Index Astartes: Verdant Phoenix

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The Verdant Phoenix

Of Flame and Steel
The Phoenix Verdant are stoic guardians of humanity who safeguard Imperial worlds through fast and precise counter-offensives. Charged with the security of the Irea system and its surrounding sectors, a cautious gaze hides their fierce and exacting methods for crippling and then destroying their foes. Much like their progenitors the Iron Hands marines of the Verdant Phoenix chapter hold a deep seeded obsession for logic and advancement. Driven towards specialization, these precise warriors readily adapt to unseen challenges to make safe their sector of space.

 

Markings and Heraldry

 

Origins

"Our task is not a simple one. This chapter in its entirety hangs in the balance, and we must uncover the truth of their existence. While the loss of such an asset would be a tragedy and leave the Imperium lesser for it, the vile machinations of their founding must be ripped out root and stem. Start with these, Victoria. We will be here for some time." - Inquisitor Yusuph Trevar

Planting Seeds – The Founding

 

Manipulated into commission by Lord Vandire prior to the Age of Apostasy, the chapter has come a long way since its sinister origins. While plotting his ascent to power, Lord Vandire foresaw the Ecclesiarchy as his foremost obstacle and sought out many means to uproot them. Among these vile abuses of position was the founding of a few space marine chapters he hoped would one day serve to solidify his position; and among those Chapters was 'The Agriguard.'
Publicly the Chapter was to serve as a standing force to fortify of Irea and guard surrounding sectors. Several planets in the Irea system were agri worlds and, at the time, primary sources of food to several sectors including Ophelia. Ophelia VII, being one of the most sacred sites in the Imperium, was a place Vandire expected his enemies to congregate and so he sought to set the seeds of dominance in motion.

He ordered the Red Talons to oversee its founding. Vandire hoped that, by using a chapter that was already considered outcasts among their own, their successors might be easier to isolate and manipulate. Installing a puppet governor on the hive world Irea Primary was easy enough, and from there he incubated one of the many instruments of his rise to power.

Lord Vandire was, however, ambitious and moved quickly; he found his plans accelerating beyond the Chapters' development. By the time he managed to force the Ecclesiarchy's move to Ophelia, where they would begin to wither, the Chapter was still in its infancy and far from an asset to him. Even without the leverage to crush them entirely, Vandire had amassed enough political pull that such actions hardly seemed necessary. He looked elsewhere to supplement his military might and found it in the 'daughters of the emperor,' a secret cult of the Emperor's worshipers dedicated to ancient martial skills. While they were at first another obstacle in his way Lord Vandire manipulated them into devoting themselves to him alone, and empowered them to more advanced forms of warfare.

Eventually the Agriguard would become a fully fledged chapter, and fully under the influence of Vandire's puppets, but by that time his twisted reign had already come to an end. The inquisition came across the fledgling chapter in their duties to root out the last of Vandire's supporters nearly a century later, and after months of careful interrogations and record digging, they deemed that the Agriguard were far enough removed from his corruption that it would not be a further threat to the Imperium. A topic hotly debated at the time, their loyal devotion to their originally false task provided reasonable certainty of their uncorrupted intentions.
 

 

Into the Fire – The Blight of Irea

 

The Verdant Phoenix chapter technically began its existence as the 'Agriguard,’ founded somewhere in the Age of Apostasy. It wasn't until the events of Hive Fleet Golgotha's incursion that Master Tagion felt the need to rebrand and reorganize the chapter. For millennia they had faithfully defended their sectors of space; pushing back Waaaghs and keeping the peace. They spent their years hoping to atone for the twisted nature of their origins and finally in 771.M41, they got their chance.
The chapter in its entirety had joined Battlefleet Tempestus on route for Ultramar and the Behemoth invasion underway there, leaving Irea in the hands of its normal defenses. Under most circumstances they would have been more than enough, but these were far from normal circumstances.

The chapter took part in the battle of Macragge from orbit, spread across multiple warships they kept the decks clear of boarding organisms and allowed the navy time enough to do their jobs. Seeing the threat each splinter fleet might pose, they spent decades hunting down the various pockets of Tyranid organisms. Not alone, the Agriguard were among dozens of chapters and other imperial forces that met the task of exterminating the first of such a potent threat. Thankfully, most splinters would stop to feed quickly, seeking to replenish their lost strength.

