Index Astartes: Red Fangs v.01

[ToyShip]

++Red Fangs++

 

The Apocrypha Kaali is the only known source that lists successors of the Astral Claws, mentioning three but only naming one.

Chapter records state that the Red Fangs were founded late in the 37th Millennium following the Astral Claws’ lauded victory in the Taninim Crusade. Much like their founding chapter, the Red Fangs became a crusading chapter, quickly earning themselves glory and and a reputation as fierce, noble warriors. The treachery of their forebears has had a powerful effect on the chapter and it has been noted by Imperial observers that they are willing to throw themselves zealously into any conflict involving those who would renounce Imperial rule.

 

The Founding

 

Founded in the waning days of the 37th millennium at the close of the Taninim Crusade, the Red Fangs are said to have fought alongside the Astral Claws and their brother chapter the Tiger Claws on numerous occasions in those early years. The planet of Ro-Gamma 13 was chosen for their marshaling grounds, and the first wave of recruits was taken from the populace. A hardy, feudal people, the first generation of Red Claws did much to mould the culture of the chapter, bringing with them the knightly customs of their home planet.

 

Some Big Campaign (Fought alongside the Tiger Claws?)

 

Recruitment Worlds

 

The Badab War and subsequent Penitent Crusade

 

Upon hearing of their founding chapter’s treachery, the Red Fangs petitioned the Loyalist High Command to join the war, though they were a segmentum away. Their request was denied, largely due to the close ties they had formed with the Astral Claws, there was some reservation that the Red Fangs would be conflicted when it came time to deliver the killing blow. The Red Fangs no doubt were outraged by the denial of their request as they had been nothing but loyal and effective in the prosecution of their campaigns, but they abided by the decision. Instead, upon the Excommunication of the Astral Claws, the Red Fangs declared that they would go on penitent crusade, painting their shoulder plates black and in the place of the noble lion they had borne for millennia, a lion’s skull became their heraldry. Nearing the end of their self-imposed penitent crusade the Red Fangs have changed. Numbering barely a third of their previous strength they have become a savage, battered force, fighting almost frantically with little regard for their own lives. Gone are the noble lion-knights of their early days, all that remains is their hatred of traitors and the rabid ferocity with which they hunt their foes down.

 

 

Chapter Combat Doctrine and Beliefs

 

++++++

 

Hey guys, this is a concept I am working on for my DIY marines posted in the WIP section. I know linking a chapter to such an established fluff piece is kind of a no no but I think I am heading in the right direction when it comes to tiptoeing around that issue. Any thoughts, comments, or criticisms?

Edited December 24, 2017 by ToyShip

[Bjorn Firewalker]

A good start, but considering the implied insult they received before their penitent crusade began, their subsequent losses, and reported savagery, I can't help but repeat questions regarding the Red Fangs' loyalty. Did they ever have to purge renegades within their own Chapter, e.g., those advocating the Red Fangs join the Astral Claws' side during the Badab War, and/or those attempting to join the Red Corsairs afterwards?

[ToyShip]

Basically what I have in mind is that while insulted, the Chapter Master of the Red Fangs saw past his pride and accepted the decision as sound. Or, perhaps he ignored Badab War High Command and mobilized the chapter to the conflict but it was over before the Red Fangs could intervene. I think I may like that better.

 

I have not added it in yet, but I figured there would be at least one Inquisitorial review of the chapter, especially at the start of the Badab War. I may have a member or squad of the Red Hunters assigned (or even invited by the chapter?) to gauge the progress of the penitent crusade and to be sure of the Red Fangs' continued loyalty. 

 

A civil war within the chapter is not a bad idea really, it is something I hadn't thought of. I suppose it comes down to how far I want to go with the bonds between the two chapters. Really the theme as it stands is the Red Fangs have their worldview shattered when their parent chapter and (close) ally spits on their oaths and rebels against the Imperium. They embark on the Penitent Crusade to prove their loyalty to the Imperium and maybe a little bit to themselves, while taking the sins of the father upon themselves at the same time.

