Index Astartes: Star Wardens (WIP)

[InAction]

Index Astartes: Star Wardens

 

 

 

Origins

 

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he Star Wardens are a chapter of the Adeptus Astartes that can trace their lineage to that of the Eagle Warriors, and through them to the venerable Ultramarines. Their founding began in M37 when a company of the Eagles assigned to an Explorator fleet, led by a marine captain known as Theron Hawklight, re-discovered the harsh desert world of Delamar. Seeing a militant, grit-fueled populace fighting to survive against death and mutations, and what potential there was still to be found, Theron sent word to the High Lords of Terra imploring that they be brought back into the Imperial fold. Upon communing with the word of the God-Emperor, the High Lords agreed, cultivating the gene-stock of the Eagle Warriors as well as seconding Theron and his company veterans to the task of training the fledgling Astartes.

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Chapter Badge

 
The chapter was formally generated as part of the 23rd founding to not only replenish the ranks of the Adeputs Astartes following those fallen during the Abyssal Crusade, but also to safeguard the newly re-integrated area from encroaching xenos threats. With this task in mind, Theron Hawklight, newly-established chapter master, declared themselves to be the Star Wardens, forever charged with their sector's defense. Over millennia the chapter has further broadened to participate in expansionist efforts by allying with Explorator fleets and Rogue Traders to shepherd them through the dark unknown. Their favoring of mobile warfare while charging headlong into battle has led to a reputation of sometimes reckless action in the face of imminent death.
 
 
 

"First rule of combat? Last man standing is the one that shot first."

- Sergeant Lothaire; 1st Squad, 4th Company

 

 

Homeworld

 

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he Star Wardens hail from Delamar, a planet on the edge of an unstable region of of the Ultima Segmentum known to spacefarers as the Whistling Stars. According to Imperial records it was established as an agri-world dedicated to the production of an abundance of livestock and cattle traded across the width and breadth of the Imperium. However, a cataclysmic event occurred some time before M37 known as the 'Skyfall' a Space Hulk became caught in the planet's orbit and plummeted. Survey teams and experts believe that the hulk's sudden appearance was precipitated by the naturally chaotic nature of the area as the Stars' were a place where the skin of reality was stretched to its breaking point by seemingly unnatural forces. While on transit through the atmosphere, its drive system detonated and the resulting reaction ignited the air, scorching much of the planet surface.
Following this catastrophe, Delamar became a barren desert world, its verdant plains reduced to ash and dust. What few pockets of humanity that had managed to cling to life now found themselves beset by ravaging packs of mutants, born from the radioactive fallout. Those untainted by this corruption were forced to gather together and form communities in order to fend against these savage abominations. Having already a proud history of equestrian tradition from hunting large game and maintaining their fields, the vast majority of the populace became militarized with a focus on mounted combat.
 
Settlements are rather varied in origin and size, as well as being widely spread out from one another. With resources scarce, it is not uncommon for their to be violent disputes between territories. The scant few fertile lands that miraculously survived the planetary desolation had attracted many out on the frontier and were transformed into sources of major civilization. These fortified city-states see frequent trade of food and other commodities with those living outside in the barrens. A certain level of prestige is allotted to those fortunate or successful enough to buy access into these metropolises, and thus earns them a life of relative luxury as well as the enmity of many. Tales of such occurrences only serve to further encourage the desire for supplies and capital, resulting in a number of prospecting towns to develop.
 
Most common among them have been those looking to exploit water reserves buried deep below the surface while others focus their energies towards the discovery of new sources of adamantium. But perhaps the most unique are those settlements looking to profit from the remnants of Delamar's disaster. The wreckage of the Space Hulk lies scattered across the desert wastes, and when a fragment is discovered, it attracts numerous speculators eager to unearth it and strip it down for whatever scrap of value they can. The presence of these pieces has even gained the attention of adepts of the Mechanicum from neighboring Forgeworlds who travel to participate in these digs.
 
Hanging high above the planet is its moon of Augusta, where beneath its rocky terrain lies the fortress-monastery of the Star Wardens, the Watchtower. While on the surface there is only a large spire that pierces into the starlight, deep below is the chapter's most holy sanctum, wherein their companies train, take refuge, and honor the memory of those that have fallen in their chapel, the 'House of the Risen Sun'. It is here that the chaplains of the Reclusiam record and re-tell the history of the chapter, and oversee care of their venerable ancestors interred within dreadnoughts alongside their brother techmarines. The Watchtower is always prepared for when the chapter is to go to war strewn across the upper most layer lie hidden artillery batteries and hangar bays, with interceptors and gunships ready to be deployed for void combat. It is from here that the Wardens maintain the watch over their adopted homeworld, forever maintaining a heavy guard against any invaders.
 
Delamar persists as a world rife with struggle, where competition over ever-dwindling resources is encouraged and a people, beset by light and dark, death and corruption, that have adapted accordingly by being slow to forgive though quick on the draw.
 
