)

[Minigiant]

As an alternative to "Shogun", how about "Seii Taisho", or "Great General who Conquers Barbarians"? Note that "tai" means "great".

I like that, thank you

[Minigiant]

Troop Types

 

Unlike a typical Codex Chapter, a Neophyte of the Ronin does not begin their service as a Scout.

• Aonisaibushi are Neophyte Ronin who have just finished their most basic training and initiation rites, including passing the Test of Honour. They receive armament similar to Assault Squads in other chapters – a chainsword and bolt pistol, but they do not normally use jump packs. Instead of being assigned to a single Clan, Aonisaibushi are instead assigned to any one of the Clans. Their role is to charge headlong into battle, expending their youthful enthusiasm for battle on the enemy and hopefully learning the lessons of war that will enable them to survive.

• Chukanbushi are comparable to Tactical Squad marines in other chapters and comprise the majority of any Clan. These are Aonisaibushi who have survived the trials on the field of battle, combat experience having made them less impulsive and thus less suited as a force of pure assault. In addition to their combat duties, the Chukanbushi’s role is to watch over the Aonisaibushi, reining in the worst of their reckless behaviour, and marking out those likely for advancement.

• Seieibushi are the personal retinue and bodyguard of the Daimyo commanding the Clan, roughly equivalent to the Veterans or Command Squad units used by other chapters. Seieibushi are often the most senior and experienced Space Wolves in the chapter, though a younger Ronin may win elevation to the Seieibushi by performing an act of exceptional valour. Seieibushi are often granted Terminator Honours, though they make less use of them than the Veterans of other chapters.

• The Ronin’s Scouts are Ronin that are recruited as neophyte’s who successfully pass the Test of Honour but yet to display the five qualities; loyalty, courage, veracity, compassion, and honour, needed to be a Black Ronin. As natural loners, they are ideally suited to work alone behind enemy lines for long periods of time. Ronin’s Scouts are not assigned to any of the Great Companies. They instead answer directly to the Seii Taisho and are under their sole command unless assigned to a Daimyo and his company on an as-needed basis.

Like everything having to do with the black Ronin, this hierarchy is not rigid; the Ronin value loyalty, courage, veracity, compassion, and honour, over seniority, and believe in advancing each warrior according to their merits.

 

Command Rank

• Seii Taisho: The Chapter Master of the Black Ronin, the Seii Taisho is chosen from among the Daimyo, and leads his own Clan. The final Seii Taisho is Sanada Yukimura who had held the position for 600 years.

• Daimyo: each Clan has a commander (equivalent to a Captain in other chapters), chosen from that clan’s Seieibushi. It is their duty to organise their Clan, which adopts that Daimyo's name and sigil, and often changes its battle tactics to reflect their personality and temperament.

[Kelborn]

This is really ambitious and I like it thus far for several reasons:

 

- You're using of my favorite chapters, the Iron Snakes

- Samurai in space (my very first attempt of creating a chapter was a Samurai themed one as well)

- You're using my favorite Legion / chapter as a basement, the Space Wolves

- They are riding giant Foo Dog statues...crazy as hell, but I'm loving it ^^

- You're already using the new 8th edition galaxy map

- Your summaries look really good

 

So to clarify for myself: the Night Vipers are in fact a successor of the Alpha Legion without knowing it and they fight against the Black Ronins because they are indeed loyal? Or why is that exactly? I'm a bit confused about that. ^^

 

Maybe I've over read it, but will you make use of the 47 Ronin or some historical battles from the medieval Japan?

 

With all of the newly erupted warp storms in 8th edition, they could be separated from the wider galaxy, isolating them and leave them alone against each other.