 

I appreciate the comment, and your insights have the wheels turning, made me think of possibilities that weren't immediately apparent.

[Zhiv]

What you have so far is solid. You have found a 'blank space on fluff map' and started coloring it in. Which is one of the best ways to write new stuff, I think.

 

 

 

 perhaps he ignored Badab War High Command and mobilized the chapter to the conflict but it was over before the Red Fangs could intervene. 

 

 

Badad war lasted 11 years so even if we give Red Fangs two years to learn about the war and similarly two years to wait for an answer from the High Command, you'd still have had seven years to mobilize.   Being rapid insertion forces I think that most ready chapters not on a campaign given time can mobilize in weeks.   Of course you could say that it took them nine years to get an answer and when they got it, it was too late to do anything.

 

Civil war can be an interesting plot-hook, but not one that you have to grasp. There are other ways to explain how the chapter changed. I would maybe start fleshing out the chapter cult (beliefs) before the penitent crusade, then figure out what happened during the crusade and how it affected the chapter and their beliefs. 

[ToyShip]

What you have so far is solid. You have found a 'blank space on fluff map' and started coloring it in. Which is one of the best ways to write new stuff, I think.

 

 

 

 perhaps he ignored Badab War High Command and mobilized the chapter to the conflict but it was over before the Red Fangs could intervene. 

 

 

Badad war lasted 11 years so even if we give Red Fangs two years to learn about the war and similarly two years to wait for an answer from the High Command, you'd still have had seven years to mobilize.   Being rapid insertion forces I think that most ready chapters not on a campaign given time can mobilize in weeks.   Of course you could say that it took them nine years to get an answer and when they got it, it was too late to do anything.

 

Civil war can be an interesting plot-hook, but not one that you have to grasp. There are other ways to explain how the chapter changed. I would maybe start fleshing out the chapter cult (beliefs) before the penitent crusade, then figure out what happened during the crusade and how it affected the chapter and their beliefs. 

 

Thanks! I was worried that attaching myself to one of the major players in a major conflict would be looked down upon, but I am trying to make it believable.

 

As to the mobilization, exactly. Perhaps the Inquisitorial envoy shows up with the news, and then proceeds to tell the chapter that they are under investigation. But between the vagaries of astropathic transmission and travel through the warp it could indeed take years. Something I will definitely have to do some more work on, I appreciate you pointing that out.

 

As for the next stop being beliefs, I think that is a solid idea, get into the psyche of the Red Fangs a bit more and understand what such events would do to their beliefs. The Astral Claws "had always been proud and imperious, much enamoured of martial glory and the veneration of the heroes of the past." This quote alone gives me a bunch to work with, especially the veneration of heroes of the past. In the case of the Red Fangs this could be applied as them going so far as to venerate Astral Claws heroes as well as their own. 

 

Anyway, yet more great ideas, I appreciate the comments and help!

[Warsmith Onyx]

Very solid beginning you've got yourself there. I really like your ideas and i'm looking forward to reading more from you!

But I have one question: what happened to the recruiting worlds and the Chapter homeworld during the penitent crusade?
Did they abandon them altogether, or did they just leave skeleton crews behind?
Also if they did, what happened with these skeleton crews that did or did not participate in the crusade, and how do they view the changes in the Chapter's mentality?

[Bjorn Firewalker]

But I have one question: what happened to the recruiting worlds and the Chapter homeworld during the penitent crusade?

When I wrote a History for an IA Chapter that went on a penitent crusade, I had the Chapter ask a boon of an ally whose loyalty was not in question (in this case, the Blood Angels), to serve as custodians of the planet, until the IA Chapter returned from its crusade. ToyShip can have the Red Fangs ask a similar boon from the Red Hunters, as suggested, or another Chapter. (I was going to suggest a Lord Inquisitor, but remembered no Space Marine Chapter will blindly trust the Inquisition, with the possible exceptions of the Red Hunters and Grey Knights.)