It's not known if the splinter that laid its brood in the Irea system was a fragment of the defeated behemoth, or if they had existed in the milky way long before; but their origin mattered little at the time. It was a Watch Master of the Ordo Xenos who had been called to investigate mysterious activities on Issaen that first noticed the signs of invasion. Though the Tyranid threat seemed new, documentation of Genestealer activity did exist and Arcus had done his due diligence. The potential danger of such an organism running unchecked in Irea's growth stimulating atmospheres was not lost on the watchmaster. Who made all manner of preparations he could. He scrambled the local militarum, called for the aid of the adepta sororita stationed nearby; and called to the Agriguard who promptly left their mission to their battle brothers and made for home.

Efforts were made to stem the hive's spread, but to little avail. Local defense forces were exhausted as each mission sent to exterminate the known cells of genestealers were met with gross underestimations and carefully picked ambushes. The defenders were bled dry as the various pockets of Tyranid organisms quickly grew into armies of writhing biomass that consumed all in their path. The Agriguard returned home just as things were becoming dire, battle-weary but not exhausted from their hunt across the galaxy, and sought counsel with local command elements. The degree of infestation had become clear, Arcus explained that even with recent reinforcements they lacked the manpower and firepower to stop the splinter from becoming a fully fledged hive fleet and consuming the system. With the hive fleet so near to gain traction, and Irea positioned so close to Ophelia, the Watchmaster saw few options and proposed exterminatus.

After hours of deliberating, the watchmaster agreed to expand his counsel. Calling to him members of the local government, magos of the research station on Irea IV, as well as the surviving captains of the Agriguard to assist with such a heavy decision. Hours more of debate and discussion finally gave way to another strategy. They would ignite the unique atmosphere of each of the system's agri worlds to cleanse the surface, then go in on foot to clear the tunnels of spawning pools and remaining organisms. Irea Primary would be trickier, and the system’s defenders would need to retake the planet hive by hive, hunting down every last xenos in every nook and cranny. While this 'solution' would devastate the system and its inhabitants, it would ensure the worlds could be repaired by the end of the century and eventually give food again to the segmentum. To blast them out so utterly through exterminatus would result in the slow death of starvation for trillions; including the church. Each arm set out their part in the plan carefully. When the atmospheric triggers had been set by the Mechanicus, quarantines prepared by the Militarum, and bulwark readied by the Astartes and Sororitas; they struck in unison.

Chemical detonations in low orbit began a slow burn down towards the ground. Within minutes the surface temperature climbed to inhospitable levels as a thick black smog blanketed each world. The storm burned its way through once green plains and swallowed the agricultural operations, leaving blackened terrain beneath air that flickered with flame. Meanwhile, the forces of the imperium made their move on the hives. The militarum locked down the hives of Irea Primary and quarantined them into manageable sections. Maintenance corridors and even water and chemical pipes were sealed as civilization throughout the planet was put on hold for the culling to come. Finally, Navy ships waiting patiently in the crevices of the Irea system moved into position to blockade every major port available. Shipping traffic was halted and vessels searched one by one to ensure a full containment of the skulking threat. Then began phase 2.

Golgotha was cornered and seemed to know it; Xenos and sympathizers alike took to arms and began trying to break through their quarantine. seizing weapons and machines as they could, they slaughtered and consumed all they came across lashing out against their cages. The first, second, and tenth companies of the Agriguard were deployed to support the six militarum regiments who called the system their home and elements of the Deathwatch and Adeptes Sororitas in Irea’s hives. Section by section they fought, slashing, burning, and gunning their way through the infestation. Civilians were screened and evacuated as possible, but given limited strength they had to stick to their schedule. Anything even mildly suspicious was dealt with as heavy hand as was required. After a few weeks, the sections that remained uncleared had been wiped completely and already begun to break their cages in places to establish contact with one another. This made resistance even more fierce, but despite the strain and casualties the imperial forces pushed deeper and deeper. As they descended level by level, it became increasingly clear that Irea’s defenders had found themselves in enemy territory. Facing guerilla warfare at its finest the warriors of humanity were gnashed and clawed at from every angle, but still they pressed on.

