Against the Dark: The Redemptors

[Commissar Molotov]

This is a Chapter concept which has existed for a while. I liked the idea of a Chapter forced to struggle to survive - warriors in patched-up battleplate, carrying weapons that have been salvaged or scavenged. I also liked the idea of non-Astartes psykers escorted by guardians (and executioners) into battle. I think that the Chapter needs overhauling - and perhaps a new name.

I would love to see what you think!

Against the Dark: The Redemptors

"You say psykers would light our way in this dark wilderness. I say they would be a beacon, inviting the multitudinous hordes of Chaos to descend upon us. I say I would rather struggle in the dark. I say there shall never be a psyker clad in the colours of the Redemptor."

- The Decree of Terentius

The Imperium of Man stretches across the galaxy, and yet at the furthest reaches of Imperial space, the light of the Astronomicon is dim and the authority of the Golden Throne is ignored or flouted. The Emperor Himself is considered by many to simply be a myth; calls for aid go unanswered and a planet could secede from the Imperium for many centuries before the High Lords would even notice.

Much of the information available to the Imperium regarding the Chapter known as the Redemptors comes from gregarious Rogue traders returning from the southernmost fringes of the Segmentum Tempestus, or those few Inquisitors granted leave to serve with the Chapter. The Redemptors, it is said, maintain a constant vigil far from the heartlands of the Imperium. Whilst the Chapter has never taken a homeworld, their recorded actions centre over a swathe of sectors that might be considered their territory. The Redemptors' warriors are dispersed across several strike craft and patrol vessels, enabling them to respond swiftly to any threat against the Imperium.

There are few records of the Adeptus Mechanicus sustaining forgeworlds within the fringes, and it is speculated that the Chapter maintains supply bases throughout their areas of operation; varying in size from small armouries and arsenals to asteroid facilities housing forges that are manned by the Redemptors' serfs, these would provide the Chapter with valuable arms and materiel to allow them to wage war effectively.

When studying pict-captures and vox-intercepts of the Redemptors at war, several unusual features can be identified; the brothers of the Chapter can be identified entering battle in older marks and patterns of armour, with battle-damage hastily patched over and with other signs of field-repair. It can be theorised that the Chapter's extreme isolation has placed great strain on its ever-dwindling supply of raw material and spare parts. Doubtless the Techmarines of the Chapter must be required to make great efforts to keep the Chapter's wargear functional until such time as proper repairs can be carried out and the machine-spirits assuaged.

There have been recorded instances of the Chapter negotiating with Rogue Traders and outlying colonies in order to procure weaponry, or even resorting to hand-to-hand combat to save ammunition. This pragmatism seems to run deep within the Chapter, as records have shown the Chapter using atypical weaponry such as las- and auto-rifles, alongside weaponry that would match patterns assigned to PDF garrisons, and even mining tools. It is said that the brothers of the Chapter are taught to carefully ration their equipment, and that needlessly wasting ammunition is seen as a serious infraction.

The Chapter's roots stem from its first master, a Captain of the Castigators by the name of Terentius. Chapter records relate the tale that, upon learning of his new charge Terentius undertook an extended period of meditation. He is said to have received a vision of a lantern, burning bright against the dark. No matter how fiercely the winds assailed it, the flame continued to burn, brighter than before. Terentius saw this portent as an analogy for the Chapter's charge; the warriors of the Astartes were, he considered, a raging light, a flame of purity that stood defiant against the tide of filth that assailed the Imperium. He saw the Emperor and the Astronomicon as symbols of light against and amidst the darkness of the warp. The Redemptors would serve to bring some of that same light to the darkest reaches of the Imperium.

The Redemptors hold that it is their sworn duty to bring the light of the Emperor to the faithless and uncivilised. Their rites emphasise their responsbility in their mission to 'bring light to the darkness'. The Chapter's ceremonies are often heavily linked to lanterns and torches. The symbolism inherent in such objects is of great significance - the Redemptors' faith burns, despite the depravity and evil they see; despite the depredations of chaos and the debasement of man in an age of darkness. It is the burning light of their faith that keeps them loyal and true until death. Upon the death of a Redemptor, his body is - whenever possible - recovered and his progenoids removed. His body is then ejected into the heart of the nearest star. In this way, the Redemptors are bound to the systems they stalk, perpetuating and fuelling the blazing light of the Emperor. The Redemptors themselves are dour, their existence on the edge of the Imperium distancing them from the trappings of an Imperial civilisation that are not theirs to enjoy. Instead they approach their lives with the quiet, unshakeable piety of those who have seen what happens to mens' souls on the edge of a vast nothingness.

