The Master of Shadows role in Chapter organization

[Dusterthreeonesix]

Something I've always wondered about is how exactly the Raven Guard's chapter master fits into everything.

Some of the fluff suggests that Raven Guard companies are highly independant, and often opperate away from Deliverance for extended periods of time. The Shadow Captains are given more leeway than other chapters, and tend to choose their operations based on their own judgement. No effort being made to contact the chapter at large for approval. Or orders.

But then we have the Chapter Master. Not attached to any company in particular. And with the Companies usually off doing their own thing... how does the Master of Shadows opperate?

Prior to a.... certain, unnamed, Imperial Armour book my personal theory was that 'Corvin Severax' didn't actually exist. That the captains of the XIXth simply kept a name on record that they all used to rubberstamp requests directed to people outside the chapter.

Or to tell irate idjits who wanted an explaination for why Captain Shrike was running around saving silly civvies instead of getting Lord Commander High Muckity Muck whatever piece of glory he wanted.

However, that isn't the case. So, what are my fellow shadowy brothers thoughts on how our ultimate buttock prodders get into the fight?

[Race Bannon]

Good question!

 

For my part, in my head, the Chapter Master of the Raven Guard is the same as any other Chapter Master in function and action.  He is the chief administrator: coordinates overall strategic decisions and plans for the Chapter.  He is the penultimate warrior: a model for which his brothers strive to emulate.  As such, the Chapter Master goes to war where he is most needed, or where his presence would be most impactful toward victory.

 

Although it is true that the Shadow Captains have greater autonomy to use their Company and attached units as they see fit for the campaign, they are still beholden to the Chapter Master and ultimately to the needs of the Chapter.

 

In my humble opinion ^_^

[spiros14]

I would believe that the Raven Guard have a much less rigid command structure when it comes to their Chapter Master; treating Shrike less as "in command of everything," and more as a well respected captain. He's the dude they turn to when an important decision about the chapter is made. Note that the Raven Guard didn't auto pick their first or second captain to be the new leader, as is usually the case; instead they elected Shrike as he is the "better," captain.

Those are my thoughts.

[W.A.Rorie]

Something I've always wondered about is how exactly the Raven Guard's chapter master fits into everything.

 

Some of the fluff suggests that Raven Guard companies are highly independant, and often opperate away from Deliverance for extended periods of time. The Shadow Captains are given more leeway than other chapters, and tend to choose their operations based on their own judgement. No effort being made to contact the chapter at large for approval. Or orders.

 

But then we have the Chapter Master. Not attached to any company in particular. And with the Companies usually off doing their own thing... how does the Master of Shadows opperate?

 

Prior to a.... certain, unnamed, Imperial Armour book my personal theory was that 'Corvin Severax' didn't actually exist. That the captains of the XIXth simply kept a name on record that they all used to rubberstamp requests directed to people outside the chapter.

 

Or to tell irate idjits who wanted an explaination for why Captain Shrike was running around saving silly civvies instead of getting Lord Commander High Muckity Muck whatever piece of glory he wanted.

 

However, that isn't the case. So, what are my fellow shadowy brothers thoughts on how our ultimate buttock prodders get into the fight?

 

 

so Corvin Severax is Kasier Soze?

[MajorNese]

For a similar organization, we might take a look at the Iron Hands. Every clan company acts separately, each having a codex chapter strength divided by 10 (veterans, tacs, devs, assaults, scouts). A war leader is elected from the captains, to lead them in large-scale campaigns, have the oversight, and act as representative.

 

Guess the RG chapter master has a similar role. Keep track of the chapter as a whole, make sure the individual companies don't just randomly run after civvies until they run out of marines, but strike at vital targets. Personally, the CM probably joins a company/task force temporarily depending on situation, just like a captain might join a squad. RG units might have a tendency to act separately since the Deliverance rebellion, but there has always been a mastermind behind it. Which always had lightning claws and a jump pack, because of reasons.

[seriade]

I think the most direct comparison would be Helbrect from the Black Templars.  He is in charge and can issue directives to the individual operating groups but will generally let them do their own thing until they need to commit to something at chapter strength.  He would probably also be in responsible for a lot of the administration of the chapter affairs and probably some of the direction of the Titan legion that is stationed with the raven guard as well as directing some of forge world production given most of that production directly supports the raven guard itself.

[Race Bannon]

Side note trivia: name that Titan Legion!

[Claws and Effect]

Legio Vindictus