Across the system, standing amidst the burning sky, the remaining marines of the Agriguard began their descent into Golgotha’s tunnels and spawning pits. Originally it seemed the tunnels would bottleneck the tyranid forces, but after a certain depth ravenous burrowing creatures began to actively surround and overwhelm smaller teams that left their main contingent. Thus began a months-long arms race with man and alien outwitting each other with increasingly desperate tactics and equipment. Eventually what turned the tide was input from the Adeptes Mechanicus who outfitted personal teleporters to the chapter’s terminators to allow both deployment and extraction. Veteran teams would make their way down with teleport homers, and heavy armament would be warped in to deal with any serious resistance that came upon them. The added mobility allowed the Agriguard to spread thinner and react with even more fluidity than the xenos, finally beginning to lose meaningful ground.

After nearly a year of hunting, battling, and burning their way through the Irea system; victory was finally in sight.

The splinter hive Golgotha had been exhausted. Worn thin by the scorching of their food sources and surgically cut from the cities of Irea Primary, the hive fleet began to scatter and was run down by warships contributed by the Imperial Navy. A sigh of relief blanketed the system and as news of victory reached the ears of the Ecclesiarchy, preparations began to funnel resources into the system's repair. The Agriguard, all but spent, had broken their knuckles upon the beast’s skull. Reduced to a mere three hundred marines, the chapter was devastated but absolved. 

 

Rising from the Ashes – The birth of the Phoenix

 

Promptly following the blight, as many had begun to call it, the newly appointed Director Aelia Corrilan set her own plans in motion for the Irea system. She directed the mechanicus to begin their work in atmospheric repair and to assign resources and personnel not needed there to survey the damage within Irea’s hives and industrial complexes. The task of managing the needs of the wounded and terrified populace fell primarily to the elements of the Adepta Sororitas that remained after the fighting with full backing from local military elements. Representatives of the Ecclesiarchy came with offers of resources, equipment, and personnel; which the remaining elements of the imperial navy were charged with gathering and bringing them safely to Irea. She met frequently with Master Taigon of the Agriguard over the following months, and together they kept a careful balance between the many imperial factions that had flocked to Irea seeking to expand in the wake of destruction. A system of such strategic importance, everyone seemed to want a piece of the power held there; and only through deft political maneuvering with the director managed to maintain her seat of control while making full use of what was offered to her. The strings attached to such gifts cut before being accepted to avoid any faction gaining more influence than any other, most importantly the governing body.

While the day had been won, many of Irea’s people seemed to blame the Agriguard’s absence for what had happened. Direct involvement was needed, and with some coaxing offered by the chapter in rebuilding efforts. The chapter as a whole took a vow not to clean the soot and tar from their armour until the system was restored, and they took a hands-on approach to their involvement. In security and policing, but over the years many marines could be also found assisting with some of the more difficult or sensitive construction programs. Not just as laborers for their strength and stamina, but as coordinators and adjudicators for their meticulous intelligence and absolute authority. Nearly fifty years later, the last of Irea Primary’s hive cities was reopened with a massive festival and celebration across the system. It was at this event that Director Corrilan offered the floor to Master Taigon to unveil his chapter’s rebranding and re-organization. In recognition of their failure to get ahead of the threat of Golgotha, and the damage that came from that failure, the Agriguard would wear the black stain on their armour for the rest of time. The chapter, with its numbers mostly replenished, was put on parade in their new colors with words of reassurance and doubled commitment. Where the Agriguard had fallen, the Verdant Phoenix would rise to take its place. New practices and equipment would see to the defense of Irea, and to the end of the Imperium's enemies at large. 

    The chapter’s transformation was significant. Not just in colors and name but in structure and operating procedures. Looking at the failures and triumphs over the campaign to save Irea, there was much to learn. With them made possible only by denying the inquisition its destructive solution, Taigon found discontent in that which had become standard and sacred to the Astartes. This after returning to Irea with a copy of Calgar’s own codex, seeing the power of its wisdom brought to bear with incredible effect, it left the chapter master torn. Centuries of service with not so much as a second thought, and the aftermath of the blight found him lost in contemplation daily. No longer content with how things had been, merely seeking to serve and succeed; Taigon made the decision that he must grow. Grow stronger, grow smarter; and that the chapter must grow with him. Better supply lines, methods of deployment, training, wargear; if the sector was to be made safe they had to improve.
    Something in the quiet of Taigon’s brain had woken up. An ancient and furious hunger for perfection, overshadowed perhaps by attempts to absolve the chapter’s origins, was now unleashed. It coursed through his veins and burned into his mind, like the flames of the phoenix. Undeniable, unyielding, and unending.