The Redemptors are known to not field any psykers in their ranks. Terentius was drawn from the Castigators, a Chapter notorious for their intolerance of mutants and psykers. Upon taking command of the Redemptors, he issued a decree forbidding psykers from ever entering the Chapter. Over the years, the Redemptors have maintained that decree - for honour and loyalty are paramount to the Astartes. It is an unavoidable truth, however, that Psykers facilitate easy communication among the Chapter throughout the wilderness of space. The Chapter has been known to utilise Sanctioned Psykers acquired from the Adeptus Astra Telepathica in order to coordinate their forces. In this way, they abide by the word of Terentius' decree - though perhaps not its spirit. This compromise sits uneasily with the Redemptors, but it is seen as a necessary measure.

Against the Dark: The Redemptors

"You say psykers would light our way in this dark wilderness. I say they would be a beacon, inviting the multitudinous hordes of Chaos to descend upon us. I say I would rather struggle in the dark. I say there shall never be a psyker clad in the colours of the Redemptor."

- The Decree of Terentius

The Redemptors' fleet ranges far and wide across the very furthest southern reaches of the Segmentum Tempestus. Amongst the lawless edges of the Imperium, the light of the Astronomicon is dim and the authority of the Golden Throne is flouted or ignored. The Emperor Himself is considered to be simply a myth by some and a planet could secede from the Imperium for many centuries before the High Lords would ever notice.

Much of the information available to the wider Imperium regarding the Redemptors has come from gregarious Rogue Traders returning from the southern fringes, or Inquisitors granted leave to serve alongside the Chaptter. however, enough information exists to conjecture that the Redemptors were created in the nineteenth Astartes founding, before the Age of Apostasy.

The Chapter's first master, a Captain of the Castigators by the name of Terentius, undertook a period of meditation upon his appointment so that he might better understand his duty. He is said to have received a vision of a lantern, burning bright against the dark. No matter how fiercely the winds assailed it, the flame continued to burn, brighter than before.

Terentius saw this portent as an analogy for the Chapter's charge; the warriors of the Astartes were, he considered, a ranging light, a flame of purity that stood defiant against the tide of filth that assailed the Imperium. He saw the Emperor and the Astronomicon as symbols of light against and amidst the darkness of the warp. The Redemptors would serve to bring some of that same light to the darkest reaches of the Imperium.

The Redemptors defend territories far from the Imperium's manufacturing heartlands, and this extreme isolation has placed pressure upon the Chapter. Shipments of supplies and ammunition from thev nearest Forgeworlds are few and far between, and the Redemptors rarely receive new patterns and marks of material. The Techmarines of the Chapters contend with an ever-dwindling supply of raw materials and spare parts as they work to keep their brothers in the fight. Pict-records show Redemptors Marines entering into battle with battle-damage hastily patched over until such time as a proper repair can be carried out and the machine-spirits assuaged.

Whilst the Chapter has never taken a homeworld, they do maintain a number of supply bases throughout their area of operation. These facilities vary in size, from small armouries and arsenals to massive asteroid bases. Manned by the Chapter's serfs and support staff, they provide a source of weaponry and supplies that enable the Redemptors to wage war more effectively. The Redemptors' forces are divided amongst several strike craft and patrol vessels in order to respond quickly to any crisis throughout the fringes. Every brother is taught to carefully ration his equipment, and needlessly wasting ammunition is seen as a serious infraction. There have been recorded instances of the Chapter negotiating with Rogue Traders and outlying colonies in order to procure weaponry, or even resorting to hand-to-hand combat to save ammunition.

This pragmatic mindset extends to the newest recruits of the Chapter, those known as the Supplicants. These nascent brothers, having not donned power armour, do not fight with the bolt weapons assigned to their brothers. Instead, records show Supplicants instead using las- and auto-rifles, alongside weaponry that would match patterns assigned to PDF garrisons - even mining tools.

The Redemptors are known to not field any psykers in their ranks. Terentius was drawn from the Castigators, a Chapter notorious for their intolerance of mutants and psykers. Upon taking command of the Redemptors, he issued a decree forbidding psykers from ever entering the Chapter. Over the years, the Redemptors have maintained that decree - for honour and loyalty are paramount to the Astartes. It is an unavoidable truth, however, that Psykers facilitate easy communication among the Chapter throughout the wilderness of space. The Chapter has been known to utilise Sanctioned Psykers acquired from the Adeptus Astra Telepathica in order to coordinate their forces. In this way, they abide by the word of Terentius' decree - though perhaps not its spirit. This compromise sits uneasily with the Redemptors, but it is seen as a necessary measure.