Did they abandon them altogether, or did they just leave skeleton crews behind?

Also if they did, what happened with these skeleton crews that did or did not participate in the crusade, and how do they view the changes in the Chapter's mentality?

That will lead to too much tension and distrust between those who went on the penitent crusade, and those who didn't. Either everyone goes on this penitent crusade (with the possible exception of those serving in the Deathwatch), or no one goes.

[Warsmith Onyx]

 

That will lead to too much tension and distrust between those who went on the penitent crusade, and those who didn't. Either everyone goes on this penitent crusade (with the possible exception of those serving in the Deathwatch), or no one goes.

That's why I asked the question, I thought the same thing.

 

It could be interesting however, to write how the chapter comes back to its homeworld after the crusade, and see how it rekindles with its past now that it has changed so much.

[ToyShip]

Very solid beginning you've got yourself there. I really like your ideas and i'm looking forward to reading more from you!

 

But I have one question: what happened to the recruiting worlds and the Chapter homeworld during the penitent crusade?

Did they abandon them altogether, or did they just leave skeleton crews behind?

Also if they did, what happened with these skeleton crews that did or did not participate in the crusade, and how do they view the changes in the Chapter's mentality?

 

Thanks alot, I have been devouring lore, starting and discarding DIY chapters, and generally planning for over a decade now (I have been a member of the B&C for 14 years ). Finally everything is coming to a head and I am feeling very strongly about this project.

 

The recruiting worlds are more than likely abandoned as the Red Fangs would have only nominal involvement with them, their outposts falling into ruin and disrepair. They have no homeworld as such, just a mustering world, a place where they organize and rearm before returning to their wars. Being a crusading chapter even before their penitent crusade I imagine they wouldn't have too many qualms about just abandoning this world too, though I did have an idea. With the Indomitus Crusade being a thing, as well as the new Primaris Marines, it might be interesting to have the Primaris that are assigned to the Red Fangs sent to the mustering world to find that it had been abandoned nearly a century ago. Perhaps they too embark on a crusade to find their assigned chapter, following in the path of devastation left behind by the Red Fangs. Or, if there is Red Hunters there, they stay on the mustering world and await the return of the Fangs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But I have one question: what happened to the recruiting worlds and the Chapter homeworld during the penitent crusade?

When I wrote a History for an IA Chapter that went on a penitent crusade, I had the Chapter ask a boon of an ally whose loyalty was not in question (in this case, the Blood Angels), to serve as custodians of the planet, until the IA Chapter returned from its crusade. ToyShip can have the Red Fangs ask a similar boon from the Red Hunters, as suggested, or another Chapter. (I was going to suggest a Lord Inquisitor, but remembered no Space Marine Chapter will blindly trust the Inquisition, with the possible exceptions of the Red Hunters and Grey Knights.)

Did they abandon them altogether, or did they just leave skeleton crews behind?

Also if they did, what happened with these skeleton crews that did or did not participate in the crusade, and how do they view the changes in the Chapter's mentality?

That will lead to too much tension and distrust between those who went on the penitent crusade, and those who didn't. Either everyone goes on this penitent crusade (with the possible exception of those serving in the Deathwatch), or no one goes.

 

 

As I started to say in my previous reply in this post, I think either the mustering world will be garrisoned by the Red Hunters (how cool would it be if there was a single marine at the chapter keep/outpost maintaining vigil, kind of like a lighthouse caretaker?), or it is completely abandoned.

 

This brings me to another idea I had last night coming home from a concert. I stated that the chapter numbers around 300 astartes. Nominally a Codex-adherent chapter the penitent crusade has taken such a toll on their numbers that the Red Fangs have made some necessary adjustments. The Red Fangs have dissolved the 1st company for the duration of the crusade, as it has suffered horrendous losses. Instead those remaining veterans have been spread throughout the remaining squads in various leadership roles, mostly as Sergeants or Lieutenants. And those scouts that were part of the Fangs before the penitent crusade have not been given full rank of battle-brother until the crusade is over. So instead of green recruits, the surviving scouts are more like Wolf Scouts, and nearly a century old.