 

Recruitment

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elamar's culture of armed conflict and scavenging resources out in the wastes has led to the formation of militia forces across the whole of the planet. Many of these groups are forever bound to guard certain protectorates, while those less organized parties take to journeying between settlements to hunt any and all mutations out on the frontier. It is not uncommon to find wayward children among these warriors; naive and impressionable they cling to them to fulfill some desire of revenge against a personal loss or out of a notion of noble duty. In any case it should come as no surprise to find that such youths that do not crumple when put under pressure of adversity attempt to acclimate to this environment of skirmish and strife. It is an effort to emulate their grim-faced heroes that they hope will be rewarded with joining their ranks, or perhaps even that of the Space Marines.

Delamaran Frontiersman

 
Recognizing this view the citizenry have towards them, the Star Wardens have only helped to further it along to foster potential aspirants. Fort towns and hunting parties are all observed by the Warden Chaplains, and though it is very rare occurrence, they will purposely approach their quarries. The keepers of their chapter's history, they will endeavor to regale the people with tales of their greatest champions, daring exploits and grueling campaigns, fanning the flames of the faithful and inspiring them to fight and die in the name of the Emperor. All the while, any youths among the populace will be carefully appraised for their suitability to join the Astartes. The Chaplains will provide the people with weaponry and basic equipment that can be traded or used to make their lives that bit more manageable. In exchange, those children that meet the Chaplains' stringent standards will be taken.
 
After this encounter, the potential aspirant's journey in becoming an astartes begins, as the Chaplain will instruct their young charge to take to the desert wastes with nothing but the most primitive of armament. Their course will be given thus clear the harsh winds and scorching heat, and make for the Great Divide, a massively long steep-sided canyon, carved by a great river that ran through the plains when Delamar was still in its prime. The path laid before them is a perilous one, many an aspirant before them having been laid low on this trek from fatigue, predatory fauna or even lone mutants skulking from the shadows. Those few dozen or so that manage to brave will find the canyon open into a massive gorge, and upon the other side their new home for their induction into the Wardens- the Defiance.
 
The Defiance is a garrison base constructed into the very rock-face of the gorge. The area is heavily fortified, with a number of weapon batteries built into ducts of the cliffside as well submerged runways for rapid transport deployment to the surface. It is here where the surviving aspirants will receive the first of their implantations to begin the process of becoming a space marine and undergo the first phase of their training under experienced sergeants as scouts. Many more grueling trials await them in their future, but over time those with the resilience and drive to proceed will be inducted as full astartes, given a place among their battle-brothers within the monastery hanging high above them.
 
 

Battlefield Doctrine

 

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he Star Wardens operate largely according to the tenants of the Codex Astartes, mainly as exemplified by that of their parent chapter the Eagle Warriors. Accordingly they have taken on some of their aspects of a fleet-based chapter and maintain a respectable number of ships. Most of their navy will be committed towards the protection of an allied fleet while in transit, whether they be of an explorator force or Rogue Trader dynasty. They maintain close ties with these forces, acting as an integrated battlegroup while shepherding them through the void, making for an effective bulwark against enemy attack.
 
On the ground the Wardens have taken to be a highly mobile force, specializing in lightning warfare and making use of attack bikes, Land Speeders, and other fast vehicles. The bike-mounted riders often make use of bolt pistols and other close-combat weapons to finish their enemies off after softening them up with ranged fire. Heavily-armored forces such as predator tanks and dreadnoughts will attack from afar while their fast-attacuk units outmaneuver their targets to strike at their weakest point.
 
 

Chapter Organization

 

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n near accordance with the Codex Astartes, the Star Wardens maintain ten companies, with one-hundred marines occupying each. The first consists of the Chapter's veterans, the most skilled warriors who have received additional training, particularly in the use of Terminator armor. The Chapter possesses only a couple dozen of these venerated suits of Terminator Armour, and these are worn by the greatest warriors in the chapter. When not in use they occupy positions of honor in the First Company's chapel. Should a Terminator fall, the techmarines will painstakingly repair the armor so that it may see battle again.
 
A unique aspect of the Wardens are its 'Gunslingers', specialist formations of the chapter's Vanguard Veterans. While all of the vanguard are highly skilled in close-quarters combat with a variety of specialized melee weapons, the marines of these squads take to battle dual-wielding bolt or plasma pistols. Every Gunslinger has trained extensively with their firearms, each one a crack shot, charging into the fray and slaying their foes with wild abandon amid the sounds of rapid bolter fire. The first company typically disperses to fight alongside the battle-companies, allowing the more experienced warriors to impart their wisdom to their brethren.
 
The second, third, fourth and fifth are the battle-companies, each with a mixture of tactical, devastator and assault squads, though all those have become extremely proficient in bolter drills by the time of their induction. With such a variety the battle-companies are highly flexible and tactically adaptable. Indeed, a typical force deployed by the Wardens will be centered around a single battle-company, supported by attached elements from the others.
 