Unseen by the bulk of the Imperium, the Redemptors have encountered, engaged and eradicated all manner of alien races - some that have not even been entered into the Inquisition's records. Inquisitors of the Ordo Xenos have, on occasion, travelled to meet the Redemptors and learn from them. The Redemptors hold that it is their sworn duty to bring the light of the Emperor to the faithless and uncivilised. Their rites emphasise their responsbility in their mission to 'bring light to the darkness'. The Chapter's ceremonies are often heavily linked to lanterns and torches. The symbolism inherent in such objects is of great significance - the Redemptors' faith burns, despite the depravity and evil they see; despite the depredations of chaos and the debasement of man in an age of darkness. It is the burning light of their faith that keeps them loyal and true until death.

Upon the death of a Redemptor, his body is - whenever possible - recovered and his progenoids removed. His body is then ejected into the heart of the nearest star. In this way, the Redemptors are bound to the systems they stalk, perpetuating and fuelling the blazing light of the Emperor. The Redemptors themselves are dour, their existence on the edge of the Imperium distancing them from the trappings of an Imperial civilisation that are not theirs to enjoy. Instead they approach their lives with the quiet, unshakeable piety of those who have seen what happens to mens' souls on the edge of a vast nothingness.

Edited June 30, 2017 by Commissar Molotov

[Tyrannicide]

Truly, a blast from the past. :)

 

It would be interesting to know more about their origins and how they came to settle into the region. I'm not sure how malleable of a state this is in right now, but if you're open to changes, here's an idea - what if they failed to uphold their initial oaths of watch on the frontier? A daemonic incursion/Xenos thrust/heretical rebellion/etc. fractures the realm and the Redemptors are unable to hold the foe at bay. Ultimately, Imperial reinforcements contest the attack and secure the region, but at a cost, as many are enslaved/killed/lost. As penitence the Chapter serves as the 'watchers on the wall' on the rim of Tempestus now. They are desperate and alone in their duty. Every day is a fight to survive, let alone protect those they once failed. Yet, they will not succumb again. Death before dishonor.

[Commissar Molotov]

Well, this is a part of my larger, over-arching Castigators project. These and the Inheritors are the successors of the Castigators, and I want to bring these concepts up to date as part of my plans.

 

With that said, much of the Chapter is open to change and feedback.  

 

I think the idea of the 'watchers on the wall' - although this was made long before I ever saw Game of Thrones is something at the core of the Redemptors. The line I wrote regarding those that have stared into nothingness was very Nietzschean - though I'm not sure they need to be motivated by shame. I see this Chapter as having a certain degree of practical pragmatism - scouts using non-bolt weaponry, for example, or the Chapter disregarding the ideals of its founders to include psykers. 

 

My intention was to create an article that's not an IA format, but something closer to Alan Bligh's work in the Imperial Armour books. That said, it's hard to consider the order to present information in order to make the text palatable for the reader. Any feedback would certainly be appreciated. 

[Commissar Molotov]

Edited the first post to include two images by the inimitable Algrim Whitefang that show a brother of the Redemptors and the Chapter's symbol. Would certainly love some feedback from people!

[Donkey Kong]

Hi Mol!

 

What do the Redemptors redeem exactly? Are they redeeming the lawless lands at the galactic rim? Are they redeeming psykers in the eyes of their Chapter and their Castigator lineage?

 

If the Redemptors are fleet based, why are they reliant on shipments from forge worlds few and far between as opposed to having their own forge ships? This one is difficult for me too, because I also like the idea of the Chapter armed with lasguns and armor effectively stripped down and rigged up like MK5 with heavy cabling and bonding studs. I also like the mining tools idea, planning on nabbing stuff from the genestealer cults?

 

How does the Redemptor's use of psykers differ from the Castigators, given that the Castigators are also reliant on psykers for navigation and communication? Do the Redemptors have psykers in a battlefield role? Wouldn't it help differentiate them more from the Castigators if they weren't uneasy about having psykers or perhaps allowed the sanctioned psykers attached to them to wear the Chapter's colors and heraldry?

[Commissar Molotov]

That's a fair question. The name falls apart under scrutiny. I'm a fan of one-word names - so many DIY Chapters have quite uninspiring names. Names such as Lightbringers / Lightbearers / Lantern Bearers / etc just seem unexciting and uninteresting. 