 

Homeworld

"Ah, the great bread-basket of Tempestus! I know it well, and I'll tell you now there's nothing you can offer that will make me smuggle through that port no sir. The place is crawling with sisters and arbiters, and the Verdant sometimes meander the docks. I'd be a poor and foolish bastard to put myself on the cross side of that I'll tell you." - Unknown Lowlife

Irea System

A hub of trade and economic activity, Irea has come a long way since its reconstruction during the blight. For hundreds of years it has sat as an asset too valuable to lose, and many imperial factions have supported its growth to ensure its security. Primarily an agricultural juggernaut, Irea boasts three agri-worlds that supply much of the food needed throughout its sector of the Segmentum Tempestus. Thanks to its existence and position, many worlds enjoy expansion unhindered by sustenance concerns and thanks to that expansion, Irea has enjoyed access to any and all resources it’s ever needed to support its own growth. Included in its sphere of exports is the Ophelia system, and many of the supporting worlds that maintain the Ecclesiarchy’s position there. 

Irea Primary

The specific homeworld of the Verdant Phoenix chapter is Irea Primary, which is also the most populated and the economic hub for the entire system. Primarily a Hive world, it houses the logistical backbone of the whole system while also containing much of the system’s industrial infrastructure. Most Imperial factions maintain a notable presence on world, including three lesser orders of the Adepta Sororitas, an inquisitorial headquarters, Irea’s two Militarum regiments, a Naval academy, numerous arms of the Adeptes Arbites, and relatively large detachment the Adeptes Mechanicus. Oddly, Irea Primary is one of the less suitable candidates for life and it’s position of importance within the system came about purely as a coincidence. When the system was originally settled it acted as a staging ground for the research of the unique atmospheres present in the system; and that head start solidified its position as a hub.

 

Geography

 

Irea Primary’s surface is a rocky and bleak one, mostly covered with jagged or sandy terrain. While its surface is mostly mundane minerals, the planet’s crust has large quantities of iron and other useful metals which have been mined for centuries. Four acidic oceans cover a decent portion of its landmass, but it supports a thin yet breathable atmosphere. There is no local fauna or flora, but some species of thin grass-like plants have been imported and allowed to spread. 

Populace

Spoiler

Irea Primary’s most prominent features are its eight hive cities, which dot its otherwise empty landscape. Despite its breathable atmosphere, these hives are built sealed from the outside as the population density within would lead to serious oxygen deprivation in some areas of the city. Airlocks allow for easy access to the outside, but the internal atmosphere is completely recycled from within. Situated within a massive agricultural operation, studies of biology, physiology, nutrition, and of the Irean atmosphere’s (and their effect on alien flora/fauna) are heavily emphasized within local education. The products of this emphasis can be seen in community and personal gardens, diverse food selection, cooking/recipe experimentation, and food subsidy programs that put potential waste to use eliminating hunger. Recent centuries have seen significant development to the world’s industrial sector, including increased presence from the Adeptes Mechanicus. Director Corrilan has leaned on their input heavily to combat the once-rising poverty levels and provide purpose to I-3’s skyrocketing population. Finally, Irea’s strategic importance as a system has required a notable military presence and general enlistment is shared between its many military arms. Candidates are tested and scored as one homogenous group, and then dispatched to either the Militarum, Sororitas, Astartes, Arbites, or Navy as best suits their capabilities. This has led to notable cooperation, but also competition as the various factions fight over the most capable recruits. 
Thanks to the direct presence of the Sororitas as civil servants on world, issues of faith or loyalty are tackled directly even if not always completely. The world’s hives are too dense and populated to maintain a perfectly unified citizen body, but direct involvement of authority figures has helped to maintain relative peace. Where such endeavours fail, the Adeptes Arbites have sought to pick up the slack and do their best to detain power players in the underhive gang wars and submit them into forced labour or military service. 

