Kelborn Posted May 26, 2018 Share Posted May 26, 2018 Hello brothers and sisters, it has been a while since I've uploaded the last homebrewn chapter of mine. This time, I've done something different by creating fluff for a canon chapter, the Umbral Knights. Until now, we know nothing about them except the fact that they voluntarily stayed within the Dark Imperium like the Rift Stalkers. I thought to myself, why not giving them a background, etc.? Yes, the chances are high that either GW or FW will give them an update. If that happens, I'll rename my chapter. Simple as it is. So what is this all about? Here are the very key facts about my initial concept: A Dark Angels successor, which descends from a distant world which once bore an outpost of the 1st Legiones Astartes during the Great Crusade and the Horus Heresy. 10K years later, its sons return to reclaim their birthright and bring their world into compliance once more. Source of inspiration: - Death Knights (Warcraft) - Dark Angels mixed with fear tactics of the Night Lords - Dracula Untold aka the story of Vlad the Impaler - weird as that might sound, Magic the Gathering: Ravnica - last but not least, Batman for a Dark Knight / justice through intimidation theme Quite a mixture. But I've managed to write down the key facts on which I'll expand their fluff step by step (hopefully with your help & feedback ) Long speech short. Here's what I got thus far! Introduction and first part of their history was done by GW and Warhammerwiki. *marginal note: I'll revise the layout asap to give it more structure, etc.* Hope you'll enjoy reading. Cheers Kelborn ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Umbral Knights Founding: Ultima Founding (999.M41) Primogenitor: Dark Angels Chapter Master: Vlad Lu'Carda Homeworld: Nivacar Fortress Monastery: Malykriss, the forgotten fortress Specialty: Shock and awe tactics, Psychological warfare, Urban warfare Colors: Dark Grey, White, Red Battle Cry: "Eternal!" "Unyielding!" “Sometimes, the world no longer needs a hero. Sometimes what it needs is a monster.” – Vlad Lu’Carda The Umbral Knights is a Loyalist Space Marine Chapter comprised entirely of Primaris Space Marines, created from an unknown lineage and raised during the Ultima Founding of 999.M41. These supreme transhuman warriors were created by order of Roboute Guiliman, the recently resurrected Primarch of the Ultramarines, who had tasked Archmagos Dominus Belisarius Cawl with crafting a legion of new genetically-enhanced warriors to serve as Humanity's last line of defence following the Horus Heresy. Even then, Guilliman foresaw a time of encroaching darkness when Chaos would threaten the galaxy itself. These gene-crafted warriors are intended to protect the Imperium of Man against Chaos, xenos and the myriad threats that close in upon Mankind from all sides. They are the key components of the resurrected Primarch'sIndomitus Crusade to reclaim the galaxy. The Umbral Knights played a role in the Indomitus Crusade under Lord Commander of the Imperium Guilliman's orders until they were tasked with staying behind after one of the initial conflicts was won so that they could consolidate the Crusade's gains among the liberated worlds. Chapter History For ten millennia, Archmagos Dominus Belisarius Cawl has been working on a task set for him by the PrimarchRobouteGuilliman before he was mortally wounded by the Daemon Primarch Fulgrim in the days after the Horus Heresy: a new legion of transhuman warriors. Developed on orders from Guilliman 100 standard centuries past, Primaris Space Marines were diligently developed and perfected by the Priesthood of Mars during the long intervening millennia. As an optimist, but never a fool, Guilliman learned from the mistakes of the Horus Heresy, and he foresaw that the Forces of Chaos would never relent in their aim to bring the Imperium low. He anticipated that devastating times would once again engulf the galaxy and knew that warriors resilient enough to stand against them would be needed as never before. That time has surely come. Now, as the Imperium of Ma is poised on the brink of annihilation at the hands of Chaos, his task is at last complete. The Primaris Space Marine is a new breed of hero for this, the darkest age in the Imperium's history. These new warriors are the next step in the evolution of the Emperor's Angels of Death -- genetically altered from their brethren to be bigger, stronger and faster -- timely reinforcements for the Imperium's armies as their enemies close in for the kill in the wake of Abaddon the Despoiler's 13th Black Crusade and the birth of the Great Rift dividing the Imperium in two. At the dawn of the Indomitus Crusade to retake the Imperium from the advancing armies of Chaos and Xenos alike, Lord Commander of the ImperiumRobouteGuilliman has gathered his new armada, along with elements of the AdeptusCustodes, a small contingent of the Silent Sisterhood. They were not alone. Upon nearby Mars, Archmagos Dominus Belisarius Cawl had unlocked his vaults, producing from stasis the fruits of his longest labors -- the Ultima Founding. To complete the full deployment of his long-prepared masterworks would take months. Cawl's own fleet joined the Primarch, headed by his freighter-hulk, Zar-Quaesitor, a mech-ark class ship that carried within its massive hull a vast number of Primaris Marines still in stasis hibernation. The Archmagos brought with him several armies of Skitarii and LegioCybernetica, alongside three lances of Questoris Knights from House Taranis. As