The sixth and seventh companies consist mainly of reserve tactical squads, while the eighty and ninth are of reserve assault and devastators, respectively. The Reserve Companies often provide support of their brethren in the Battle-Companies, reinforcing battle lines, launching diversionary attacks or countering enemy assaults. In addition, the Marines of the Reserve Company can be transferred into the Battle-Companies to replace casualties sustained. The Wardens' tenth company, the scout company, is small when compared to other chapters of the Adeptus Astartes, mainly due to the chapter's extremely thorough recruitment processes. Much like the first company, the scouts almost never fight as one force. Instead they are assigned to the battle companies where they can gain experience alongside their elders.
 
One notable deviation from codex-standard is a practice that has developed as a means of maintaining new colonies established within the expanding territory of their sector. As it can take some time for an Imperial world to fully establish an institution such as the Adeptus Arbites, the marines of the reserve companies, often scouts still undergoing training, can be called upon by a planetary governor to help keep the peace on site or in response to some immediate crisis while critical developments are proceeding. It's seen as something of a very odd duty to be carried out by an Astartes, but through their interactions with the pioneers they help to instill faith and security that even at the furthest corners of known space that they are never far from the Emperor's light.

 

 

Techmarines

 

Like the majority of Space Marine chapters, the Wardens honor ancient pacts with the Adeptus Mechanicus that stretch back millennia to their very founding. Those among the Wardens with an affinity for technology are dispatched to Mars, where they are initiated into the Martian tech-cults. This is acknowledged as a necessary process - without the techmarines, the Adeptus Astartes would be left unable to tend to the machine spirits, to observe the rites that ensure continued operation of their wargear, or to repair damage taken on the field of battle. But the process comes at a lamentable price - the loss of battle-brothers to the worship of the Omnissiah.

The techmarines are mysterious and capricious, aloof and distant. Their inscrutable ways are not easily understood by most of the battle-brethren. However, the Star Wardens are perhaps better predisposed than most other chapters to this arrangement. From their numerous partnerships with explorator fleets, as well as neighboring Forgeworlds, they have maintained an amicable rapport with that of the sometimes alienating adepts. While they may not fully appreciate or understand the dictates of the Liber Mechanicus or those that follow them so rigidly, the techmarines are regarded with respect by the majority of their battle-brothers, especially for the tools that they provide them. Still they would rather keep their distance to better maintain their sacred tasks, seeking solace as artisan crafters working alongside the lobotomized servitors and the machine-spirits that inhabit the chapter's equipment.

 
Lone Rangers

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A Lone Ranger

 

Another major deviation from the codex, perhaps the most significant, lies in these solemn individuals. Even the most experienced squads will sometimes suffer such a great loss that only one survivor remains. Unlike other chapters where this survivor would be folded into another under strength squad, the Warden may instead choose to take up an oath of vengeance that will see them embark upon a life of autonomy and exile.
 
Out on the frontier, Delamaran natives tell tale of 'the Lone Ranger', an enigmatic figure that roams the desert wastes dispensing the Emperor's justice against the mutant and the heretic. Those squad survivors have taken to adopting the name of this legendary character not only as a sign of their heritage, but to emulate the same infamy. Once a Lone Ranger has taken the oath, he then prepares himself, both mentally and physically, for the personal journey that lies before them outside of the chapter sanctum. These pledges can vary in how they are carried out, many taking to carry out their personal crusades as lone agents, while others find their paths leading to take up a position within the ranks of the Deathwatch.
 

On the eve of battle, it is often a sight of great awe as Lone Rangers advance on the enemy, pistols in hand, their gazed fixed upon a single target that they will stop at nothing to put down. Many Lone Rangers do not fulfill their own self-prophecy and are inevitably slain in the process. Rarely though, a Lone Ranger will return victorious, carrying the head of the fallen enemy back to his captain. These unique individuals are almost certainly inducted into the first company, for such a feat to succeed is no small accomplishment indeed.
 
 

Chapter Cult and Belief System

 

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he Star Wardens maintain a chapter cult centered on honoring the memory of their ancestral brethren and legendary exploits surrounding them. Though while they show a healthy respect for their progenitor legion and Primarch, they show no preferential devotion, save that towards the Emperor himself. Despite this deviation, they place importance on the ideals of genetic purity, but does not relate to that of their gene-seed. Rather it is because of their homeworld's personal history with corruption and mutation that they pay such high regard to this personal tenant. It has put them sometimes at odds with other Astartes who have not had such fortunate circumstance regarding their lineage, but the strong sense of mutual brotherhood they keep has helped to prevent in-fighting among their cousins.
 
 

Gene-Seed

 

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uccessors of the Eagle Warriors chapter, the Star Wardens have a lineage drawn from that of the Thirteenth Legion, the Ultramarines. From their regular tithe donated to the Mechanicum, their gene-seed has shown to have remained largely pure with no developed mutations. However, because of their penchant for reckless action and short deliberations, including their deviations from the Codex Astartes, it has been called into question as to whether they may have developed some behavioral defects that have yet to be visibly identified.
 