Governing Bodies

Spoiler

Irea Primary’s most prominent features are its eight hive cities, which dot its otherwise empty landscape. Despite its breathable atmosphere, these hives are built sealed from the outside as the population density within would lead to serious oxygen deprivation in some areas of the city. Airlocks allow for easy access to the outside, but the internal atmosphere is completely recycled from within. Situated within a massive agricultural operation, studies of biology, physiology, nutrition, and of the Irean atmospheres (and their effect on alien flora/fauna) are heavily emphasized within local education. The products of this emphasis can be seen in community and personal gardens, diverse food selection, cooking/recipe experimentation, and food subsidy programs that put potential waste to use eliminating hunger. Recent centuries have seen significant development to the world’s industrial sector, including increased presence from the Adeptus Mechanicus. Director Corrilan has leaned on their industrial development heavily to provide purpose to Irea Primary’s skyrocketing population. Finally, Irea’s strategic importance as a system has required a notable military presence and general enlistment is shared between its many military arms. Candidates are tested and scored as one homogenous group, and then dispatched to either the Militarum, Sororitas, Astartes, Arbites, or Navy as best suits their capabilities. This has led to notable cooperation, but also competition as the various factions fight over the most capable recruits. 
Thanks to the direct presence of the Sororitas as civil servants on world, issues of faith or loyalty are tackled directly even if not always completely. The world’s hives are too dense and populated to maintain a perfectly unified citizen body, but direct involvement of authority figures has helped to maintain relative peace. Where such endeavours fail, the Adeptes Arbites have sought to pick up the slack and do their best to detain power players in the underhive gang wars and submit them into forced labour or military service. 
 

Industry and Economy

 

Economically speaking, Irea Primary is an export hub that supplies many nearby systems with food and imports all manner of necessary equipment and consumer goods to maintain its position. As the local agricultural operation has grown, Primary has created industrial sectors to maintain itself as self-sufficient as possible within the confines of necessary goods. Additionally, with the many military, religious, and logistics bodies present on Irea Primary have grown so too have their needs; and the local industry does its best to meet them. Thanks to this relatively newfound industrial interest and the agricultural juggernaut present across the system, poverty is kept relatively low and the system maintains enough excess to afford most of its citizens a few hours to themselves each day along with a few scattered celebrations to the imperium’s glory. While the populace affords a meager service sector to attend to its most wealthy, the vast majority of its workforce is made up of primary and secondary industries. 

Other Orbital Bodies

Spoiler

Issol, Issaen, and Issrah - The source of Irea’s agricultural juggernaut, these three worlds possess a unique compound within their atmospheres that acts as an incredible growth stimulant. While it is cancerous to humans and most animals, it accelerates the growth of many plants and drastically improves yields. Each world is nearly covered with layers of farms and plantations, taking full advantage of the unique compound and recycling it back into the atmosphere. While it has been successfully replicated, the resources required to do so are counter productive to any widespread use.

Issai - During the blight of Irea, its agri worlds were set aflame to slow Hive Fleet Golgotha’s advance and later repaired with terraforming equipment. Issai was the first to begin its restoration process, but initial oversights led to a catastrophic failure that prolonged its atmospheric blaze for centuries. To this day, its molten surface and blazing sky stand as a reminder to what the system has suffered, and the cost of mistakes.

Kalth - Irea Primary’s closest moon, Kalth is barren and holds only a few military and logistical compounds. Here the system’s security and coordination is maintained by entire corps of intelligence, communications, and technical officers. The inquisition can often be found moving about the planet’s many stations to scrutinize, and also maintain a warehouse compound that stores most of their equipment and resources far from prying eyes.

Moira - Well on its way to becoming an ecumenopolis of sorts, Irea Primary’s second moon has been gifted wholly to the mechanicum in exchange for their development in the system. Factories and refineries cover its barren landscape, and over the centuries it has developed a mild atmosphere of smoke and smog. While the majority of production is still done on Irea primary, military and other sensitive manufacturing and engineering is done on Moira.

The Eddies - The moons of Irea’s eleventh planet have been dubbed ‘the Eddies.’ So named because their intertwined orbits lead to chaotic gravity fields that have long been used by the local Imperial Naval Academy for training purposes. Those who can master their vessels within the turbulence they provide go on to be choice captains, and have given Irea’s academy a reputation for excellence.
 