 

Keep it up! :)

[Minigiant]

This is really ambitious and I like it thus far for several reasons:

 

- You're using of my favorite chapters, the Iron Snakes

- Samurai in space (my very first attempt of creating a chapter was a Samurai themed one as well)

- You're using my favorite Legion / chapter as a basement, the Space Wolves

- They are riding giant Foo Dog statues...crazy as hell, but I'm loving it ^^

- You're already using the new 8th edition galaxy map

- Your summaries look really good

 

I am glad you like it

 

 

So to clarify for myself: the Night Vipers are in fact a successor of the Alpha Legion without knowing it

 

Yep

 

 

and they fight against the Black Ronins because they are indeed loyal? Or why is that exactly? I'm a bit confused about that. ^^

 

 

They fight against the Black Ronin having learnt of their corruption. The Foo Dogs are in fact manifestations of daemons. The Ronin view them as a manifestation of the Emperors will (Similar to the Soul Drinkers story line)

 

Maybe I've over read it, but will you make use of the 47 Ronin or some historical battles from the medieval Japan?

 

I am adapting the 47 Ronin story to a Horus Heresy setting. The 47 Blackshields shall be the inspiration for the Black Ronins eventual founding. For a few reasons. I wanted them to be successors of the Iron Snakes. It leaves some ambiguity as to whether the Blackshields came from a Traitor Legion or not

[Minigiant]

Recruitment

N

ew Black Ronin initiates are recruited from the warrior nobility of the native humans on Otera. Apothecaries wonder from Tengu from time to time to immerse themselves amongst the inhabitants of their feudal world. Challenging the nobles children sword duels. Invariably, of course, the gene-enhanced Ronin will emerge victorious. Those that display the virtues of the Black Ronin will be taken as their prize, back to the halls of Tengu; a great honour for the nobles of Otera. From there they will undertake the many gruelling trials to become an Astartes.

 

The Apothecaries keep an ever vigilant and watchful eye over Otera, for if a native was to ever slay a Wyrm, the Ronin shall descend to collect the warrior, and deliver him from death by giving him the chance to serve the chapter.

 

Once an initiate has passed all of the preliminary trials, and prior to starting hypnotherapy as part of their transformation into a weapon of the Emperor, they are required to undertake the Test of Honour. If they return to Tengu successful, they are accepted into the ranks of the Black Ronin with open arms, and the remaining procedures are undergone to turn the recruit into a fully-fledged warrior of the Emperor.

[Minigiant]

The Test of Honour is is a unique undetaking by Black Ronin initiates. Gifted with only an Adamantium Katana, they a thrown into the wilderness of Otera tasked with saving a village from a deadly Wyrm. To defeat the Wyrm the Black Ronin believe at their stage of transformation they must display the five qualities; loyalty, courage, veracity, compassion, and honour. How an Initiate slays the Wyrm is entirely individual, some inspire a cohort of Ashigaru to assist them, whilst some are inspired by feats of great martial prowess. Whatever happens the Apothecaries are always watching. Those that slay the Wyrm without exhibiting the qualities, are assigned to the tenth clan to become the chapters scouts.

Test of Honour'

[Minigiant]

Black Ronin:

 

Gene-seed

 

T

he Chapter is noted for the purity of geneseed tithes which is stems from their belief in the purity of the physical and of the spiritual. Partial records of an examination by the Inquisition and the Adeptus Mechanicus Biologis claimed a purity rate of over ninety percent. The only flag raised was of a slightly underactive Cataelpsean Node. It could be for this reason why the eventual Seii Taisho Sanada Yukimura so easily succumbed to the manifestation of an Emperors aspect on their second Test of Honour after five days without rest.

 

 

Night Vipers: (Finally some work on them again)

 

Gene-seed

 

T

hroughout the Night Vipers monitoring, their Geneseed was surprisingly pure, considering the fate that befell their fellow cursed founding chapters. The Vipers are notably tall and strong even for members of the Astartes. The Night Vipers consistently displayed a tendency for personal initiative and secrecy. The only aspects to their geneseed that required further testing was the Lyman's Ear. Slightly overactive in their last and final examination by the Adeptus Mechanicus Biologis, as well as a a defect in their geneseed  that resulted in its members only being able to speak with a ghostly whisper.

[LancsHotpot90]

Great work so far, really looking forward to seeing more of this :)