Notable Battles

 

• Waaagh! Hellwakkah (ca. 099.M38) Early into the chapter's history, an Ork Waaagh! invaded an Imperial Mining World known as Huron III. Accompanied by their parent chapter, the Eagle Warriors, as well with support of the Tiger Claws, Theron Hawklight led three companies of the Star Wardens in a campaign against the greenskins. It proved a very taxing conflict, the orks having dug into the planet's mining facilities as bunkers and proliferation of Imperial heavy vehicles made for a surprisingly effective makeshift defense. Soon however it became clear what the true nature of this attack was as armored columns of xenos war machines soon began to march onto the battlefields. Warboss Hellwakkah was organizing his teams of Mekaniaks to convert Huron III into a massive manufactorum from which to stage an even greater Waaagh! Determined to put an end to the mad tyrant's plans of conquest, Theron formulated a plan of attack with his fellow commanders. With their mounted infantry dogging their encampments and operational centers, the Wardens drew the orks from out of hiding and into the waiting forces of their brother Astartes. Meanwhile, Theron and his honor guard took to infiltrating the head manufacturing facility to cripple its operations from within. It was then that they discovered Hellwakkah not out on the battlefield, but awaiting their arrival.

   

  The Ork warboss was a true menace, overpowering even the chapter's best with seeming ease. With precious little time left to them, Theron ordered his remaining brothers to finish their assigned task while he kept their daunting foe busy. In truth the battle was more a chase, as the Warden Chapter Master led the enraged Hellwakkah deeper and deeper into the complex's inner-workings, while his men within the honor guard prepared the explosives that would detonate the plant's promethium refineries. Their labor done, the guard vacated the compound and grimly, as they were ordered, activated the charges. Upon hearing the explosions, Hellwakkah paused realizing too late he'd been misled, while the battered and bloodied body of Theron Hawklight charged at the beast in a grapple, teetering the ork along a rusted gantry and sending both plummeting into the boiling pool below them. In the end, the loss of both the facility and their overlord was enough to render the ork forces into chaotic shambles, leaving them easily routed and vanquished under the combined might of all three chapters. Though it was a major victory for the Star Wardens, it was marked by a most heavy cost.

• The Damaras Rebellion (ca. 887.M41) In late M41, numerous uprisings began to erupt on Imperial worlds of the Damaras system. Beginning what first was thought to be a few rogue outcasts revolting upon Damaras Secundus quickly gave way as the traitors' ranks swelled with renegade guard regiments turning upon their allied detachments, pledging themselves to the favor of dark, thirsting gods. The taint of Chaos had come upon the stars of Damaras.

   

  Beset on all sides by heretics, Imperial command saw fit to reinforce the remaining loyalist forces keeping the horde at bay. Marines of the Aurora Chapter and Star Wardens were deployed to bring the system to compliance, but were met by ill fates when warp storms suddenly flared up within the Immaterium while en-route. A fraction of the chapters' combined detachments managed to make their destination from across the other side of the Warp, some months later and the insurgents having spread much further than what had been previous reported. While the support of the Astartes was enough to keep rebels from further breaking Imperial lines, they became more than aware of that it'd only be a matter of time that they'd be worn down by sheer weight of numbers, not while they were cut off from the remainder of their ships still lost in-transit.
  
  The turning point would come later when 3^rd Company Captain Gaetan Archambault made a proposal to the present commanding sergeants and officers to shatter the enemy warbands before they could do the same a tactical plan that was met with varying descriptions of absolutely suicidal. On the desert fields of Damaras Primus, gathered Astartes and Militarum, overseen by Epistolary Domaneke, stood their ground before the amassing warbands upon the horizon intent on raiding the primary Hive city. Just as the two forces began to clash, Gaetan enacted his gambit. From their strike cruiser's hanging above the planet, drop pods screamed downwards through the skies, most of which managed to survive the fire of anti-air batteries and strike deep into the rear guard of the enemy. Led by Gaetan himself, assault squads tore through the renegades in a bloody swath of righteous fury, ever pushing forward to meet with the defending squads at the front. Seeing the captain's first phase of his strategy a nominal success, Domaneke gave the signal for the Aurora Chapter's gathered mechanized divisions to move into position and prepare their volleys. Even as they fired upon massive groups of traitor guard and cultists that they were occupied with, even becoming caught up in the exploding ordnance of their cousins, the Wardens kept on their warpath. And it was their dogged determination in the face of their voluntary death-march that would see their Captain's efforts pay off, as those of the enemy that were not shot up, beaten down or pulped into explosive gore eventually broke rank and scattered. Gaetan, whom many were rather surprised to see still in one piece (or exasperated among the lead officers), strode through corpses in triumph.