 

Gene-Seed

"Welcome back brother, I look forward to watching you grow again. Tell me, what do you remember?" - Brother Rasgir, Apothecary of the Second Company

The Verdant are host to a stable but flawed gene-seed that has warped their self-image and challenged their faith for millennia. A subtle mutation in the Progenoid glands causes them to retrieve more than simple genetic data but also neurological data from the brain of the marine that seeded them. Contained in the Proto-Omophagea as it develops, this data is stored chemically and can be transferred to its new host upon re-implantation in the form of impulses and hallucinations, even memories at times. While these symptoms do not always develop, they can be startling if and when they do. Fortunately, on a biological level the mutation is very difficult to spot, and even then seems like it would have little effect on the system. Only by successfully re-implanting a progenoid that has been used over a full lifetime are the effects apparent.

It's unclear when the mutation itself began to appear, over centuries of service its easy for such things to go unnoticed as marines refuse to disclose something that may classify them unfit for duty. It's believed it came about in M39 when the chapter’s implant success rates began to decline from ten to six percent. Since then Apothecaries have sought to understand and document it in secret, and it has become central to the chapter’s culture-even more so since their transition.

Where once it was a coveted secret only discussed by the closest of battle brothers unfortunate enough to be afflicted by it, the sparks (as they're called) are now a welcomed occurrence. Marines within the chapter now trace their lineages back through time, trying to trigger episodes where they can pull from the experiences of their ancestors. Better yet, Marines in combat now allow themselves to be taken by these episodes rather than fighting them. Acting as their ancestors and pulling from skills they may not have mastered yet, these marines are beginning to conquer the drawbacks of their mutation that can incapacitate those who fight to keep control of themselves.

Initiates have, since adopting these practices, taken less and less time to train; and the chapter phased out its scout company long before crossing the rubicon. Combat simulations seem to spark these experiences, especially in those of particularly old lineages. This has helped to offset the lower success rates in surgery, but even still the Chapter has to take in more recruits than normal to maintain fighting strength. Also, many marines object to having their implants removed before death, coveting the opportunity to impart their experiences on the next generation. This has put pressure on the chapter's medics, as each soldier who is not harvested on the battlefield is a severe disappointment to their comrades, and can even draw rage on the fallen's behalf.
 

Chapter Recruitment

“You have to be forward thinking. Men can always be made available to you as recruits, but it will be easier if they want to. Send your marines out now, when Irea is at its weakest. Lend their formidable labor and intellect to the reconstruction of our system. The men they aid will be too old for your purposes, but the boys... They won’t soon forget it. And when they come of age they’ll line the streets to fight for you.” - Director Aelia Corrilan

The Verdant recruit exclusively from the Irea system. Its governing bodies have long fulfilled their commitment to the chapter's recruiting quotas, providing a mixture of volunteers and conscripts as needed. Since Irea recruits for its many military operations together, veteran marines and even officers stationed on world will regularly visit recruiting centers to encourage and oversee. Once recruits have finished their preliminary testing, those who meet the chapter’s serious requirements are separated and organized into aspirant groups. These teams of aspirants often find the proud and exceptionally educated volunteers tested alongside gangsters of Irea Primary’s hives, encouraging them to rely on one another's strengths to advance. Focused on finding strong warriors but also capable tacticians, those in charge of screening tend to favor aspirants who work together to solve problems with efficiency and forethought. Perhaps the most sought traits of all are analytical thinking and humility, as the chapter's tactics often find small groups tackling large problems there is rarely room for error or pride.

Through their tests, aspirants have results demanded of them first, followed by efficiency, and finally speed. Most notably, unlike many chapters that put individual recruits through their trials, the Verdant Phoenix chapter organizes almost entirely group tests that require teamwork to succeed. Most groups succeed or fail together, but in some outlying cases individuals prove themselves so worthy even among a failing group that they are given another chance with another group; or sometimes those in successful groups contribute so little that they are failed outright.

The final test and trial for aspirant marines is the only one they take alone, and it involves surviving one hour on the scorched surface of Issai. Most go into this trial assuming it to be a test of physical endurance, withstanding the scorching heat and toxic fumes; but that couldn't be farther from the truth. Those who fall prey to this misconception find their lungs full of soot and ash while their clothes and then skin and tissue burn and boil away. The trial instead is about resourcefulness. Aspirants must first locate a cave and quickly, as their flesh begins to burn and peel away within minutes. Once underground and away from the ignited  atmosphere they must then navigate to a safe spot in the pitch black and count the hour out. Too deep and their scorched limbs may not be able to carry them out, too shallow and they'll pass out and suffocate slowly. They must then demonstrate the calm and focus necessary to count the remaining minutes with exceptional precision. Emerge too soon, and they will likely die before making it back to their hiding spot. Emerge too late, and the serfs who brought them there will have left.