 

If the Chapter were to be modelled, then the idea of giving them jury-rigged and ad-hoc weaponry from the Genestealers and the like would be appealing. As-it-is, the genestealer cult models just give a justification for the sorts of equipment that the Chapter could use. Something that breaks the mould of the ordinary Space Marine Chapter. 

 

Whilst the idea of the forge-ship isn't a bad one, I did want to emphasise the precarious - and rather perilous - nature of existence on the edge of the Imperium. The idea that the Imperium itself is a thought construct - on the edge of the galaxy, it's almost mythical. Some of the things we take for granted with 40k are rather different at the fringe. The idea that shipments could go missing, etc., I thought made the Chapter's existence that bit more perilous. 

 

 

I wanted, with this Chapter, to have them be rather pragmatic. As such, they've somewhat gone back on the wishes of their first founder, and the Castigators themselves. That they have pressed the psykers into service. My original concept was using human psykers, surrounded by Astartes minders. I didn't just want to go down the route of having Astartes psykers in different coloured armour.

 

I want these to flaunt some of the typical DIY tropes, but I'm keen to bring these up to scratch. They're a barebones concept that is somewhat showing its age. Any help bringing these up to scratch would be welcome. 

[Donkey Kong]

The first thing that sprang to my mind when I read "a ranging light, a flame of purity that stood defiant against the tide of filth that assailed the Imperium." was a lighthouse. A little bit of playing with the thesaurus tool turned up "Pharos." Although, I'm not sure if a lighthouse on a peninsula is quite the same imagery as a torch lighting the way.

 

Wouldn't the precarious positioning be all the more reasoning to have a forge ship? I think their situation would be more easily explained with a chronically undersupplied ship than waiting on forge world shipments. It could be explained by a lack of forge worlds in the region rather than begging the question why the Chapter doesn't periodically swing by to make a pickup.

 

I like the idea of the sanctioned psyker and his minder. Certainly not Librarians in power armor under a different name, but maybe allowing the sanctioned psyker to have a fetish or shield or flak/ carapace armor in Redemptor colors? Another question is if the Chapter is in this position, why would they be reliant on psykers from the Adeptus Astra Telepathica rather than recruiting their own?

 

Given that the Redemptors and the Inheritors are going to be spin offs from the Castigators, I think it puts greater emphasis on the aesthetic. If form follows function, it might be an interesting place to start and figure out the factors to get you there afterwards? It sounds like their appearance is pretty well hammered out already.

[Tyrannicide]

You know what would be cool is to have something akin to the Runewatchers, from The Wolf King, that stand vigilant over the psykers. Maybe something like chosen Marines covered in purity seals and scriptures warding against the psychic energies their captives draw from.

 

EDIT: The Chapter scheme and sigil is just spectacular. Had to throw that in. ;)

Edited June 29, 2017 by Tyrannicide

[Commissar Molotov]

The first thing that sprang to my mind when I read "a ranging light, a flame of purity that stood defiant against the tide of filth that assailed the Imperium." was a lighthouse. A little bit of playing with the thesaurus tool turned up "Pharos." Although, I'm not sure if a lighthouse on a peninsula is quite the same imagery as a torch lighting the way.

 

Wouldn't the precarious positioning be all the more reasoning to have a forge ship? I think their situation would be more easily explained with a chronically undersupplied ship than waiting on forge world shipments. It could be explained by a lack of forge worlds in the region rather than begging the question why the Chapter doesn't periodically swing by to make a pickup.

 

I like the idea of the sanctioned psyker and his minder. Certainly not Librarians in power armor under a different name, but maybe allowing the sanctioned psyker to have a fetish or shield or flak/ carapace armor in Redemptor colors? Another question is if the Chapter is in this position, why would they be reliant on psykers from the Adeptus Astra Telepathica rather than recruiting their own?

 

Given that the Redemptors and the Inheritors are going to be spin offs from the Castigators, I think it puts greater emphasis on the aesthetic. If form follows function, it might be an interesting place to start and figure out the factors to get you there afterwards? It sounds like their appearance is pretty well hammered out already.

 

I think the lighthouse is a cool symbol. The Astronomicon is supposed to be like that, in a way - a light guiding navigation through the warp. So in a sense I don't want to disturb that iconography too far. Regarding the Pharos, I think the Horus Heresy has that covered, but I like the concept. I think the torch is a good symbol because it's also something to rally people, to bring people together. 