   

  This victory would soon prove to be rather rewarding, not only in dealing a devastating blow against the traitors, but in particular for Captain Archambault. Having impressed the likes of the planetary governors, generals and the more junior officers of the marines, Gaetan soon found himself in primary command of the Imperial forces within the Damaras system. In a series of aggressive assaults, led by none other than the Wardens as acting spear tip, the renegades were pushed back further and made to lose ground across multiple fronts, eventually retreating to the world of Secundus from where the uprising had began. It was here that the last engagements of the campaign occurred, and the true orchestrators were discovered, namely a warband council of the Word Bearers legion. Though the corrupting heads had somehow managed to escape judgment, the same could not be said of their most loyal followers as they were put to bolter and chainsword. Though it was a significant loss of Imperial life and infrastructure, (the system is still in recovery, with Secundus having been sanctioned for Exterminatus) Gaetan's command of the campaign earned him much acclaim among allies and within the Chapter ranks after their companies made contact again with the remainder of their lost battle fleet. It's largely considered now that his victories won during the Damaras Campaign are what would eventually earn him the rank of Chapter Master of the Star Wardens almost a century later.

• The Crossroads Massacre (ca. 978.M41) On the Frontier World of Crossroads, elements of the Star Wardens' 7^th and scout companies deployed to oversee its development found themselves soon staring down an invasion of Tau forces looking to claim the planet as part of their empire. Word was quickly sent to Chapter Command, and in response a compliment of squads from the 3^rd and 7^th companies were deployed to support their brethren. The ensuing conflict carried on with neither Astartes or Tau gaining significant ground though Fire Warrior teams certainly were capable of out-gunning them from a far distance, the Wardens' mounted infantry and use of hit-and-run tactics proved effective in tearing open pockets within the defensive buffer made up by the Tau auxiliaries. Though equally matched, both sides began to suffer from gradual damage and losses, which left none prepared for when they awoke.

   

  From beneath the arid plains, a horde of Necron warriors broke to the surface and began to wade heavily into the already weakened units of the assembled Marine companies and Tau Cadre. The survivors of both factions from the initial attack were forced into retreat among now abandoned building settlements, communications with their respective forces cut-off by sudden atmospheric interference engineered by the Necrons. With the encroaching army of mechanical revenants slowly drawing near, the remaining squads of Astartes and Fire Warrior teams approached one another with a mutual desire for cooperation. In their final moments, the members of the Star Wardens re-armed and bolstered themselves to fight alongside the Tau in a last, defiant charge against the deathless horrors that would claim them all. By the time that ships of the chapter fleet arrived to investigate the sudden silence from their battle-brothers, they found only death waiting for them. An ensuing campaign followed to exterminate the remaining Necron presence on Crossroads before their tomb network could fully reactivate itself, and in the aftermath of which those battle companies that had touched down were left accept the cold reality that none of their brothers had seemed to survive. After collecting what little gene-seed could be salvaged from the fallen, the Star Wardens returned to the Watchtower on Augusta to commemorate and record the names of each brother lost in the House of the Risen Sun.

 

 

Notable Elements of the Star Wardens

 

Armory:

• Peacemaker - This master-crafted Ingram-pattern bolt pistol, manufactured by Charron the Widowmaker himself, was given to Gaetan Archambault prior to the Wardens' deployment in response to the insurrection taking place within the Damaras System. The weapon served admirably in the hands of the 3^rd Company Captain, particularly when he and his comrades confronted the puppet-masters responsible for the system's fall in the form of a Word Bearers council. While the Dark Apostles and warband lords made their escape, Gaetan and his team did battle with their elite guard, even felling a Chaos Terminator with a shot fired from his Ingram. Upon the conclusion of their many hard fought battles, Gaetan came to regard his sidearm as a symbol of the campaign, of the effort made and lives lost to reclaim Damaras for the Imperium. In recognition of that, he saw fit to give his weapon a name, "the Peacemaker".

Ingram-Pattern Bolter

During the investigation of the "Skyfall" Space Hulk fragments, Techmarine Ingram came across an ancient, fully intact STC file. Honoring his pact with the Mechanicus, the STC data was passed over into their possession. The result was a unique six-single-chamber bolt pistol pattern, capable of firing the larger heavy bolter rounds. In gratitude for their continued partnership, the Adepts granted the weapon, now designated as the "Ingram-Pattern", to the Star Wardens chapter. The weapon requires an extraordinary amount of materials to manufacture, as such only small quantities are produced. For a Warden to be presented with such a weapon they must have displayed incredible ballistic skills. The weapon only seeks to enhance these qualities, granting the wielder increased stopping power as well as a reliable speed.

 

"Such bravado, even when reduced to your last armament! Do you truly think you'll walk away from this sacred site alive? Do you really think that one such as I can be brought down with only six rounds?"
"No, I don't. Not when all I need is one."

- 3^rd Company Captain Gaetan Archambault to Word Bearers Terminator Razzaq

 

 

Heroes of the Chapter:

• Charron the Widowmaker - Master of the Forge
  The overseer of the Chapter Armory, Charron is known as the most senior of all Warden Techmarines. His arcane-scientific knowledge and accumulated experience on the battlefield placed him in the most ideal position to become the current Master of the Forge. A taciturn and morose bearing has put him at odds with many of his battle-brothers, but still maintains a level of authority and respect due to his position within chapter command. It is said that the weapons he has crafted and modified are of a particularly fatal persuasion, earning him the title of "the Widowmaker", though sources remain vague as whether that is the sole reason.