The aspirants who pass their trials are brought to the fortress monastery to begin their surgeries, and surviving that: their new life.

 

Chapter Cult and Culture

“It is the Emperor’s flame that lights the way. That flame that keeps back the gnashing cold of the void and it is that flame by which the spirit is cleansed of weakness. For you today, Brother, it relieves you of your hubris. For your enemies tomorrow, it will relieve them of their flesh.” - Chaplain Romu of the 2nd company, to a disciplined marine.

While the Verdant Phoenix chapter has long since embraced a pragmatic approach to most affairs, they still maintain their own form of zealotry. Most prominently fire is seen as its own form of holy symbol, and in the eyes of the chapter it is the preferred tool by which to devastate the Emperor’s enemies as well as burn weakness out of themselves. Chaplains of the chapter carry pyres ignited by Issai’s still burning skies, and similarly sourced flames adorn the halls of their fortress monastery. Prayer and penance are both taken before the flame, and burn scars are common among older marines. Because of this mild obsession, Battle brothers carry nothing flammable into battle. No tabards or books, not even purity seals which can draw the ire of other chapters. Instead their armour is anointed with holy oils, entire texts written out invoking the emperor’s protection and strength that is then burned away to cement its sanctity. These rites of purity are written out by the marines themselves, and normally cemented through ignition by the chapter’s chaplains upon inspection. Additionally, each of the chapter’s ten battle barges carries a massive pyre lit and then carried aloft from Issai’s surface which is used in such rituals while its company is abroad.
 
Perhaps the most pervasive tenant in their lives is towards reformation and improvement. While this takes many forms, from technological innovation to behavioral conditioning, it has proved itself the driving force behind most of the major changes the chapter has undergone since its rebirth. Their gene-seed too has reinforced ideologies of constant advancement and nothing is beyond reproach within the chapter’s organization. While they do not suffer from the body dysmorphia of their progenitors, it has led to some unfortunate issues when taken to the extreme; neophytes exercising or training themselves to death for example. It has however made the chapter stronger and a more effective war machine in the Emperor’s name. Modified equipment to better suit their specific charge and tactics, as well as the chance to discuss and second guess leadership decisions have both led to unlikely victories over the centuries. It does lead to at times difficult situations with other arms of the Imperial military, namely other chapters, where the input of those lowest on the chain of command is not as welcome. Still, the constant pressure to become better and leave a stronger legacy is at the heart of the chapter, and they have long since outgrown denying it.

Cooperation is also held very close to the heart of most battle brothers, who have held good and close relationships with several of the Imperium's military and civilian organizations. Used to commanding elements of the Militarum on the field and assisting citizens on the streets, the chapter’s marines are better socialized than most and look upon humanity’s plebs as guardians and teachers would. This often can conflict with their loathing for weakness and can snap to rage in the face of exceptional incompetence or impudence; but these instances are relatively rare. 
Brothers of the Verdant Phoenix have a very specific relationship with their Sisters of Battle, close enough that many of their orders are welcome within the halls of the chapter’s fortress monastery from time to time. Their actions during the Blight of Irea inspired centuries of cooperation and trust, and a bond that has only grown stronger over time. While would-be marines start their lives among the chapter young and ignorant but eager to learn, the sisters who they come into contact with are always experienced and vigilant; and neophytes are encouraged to learn from them. Apothecaries especially get a good portion of their training from the orders hospitallier and meet their medical colleagues as kin. Chaplains as well commune with members of the faithful and hold the unrivaled devotion of the Sororitas in very high esteem even through disagreement on semantics.
The Mechanicus as well, from their active forge on Moira, are responsible for most Verdant Phoenix equipment and war machines. Not just for their production, but the innovation of the chapter’s tools of war is owed primarily to the techpriests they work with. While they don’t interact as much as other elements of the Imperium, and rarely on the battlefield; the chapter still regards them as worthy allies and of common objectives.
 