 

I mentioned that the Redemptors maintain asteroid bases and the like throughout the southern reaches, and this could perhaps be a solution to the forge problem - the idea that these facilities also serve to produce materiel for the Chapter. 

 

My thoughts regarding the Astra Telepathica focused around the Chapter having sanctioned psykers at their disposal, rather than picking up unsanctioned youths from across the fringes. Perhaps that might be fine, I'm not sure. 

 

 

You know what would be cool is to have something akin to the Runewatchers, from The Wolf King, that stand vigilant over the psykers. Maybe something like chosen Marines covered in purity seals and scriptures warding against the psychic energies their captives draw from.

 

EDIT: The Chapter scheme and sigil is just spectacular. Had to throw that in.

 

The idea of wardens is definitely imagery that I think could be cool. Almost like the ever-present threat of the Commissar hanging over psykers in the Imperial Guard! 

[Donkey Kong]

Might it make more sense for the psyker host to be from Rogue Traders? By your own description, the Redemptors operate, at best, at the edge of the Astronomcion's light. Would the Adeptus Astra Telepathica want to operate there?

 

I think the form the Chapter's bases take depend on the role the Chapter takes. How widespread is their patrol? Are they defenders or conquerers?

 

I had an idea for the aesthetic that I thought would be interesting. Could the white armor be unpainted ceramite ala the Death Guard? I think it could feed into the pragmatic angle.

[Commissar Molotov]

I've re-edited the first post in order to try to make it flow better. I don't intend for this to stretch too much, butt if there are specific details you think you'd like to know more about, then I'd like to hear it. 

 

KHK: In earlier drafts, the Redemptors were attached to Rogue Trader exploratory fleets, remorselessly crushing and destroying those who rejects the Emperor's light. But I'm not sure that I can see them trading with Rogue Traders for psykers. As for whether the AAT would want to operate there - I figure they'd have to - or else there would be no Astropaths, etc. 

 

If you're reading this, I'd love people to get involved with the discussions in the Castigators' thread! 

 

Hope you're all well, 

 

Mol. 

[Seukonnen]

Long lost cousins, separated at birth?

It is amazing how chapter concepts can converge completely unintentionally and out of a vacuum. Haloed torch/candle chapter symbol, fleet based with a stronger than normal fleet and an emphasis on void combat/boarding actions, use older or battleworn equipment, have frequent supply issues that lead them to barter with other Imperial forces, and have a thematic motif of "bringing light into the darkness."

Edited July 4, 2017 by Seukonnen

[Commissar Molotov]

Thanks for the comment! I haven't read your thread, though I will certainly do so. The Redemptors are a concept that goes back to 2007, and you can see their previous archived thread here. I don't intend to do too much with them - As I said previously, I want to write 1000-2000 words in the style of Alan Bligh's Imperial Armour books. If anything, this is an offshoot of the Castigators, trying to show that successor Chapters can illuminate different aspects of their parent's themes. 

 

Any feedback is more than welcome. 

[Seukonnen]

I hope you don't feel any accusation of plagiarism - the Bright Lords are also a chapter long in the making, with no ties to your Castigators or other concepts at all, and I understand that the same applies vice versa. I'm simply marveling at coincidence - i had a similar moment after I brainstormed my Chapter and then did some reading on GW's Knights Errant, who even share the same founding as the Bright Lords.

I think the idea that your Chapter might be using unsanctioned psykers is a particularly interesting possibility. Since they're operating on the extreme fringes of the Imperium, it does seem unlikely that the Adeptus Terra would be able to keep a steady supply of Sanctioned warpheads coming their way, and also unlikely that the Black Ships would be able to scour the worlds as thoroughly.

Perhaps, having seen how much havoc unsanctioned psykers can cause, the Chapter took it upon themselves to see to it that these witches' dubious, dangerous, but powerful talents would be directed usefully against other abominations rather than against Imperials - a sort of more vitriolic extension of the Imperial attitude towards abhumans in the Imperial Guard, or a less extreme version of inquisitors using daemonhosts?

Sort of - "These people exist whether we want them to or not. We can't get rid of them all, but if we bind them to us we can keep an eye on them, make sure their witchery is only leveled against other blasphemies to the Emperor, and kablam them if they start to step out of line. And for however long they last before we have to kill them, they'll help us stretch our forces further." In essence, in the absence of an Imperial institution (Sanctioning), they have taken it upon themselves to fill the gap.

Edited July 5, 2017 by Seukonnen