 

(WIP)

Edited December 30, 2017 by InAction

[Lysimachus]

Love the idea of a cowboy Chapter!

 

Perhaps a way to bring in the theme would be to focus on the idea of opening up new frontiers? The Imperium is constantly changing its borders, exploring and gaining new worlds (even as others are lost). Perhaps the Chapter could be closely tied with the pioneering Explorator/Rogue Trader fleets that venture into the unknown, maybe assigning their Battle Companies to protect various fleets?

[InAction]

A cowboy chapter would be awesome. What makes this civilised world ideal for recruits? May I suggest they have become highly militarised due to roaming packs of mutants that like to scalp them

 

Well I did have an idea that the chapter's primary enemies would be a gang of orks somewhere between feral and Snakebites just 'cause I like the idea of ork banditos. Would that fit?

 

Love the idea of a cowboy Chapter!

 

Perhaps a way to bring in the theme would be to focus on the idea of opening up new frontiers? The Imperium is constantly changing its borders, exploring and gaining new worlds (even as others are lost). Perhaps the Chapter could be closely tied with the pioneering Explorator/Rogue Trader fleets that venture into the unknown, maybe assigning their Battle Companies to protect various fleets?

 

I really like that idea - kind of disappointed that I didn't think of it first. With that ind mind, there ought to be a name befitting that purpose. Something like "the Pathfinders" or "Trailblazers", but actually 40k-sounding.

[Olis]

 

A cowboy chapter would be awesome. What makes this civilised world ideal for recruits? May I suggest they have become highly militarised due to roaming packs of mutants that like to scalp them

 

Well I did have an idea that the chapter's primary enemies would be a gang of orks somewhere between feral and Snakebites just 'cause I like the idea of ork banditos. Would that fit?

 

 

If you're planning on having those orks on their home planet, I'd advise otherwise. What Chapter would allow orks to infest their world and remain unchallenged? I know Rynn's World was invaded, though the Chapter fought that invasion vigorously.

 

Perhaps these feral orks are the remainder of a Waaagh! that had attempted to take their homeworld, only to be beaten and hunted down. The orks in question would be stragglers, remnants of a past battle, and likely to be exterminated at any opportunity. They'd have to use all of their kunnin' to stay at large on an astartes homeworld. Not even hiding in caves would save them.

 

I really like that idea - kind of disappointed that I didn't think of it first. With that ind mind, there ought to be a name befitting that purpose. Something like "the Pathfinders" or "Trailblazers", but actually 40k-sounding.

 

You'd need something a little more aggressive, I think. I'd suggest something like the Widowmakers (after the revolver). 

 

On a slightly different note, apparently a 'Belvidere' means a handsome man in cowboy slang (I'm assuming it's derived from the Italian 'Belvedere' for "beautiful sight"), according to a random website I've googled. Perhaps the natives of the homeworld might refer to their astartes masters with a word derived from this?

[InAction]

Yeah, nah, I didn't intend for a full warband, not on their homeworld anyway. More like just roaming gangs that harass the citizenry, but I like that idea a lot more, them being remnants of a larger force maybe from a nearby planet within the system of space that the chapter and the fleets they shepherd reside in.

 

I totally agree, there needs to be an appropriate name, something proper grimdark. I'd never heard that bit about the term - something to look into certainly. I did do a little looking into stuff relating to revolvers as you suggested and there's a number of Colt models named after snakes, (Cobra, Anaconda, Diamondback, Python). Maybe there's something there I can tap.

[Olis]

Yeah, nah, I didn't intend for a full warband, not on their homeworld anyway. More like just roaming gangs that harass the citizenry, but I like that idea a lot more, them being remnants of a larger force maybe from a nearby planet within the system of space that the chapter and the fleets they shepherd reside in.

 

I'd suggest alluding to the Orks coming from a quarantined area of space in the same sector, or an errant rok that happened to land on the homeworld. basically, don't make their origin too close to where the Chapter lives.

 

Also, speaking of homeworlds... do you have any idea for a name? It may be a bit trite but 'Colt' is an easy suggestion. I won't blame you for binning the idea, though. ^_^

 

I totally agree, there needs to be an appropriate name, something proper grimdark. I'd never heard that bit about the term - something to look into certainly. I did do a little looking into stuff relating to revolvers as you suggested and there's a number of Colt models named after snakes, (Cobra, Anaconda, Diamondback, Python). Maybe there's something there I can tap.

Don't take my word for that term, btw. It came from a random website that I'd never clapped eyes on before. Researching it may be a prudent move.

[Lysimachus]

Had another idea, one of the other key ideas of great westerns is the lone gunman, so how about saying that because the colonies set up by the pioneers are so new they haven't got many of the key features of your typical Imperial world yet, including Adeptus Arbites? So the Chapter takes it upon itself to preserve the law/maintain the peace and while the majority of its brethren are doing what a Chapter should be doing (fighting as a proper force), if a colony/settlement needs help they can appeal for a 'Lawman' to be sent?