 

Thanks for the replies, each time you guys come up with some brain picking questions and you are helping dig deeper and deeper each time.

[Cpt_Reaper]

Just a small error I picked up, you call them Red Claws a few times in the Badab War section.

 

How do the Red Fangs feel about Huron Blackheart and his Red Corsairs? Do they keep away or face that shame head on? Would something like the Dark Angels and the Fallen work, where the Loyalists make it their duty to hunt down and make the traitors repent?

[ToyShip]

Just a small error I picked up, you call them Red Claws a few times in the Badab War section.

 

How do the Red Fangs feel about Huron Blackheart and his Red Corsairs? Do they keep away or face that shame head on? Would something like the Dark Angels and the Fallen work, where the Loyalists make it their duty to hunt down and make the traitors repent?

Good catch! Fixed!

 

I think it is similar to the Dark Angels and the Fallen, but perhaps not to the extent that the 1st Legion goes to. Part of the penitent crusade could see them operating in the Maelstrom Zone, seeking their genetic forebears out in order to bring them to justice. It might be interesting to have the Red Fangs confront the Red Corsairs at some point and have them defeated pretty soundly, maybe have the bulk of their losses come from that fight. Definitely something to think about more. Thanks for the reply!

[Zhiv]

 

I think it is similar to the Dark Angels and the Fallen, but perhaps not to the extent that the 1st Legion goes to. Part of the penitent crusade could see them operating in the Maelstrom Zone, seeking their genetic forebears out in order to bring them to justice. It might be interesting to have the Red Fangs confront the Red Corsairs at some point and have them defeated pretty soundly, maybe have the bulk of their losses come from that fight. Definitely something to think about more. Thanks for the reply!

 

 

While this is a valid option, it ties the Red Fangs rather closely to the Astral Claws. Also, while proving one's loyalty in this manner makes sense, a crafty inquisitor could doubt their motives. Perhaps it would be better if the penitent crusade was aimed somewhere else with the Fangs hellbent on destroying enemies of the Emperor to prove their loyalty, be they xenos or heretics.  This way you wouldn't need to name drop Astral Claws time after time and you'd have more creative freedom in writing what happened during the crusade. 

[ToyShip]

I agree with you, you make good points. I need to be careful of name dropping the Astral Claws every paragraph and tying them together TOO closely. It cheapens the overall storyline. Thanks for the input!

[Dosjetka]

Interesting core concept that I think works well. It piggybacks off established lore but without treading on anyone's toes.

 

Going somewhere other than the Maelstrom for the penitent crusade is a good idea as their best bet, in my opinion, is to distance themselves as much as possible from the Astral Claws/Red Corsairs.

 

Regarding the safekeeping of their muster world, a single squad from another Chapter is enough but I'd suggest you come up with your own Chapter rather than use the Red Hunters (avoids further impression of name-dropping). Heck, if you want, my Dark Valedictors can spare an escort ship and a squad of Astartes to keep an eye on that planet, if you'd like (if not, no offence shall be taken). :tu:

 

Anyway, looking forward to seeing further additions to your Index Astartes article.

[Archivist Thaddeus Kryptem]

Nice solid start so far, and I really like the concept. I think for me the next things I'd like to see is their culture pre-penitence and during the penitence expanded upon, so we can see how they have changed in temperament and outlook.

 

Also as much as you want to move away from noble Lion-Knights maybe you could use the title for the Honour Guard? That is probably personal opinion shining through more than any meaningful insight. 

 

Finally please tell me you are going to get the Trajann Valoris model, if for nothing else but to make use of the cool Lion pelt (which incidentally is a separate piece so no cutting required :P ) and Lion iconography for a character or two?

 

https://www.games-workshop.com/en-GB/Captain-general-Trajann-Valoris-2018