the Indomitus Crusade penetrated deeper into the galaxy, thousands of hibernating Primaris Space Marines -- some comprising entirely new Chapters and others designated as reinforcements for existing ones -- were awakened from their millennia-long slumber and made ready to join the fray. Many Chapter Masters welcomed their Primaris brethren into their ranks, accepting the new reinforcements gladly. Others, though, viewed these new creations with suspicion or outright hostility, claiming that the Emperor's work should never have been meddled with by mere mortals. Despite cleaving a wide path through the darkness that beset the Imperium, the Indomitus Crusade began to break down. Once deployed, the new Chapters -- such as the Umbral Knights or the Rift Stalkers -- remained after the initial conflicts were won, seeking to consolidate the crusade's gains; in many cases, they did this by establishing their own new Chapter planets. In this way, the Crusade not only freed worlds from the tyranny of the Dark Gods but also strengthened their defenses against further attacks that were sure to come. Later it was said that during the darkest hours the Imperium had endured since the Horus Heresy, it was the Indomitus Crusade that gave Mankind the hope to persevere. - First used against those, who turned away from the Imperium / required retribution; some seized a chance to become independent, some to openly declare their true fealties - The Umbral Knights always impersonated the philosophy of righteous punishment and thus became the deliverers of Lord Guilimans retribution - In their case, they were the warriors for a future that would have no place for beings like them. Homeworld – Nivacar - Several guilds at peace due to ancient guildpact, which was introduced by the Dark Angels after bringing Nivacar into compliance o 10K years later and with the opening of the Great Rift has the pact become futile, chaos did now reign; each guild was nearly on its own, temporary alliances between some guilds were what kept Nivacar from drowning into total anarchy - Despite the current situation, Nivacar is a much of a vital world within the so-called Imperium Nihilus to simply abandon it - The world is completely covered in city landscapes; only a couple of great volcanic mountain chains broke through the eternal city o Although its surface is completely covered in artificial landscapes, certain guilds created large-scale artificial underground seas and forests/parks to preserve the former worlds flora and fauna - Some guilds are focusing on industry and science and thus are bound to the AdeptusMechanicum - Lord Guiliman himself tasked the Umbral Knights to re-establish order on Nivacar, as they were once recruits for the first Legion, deriving from there. o Further: stabilizing/reconquering the realm known as the Dark Imperium and support Lord Regent Dante of the Blood Angels by all means necessary Malykriss, the forgotten fortress - Deep within the sub-levels of Nivacar’s cities lies an ancient fortress, which was once inhabited by the 1stLegionesAstartes, the Dark Angels - During the Great Crusade, the sons of the Lion establish a garrison to keep Nivacar in check and use it as a staging point for future campaigns - Dark Angels abandoned it (due to the Horus Heresy) and left it in the hands of the local lord-magi of the Adeptus Mechanicus o They in return maintained the fortress for the resurgence of the first Legion. As a quid, pro quo were these techno-affine guilds allowed to experiment in secret as long as it fits the needs of the Lion and the Imperium. o Since being brought into compliance again (during the Indomitus Crusade), are the guilds upholding their ancient pacts and provide the Umbral Knights with all necessary supply goods. o Experiments and prototype technology is held in check by Umbral Knights and used for the good of the Dark Imperium - In time, the fortress was forgotten and absorbed by the ever-expanding city. - These days, pilgrims and soldiers of fortune still look to find the place of Nivacar’s myths. Those who survive and succeed are taken by the Umbral Knights as possible candidates for either their own ranks or as chapter serfs. Combat Doctrine - Guiliman used them as shock-troops, which led to their specialization in certain tactics - Terror tactics, shock and awe, stealth tactics done by special “Blackwing” o Use subterfuge to lure the enemies, crippling their forces and to strike hard with a final killing blow o If they cannot use fear against their adversary, they are conducting morale sabotaging, objectives of strategic importance or executions of high-ranking leaders - Urban warfare - Annihilation / purgation done by special “Aggressor-Wing” (Pyrewing) - Relentless, resisting overwhelming odds - Intolerant of non-humans and mutants; thus, they are often at odds with certain guilds of their homeworld - Excessive use of force to set a warning example; thus earning them a sanguinary, intimidating reputation - Force to solidified the Imperium Nihilus’ reconquered worlds Organization - Around 500 Primaris in total plus additional 60 Neophyte - Divided into five companies; adherent to the rewritten codex o Differences: § Chapter master = Highlord, Title Deathlord; Four Horsemen (leader of specialists) o Further, adhering to their Primogenitors tendency for special formations § Instead of Death- &Ravenwing -> Stealth / Terror wing (Reivers) + annihilation wing (Aggressors), detachments assigned to battle-companies o 1 - 3 battle-companies, 4 + 5 special