 

Edit: Kinda like how the Iron Snakes send lone warriors to deal with smaller problems?

Edited May 19, 2017 by LySiMachus

[InAction]

I wasn't entirely hot at first to the name, but I can kind of see it almost working so putting it in the 'maybe' pile? I don't quite have a lot of ideas for planet names anyway outside of really cheesy stuff like 'Dustbowl' or 'Bounty'.

 

And believe it or not, that idea about them acting as lawmen was something I thought of too, I just kept quiet thinking I couldn't get away with it because it doesn't really fall under the duties of an astartes. But if others think it could work why not? It could be like something that falls towards the reserve companies, or for the scouts to cut their teeth into.

[InAction]

Well how about you make it part of a recruits initiation. They are handed a bolt pistol, and have to go do some "lawmening"

That could be part of it. Ideas I had were they'd undertake a grueling walkabout in the desert wastes in search of an indigenous equine species - basically huge, aggressive monster-horses that don't take crap. Their test would be to capture the creature and tame it, not a task to be taken lightly. When they return to the chapter stronghold, they undergo a ceremony in which they are then forever bound to their blood-steed.

[Lysimachus]

 

Well how about you make it part of a recruits initiation. They are handed a bolt pistol, and have to go do some "lawmening"

That could be part of it. Ideas I had were they'd undertake a grueling walkabout in the desert wastes in search of an indigenous equine species - basically huge, aggressive monster-horses that don't take crap. Their test would be to capture the creature and tame it, not a task to be taken lightly. When they return to the chapter stronghold, they undergo a ceremony in which they are then forever bound to their blood-steed.

Danger, Will Robinson, danger! :P

 

While you could take this road, (IMHO) it's definitely heading into over-theming territory. Cowboys ride horses, true, but Astartes ride bikes (if they don't stick to their own two feet). I know the Space Wolves have Thunderwolf Cav, but honestly, if the Wolfy-McWolf Wolf version SW were just somebodies fan Chapter rather than an official GW one, they'd probably get laughed out of the Internet...

 

Edit: To be fair, this may just be my personal feelings about Astartes riding stuff coming out! :D

Edited May 20, 2017 by LySiMachus

[Olis]

 

Well how about you make it part of a recruits initiation. They are handed a bolt pistol, and have to go do some "lawmening"

That could be part of it. Ideas I had were they'd undertake a grueling walkabout in the desert wastes in search of an indigenous equine species - basically huge, aggressive monster-horses that don't take crap. Their test would be to capture the creature and tame it, not a task to be taken lightly. When they return to the chapter stronghold, they undergo a ceremony in which they are then forever bound to their blood-steed.

 

In my opinion, I think taming a beast is not strictly relevant to figuring out who'd make a better space marine. Sure, it can get them killed but I'm of a similar opinion to LySiMachus - there's a reason modern militaries have gone from riding animals into battle and, instead, use vehicles - they are hardier and require much less supplies to keep in peak condition. Now, while it can be as simple as just writing in the hardiness and the survivability, I still have misgivings about having space marines riding animals into battle, for various reasons.

 

Firstly, marines are heavy. Very heavy. Making any suitable mount for them, genetically altered or otherwise, large. Almost unfeasibly large. Just look at the thunderwolf cavalry - those things are huge, larger than the usual bikes even. Second, they are animals, therefor they need to be trained to do as the rider wishes. It's all well and good the beasts having the intelligence and/or aggression to do the things that horses do, in the midst of 41st millennium carnage, but they will need to consider things like being able to behave during warp transit or being able to resist mind-assault from psykers.

 

Make no mistake, animals of any stripe are a wild card and will largely do what bikes already do. The question is, is it worth adding this to a Chapter purely for the theme? Honestly, I believe the answer to be no. Their role is already filled by mechanical creations and so would only be used, ultimately, as flavour. However, if handled well and written with tact and consideration, I'd not consider such a thing to be unreasonable. 

[InAction]

Eh, points taken. I had wanted to amend my previous statement that maybe it's more the scout company does because their mounts can take the weight and then it's really only something they do on their homeworld, but you're both probably right in that it might be a bit much.

 

I would like to incorporate something related, like using a horse head as their chapter icon. They could be the 'Raiders of Equis', named after their planet.

[Olis]

A horse-head icon would be interesting. Kinda like Knight-House Terryn?

[Kelborn]

The ferrari logo maybe?

 

We once considered a gunslinger / western legion for the BotL.

 

MikhalLeNoir was one of its creators. Maybe he got some additional ideas. :)

[Lysimachus]

Horse badge could definitely be cool, bonus points if you call the Chapter the Wild Stallions! (What number am I thinking of?)

[InAction]

A horse-head icon would be interesting. Kinda like Knight-House Terryn?

The ferrari logo maybe?

 

We once considered a gunslinger / western legion for the BotL.

 

MikhalLeNoir was one of its creators. Maybe he got some additional ideas. :)

Horse badge could definitely be cool, bonus points if you call the Chapter the Wild Stallions! (What number am I thinking of?)

69, dude!

 

But I'm glad others seem to like the idea too. Maybe give it a slight flow to its mane the put distance between the chapter and the Knight-house. 'Herald' comes up somewhat in chapter names, yeah? 'The Heralds of Equis" maybe?

 

I'll do some looking in on Mika's legion for ideas, thanks.

[Wargamer]

Maybe it's just me, but "Equis" makes me think of a Roman theme rather than a wild west theme. Maybe I just play too much Total War.

[Kelborn]

How about

 

Void RIders?

Imperial Marshals?

Sons of the Saber? (as an anecdote for Saber Rider and the Starsheriffs) or Sabel Riders?

Dune Riders?

Star Rangers?

 

or

 

Braving Sons? (yet another anectore; this time for Marshal Bravestar)

Edited May 20, 2017 by Kelborn

[Minigiant]

Void Riders or Black Riders?

 

Instead how about an agri world where they ride horses to herd cattle. Defend their herds from (Insert attackers). When they become an Astarte they swap their horses for bikes

[Wargamer]

"Marshals of [homeworld]" might work. Otherwise, out of the list I like Void Riders most.

 

I like the bike focus idea, though a unique spin would be to have the Chapter function as dragoons; they ride into battle on bikes, but dismount to fight as infantry when they get close, then mount back up to redeploy quickly. Not sure how you'd represent it on tabletop (you could assume your infantry squads have parked their bikes just off-board).

[InAction]

Maybe it's just me, but "Equis" makes me think of a Roman theme rather than a wild west theme. Maybe I just play too much Total War.

  

I can see what you mean, though isn't high gothic basically a lot of Latin anyways? And they're Ultramarine successors so that honestly might work in their favor.

 

How about

 

Void RIders?

Imperial Marshals?

Sons of the Saber? (as an anecdote for Saber Rider and the Starsheriffs) or Sabel Riders?

Dune Riders?

Star Rangers?

 

or

 

Braving Sons? (yet another anectore; this time for Marshal Bravestar)

 

I like the sound of 'Star Rangers'. (Even if it's a little MMPR/Sentai sounding.)

 

 

Void Riders or Black Riders?

Instead how about an agri world where they ride horses to herd cattle. Defend their herds from (Insert attackers). When they become an Astarte they swap their horses for bikes

I like that idea a lot too. These are some great suggestions, thank you.

[Conn Eremon]

Sometimes single-word Chapter names can be better, as there are some words that can just sound . . . off, when coupled with the usual gamut of adjectives tied to Chapters.

 

Might be a bit on the nose, but why not just the Rangers?

 

Taking the word at its most basic meanings, a body of armed men or even just those who range, fits in the same way as canon Chapters called the Executioners, the Marauders, the Destroyers, or the Invaders.

[InAction]

Sometimes single-word Chapter names can be better, as there are some words that can just sound . . . off, when coupled with the usual gamut of adjectives tied to Chapters.

 

Might be a bit on the nose, but why not just the Rangers?

 

Taking the word at its most basic meanings, a body of armed men or even just those who range, fits in the same way as canon Chapters called the Executioners, the Marauders, the Destroyers, or the Invaders.

That's a good suggestion too! Augh! I've so many good ideas, I can't decide! I'm back to square one - indefinite purgatory without a chapter!

 

Really though, thank you for the input. I had originally wanted to give it as a unique name for scouts, but I like Rangers as a chapter title too so maybe I don't need special titles.

[Conn Eremon]

Depending on presentation, individual titles might want to be avoided. They're one of the most basic acts of making your Chapter unique, and is very common to do, but it more often than not turns the organization section of the article into a boring list of titles.

 

Doesn't mean don't do it, I do it all the time, and it really does depend upon how the information is provided to the reader. Simply saying scouts are called rangers is boring, but if you write a quote that adds extra meaning to what the Chapter believes in or how it operates, and attribute the quote to Ranger-Sergeant John Wayne of the 10th company . . .

[InAction]

Okay, I think I've got an idea of some elements to focus on when I get a chance to actually write something. Just going to list them out for a general review:

 

-Later founding; successors of the Ultramarines

-Homeworld agri-planet of deserts and plains with focus on cattle and livestock

-Ranchers and frontiersmen defend against monstrous predators and scavenging mutants; aspirants drawn in from the strongest of these individuals

-Largely codex adherent, though with a focus on fast attack combat doctrines; possess many bikes

-Tied with explorator/rogue trader fleets for the purpose of Imperial expansion

-Reserve Marines take up law enforcement on new, pioneer worlds until arbites can be established; mainly taken up by scouts as a form of intiation rite

-Fended off Ork invasion of homeworld believed to have originated from a neighboring, quarantined sector; remaining few now hunted down as ravaging ferals

 

Thanks again to everyone for the suggestions and constructive criticism; keep it up, which I'm sure you will.