companies, with the sixth company under development for Neophytes - Librarians focus on mind tricks, destructive spells, “darker stuff” like Deathcoil of Death Knights - Four Horsemen: each leader of a certain faction within the chapter: Apothecary, Master of the Forge, Chaplain, Librarium Genessed - As descendants of the I Legion, the Umbral Knights’ gene-seed is one of the purest and least degraded of all, even without the Primaris improvements. Culture & Beliefs - Knights! Honor codex, dark, secretive theme (Batman, Deathknights) - Inflict suffering, etc. on their foes as punishments for their betrayal / actions - There are no shades of grey for them, no degree of guilts or innocence - They brought the light of the Imperium into the dark realm of guilt and monsters by bringing retribution / justice - They are neither warm nor caring, but as indifferent and cold as the edge of a knife; still, they try to avoid casualties and punish only those, who deserved it - Relentless towards Xenos, mutant and the heretics - Venerating the Lion and Lord Guiliman as leaders of the Imperium; Emperor a distant ruler, although being venerated, Primarchs are more important to them - No close bond to the Legion of the Unforgiven o On the one hand, there simply was not a chance to meet them o On the other hand, they have heard rumors and tales of their questionable motives and actions o Thus, there is currently no intention to meet them as soon as possible; there are way more important tasks to do Notable Elements Artefacts Nightmourne, a master-crafted power axe, which was a gift from the re-unified guilds of Nivacar to the Umbral Knights’ chapter master Blades of the Fallen, two ancient Blades of unknown origin, able to easily cut through ceramite, wielded by Vares Vessels Impaler – Battle Barge, flagship of the Umbral Knights Maw of the Damned – Strike-cruiser Ebon Blade - Strike-cruiser Dark Claw - Strike-cruiser Gambler - Strike-cruiser Notable Members Vlad Lu’carda, the dragon, twin-brother of Rad, chapter master of the Umbral Knights Rad Lu’carda, twin-brother of Vlad, Chief Librarian, member of the Four Horsemen Rend Meitas – Master of the Forge, member of the Four Horsemen Krom, the Gorefist - Chief Apothecarius, member of the Four Horsemen Ser Zeliek - High Chaplain, member of the Four Horsemen and former Legionary of the Dark Angels Vares, the silent angel –Champion of the Umbral Knights Marric - Captain Falwyn - Captain Forasiox – leader of the Wraithwing Orygmos – leader of the Pyrewing Chapter Appearance Some reference pictures: Nivacar: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uIQUksmKJoY/UCGq-jbmgnI/AAAAAAAAQIk/_qKGtpPzV6U/s1600/Richard+Wright+Ravnica+Lands.JPG Malykriss: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/0b/1e/61/0b1e61dd6384c692632e07c559828002.jpg or https://i.redditmedia.com/LXNXQLpCPthP3oNsO4Et8235FdBhrzZnH3ft3iMreeg.jpg?fit=crop&crop=faces%2Centropy&arh=2&w=960&s=81df93dc7d5f541b850cbc8f15b665b0 Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/347641-ultima-founding-umbral-knights/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
WG101 Posted May 27, 2018 Share Posted May 27, 2018 The Umbral knights actually exist in the canon just so you know. We don't know much about them but they do exist. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/347641-ultima-founding-umbral-knights/#findComment-5091682 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelborn Posted May 27, 2018 Author Share Posted May 27, 2018 Reread the first paragraph of my post, not the article. ;) I've mentioned that it is a canon chapter and my first attempt of fleshing out an existing one. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/347641-ultima-founding-umbral-knights/#findComment-5091744 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bjorn Firewalker Posted May 27, 2018 Share Posted May 27, 2018 Not bad. Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/347641-ultima-founding-umbral-knights/#findComment-5091806 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelborn Posted December 2, 2018 Author Share Posted December 2, 2018 Is it already more than half a year ago? Jeez... Whatever. A couple of days ago, I've decided to return to my take on the Umbral Knights. I'm also willing and able to commission some official art for them, as well. Now, I'm considering if I should continue working on a canon chapter or if I should rename them and reform them into a homebrew chapter, just to be sure. As far as I've experienced it, GW never had any issues with someone trying to do something with their canon stuff. Nonetheless, I think a revamp could be reasonable enough to give it a try. In doing so I could reuse the name Ebon Blades, a Primaris chapter, I once created, basing on the 30K Dreadwing of the 1st Legion. What would you guys recommend? :) Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/347641-ultima-founding-umbral-knights/#findComment-5204739 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Lunkhead Posted December 3, 2018 Share Posted December 3, 2018 I like what you are doing..... I say stay the course Just keep in mind that GW could (but probably won't) use the chapter for their own nefarious purposes without any consideration to the work you put into it...…. It's nothing personal, it's just business Link to comment https://bolterandchainsword.com/topic/347641-ultima-founding-umbral-knights/#findComment-5205526 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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