The Rubicon

With the return of Guilliman and the start of the Indomitus Crusade, a new rhetoric has entered the halls of the fortress monastery. Their practices of advancement vindicated with Cawls new inventions, a swirl of vigour has taken hold of the chapter and few are positioned to stop their now rampant pursuit of new practices and equipment. Entire companies were rotated out of active duty to cross the Rubicon together, seeking newfound power in a newfound form. Performing the surgery with Apothecaries rather than servitors, the chapter has managed to reduce failed implantations to just under twenty seven percent. But the losses have still been considerable, and ever vigilant recruiting methods have been needed to keep up. Thankfully, few marines see death as a deterrent; especially knowing their seed would be harvested immediately for future use.

 

 

Battlefield Doctrine

Where their strength and resolve was tested for millennia as the Agriguard, the Verdant Phoenix chapter has entered an era of refinement and reorganization that has endured for centuries. Historically their tactics were influenced heavily by the Red Talons, relying on bombardment and warmachines to face the brunt of the enemy, but since the blight and reformation these tactics have been built upon and specialized to suit a specific role. Simple and blind adherence to old wisdom is behind them, and the chapter has long been reevaluating each and every battlefield practice they once held dear. 

At its core, Verdant Phoenix battlefield doctrine surrounds Irea and its defense. As the chapter’s influence and resources have grown, other important worlds such as Ophelia have found themselves within its watchful guardianship and in turn shaped their methods of war. Due to Irea’s unique atmospheric asset, it is absolutely imperative that certain types of threats never make planetfall onto its agri worlds. Orks stand the most to gain from the local stimulant, but Tyranids also are considered potentially system ending threats. Of course the blight seared into the system’s history has left a mighty scar, but as the worlds have grown and become even more important and a similarly destructive event would have an even more devastating impact on the segmentum. As such, the system’s director has taken all efforts to obfuscate the system’s importance while the local armed forces have taken up a proactive method of eliminating threats that even arrive in nearby systems. At their center, the space marines of the Verdant Phoenix stand ready and waiting to strike at anything unfamiliar within thousands of lightyears. 

Deploying as full companies, often to threats not fully known until arrival, the chapter has slowly shifted to an organization of self sufficiency where each company can operate wholly autonomously. Traveling to, engaging in, and returning from conflicts must also be done quickly so as not to leave any threat unattended, and the chapter employs considerable support staff to maintain efficiency and speed. Traditionally, brief recon periods are followed by precise and relentless bombardment to make way for meticulously planned troop deployments, shattering any hope for cohesion and overpowering whatever resistance remains. These simple steps have been put to great effect over centuries, and the captains that coordinate them have learned to adapt them to any threat they are called to face. In all cases, the Verdant will always keep their marines as close to support assets as possible and heavily depend on vehicle transports and firepower to move in force. 
 
In newfound Primaris form and with the equipment and tactics that come with them, the chapter has embraced grav-tanks for rapid deployment from orbit post-bombardment. Additionally, each company fields one dedicated vanguard squad made up of the company's most veteran soldiers. These squads are often deployed pre-bombardment to gather intelligence and identify key targets as recon and early strike units. Often smaller conflicts can be resolved with their careful application alone, but they will often harass enemies into more favorable positions for precise orbital strike. While this recent change to their combat practices has taken some time to be fully realized, Verdant Phoenix companies have noted an increase of combat efficiency since employing widespread vanguard deployment.
 
These tactics have proven consistently successful and easily adapted to suit new threats the chapter faces, but commanders are always wary of enemies ready for their common tactics and look for opportunities to experiment with new methods and strategies.

 

Chapter Organization

High Command

 

The chapter's headquarters, dubbed 'High Command,' primarily encompasses Master Taigon and his guard, but also extends to the Chapter Champion Ehterra, each company captain, and the chapter's few librarians. They form the core of the chapter's strategic decision makers, who will each invite necessary individuals from in and outside the chapter to weigh in on briefings as needed.

While the chapter's champion and honor guard may seem like more ceremonial positions dedicated to protecting the chapter master and other key assets, they are actually renowned tacticians picked from middle ranking officers who show promise (often lieutenants deserving of the position of captain, where the position above them is contently filled). Because of this High Command, despite deploying together, is rarely grouped in one location and instead spreads out to offer their expertise wherever needed. They congregate only in times of the utmost severity, bringing upon the enemy a spearhead of insurmountable combatants with centuries of combat experience behind them.

Battle Companies

Spoiler

 

 

The Verdant Phoenix chapter has come a long way since its inception, and the structure of its line companies are indications of many of the changes they've undergone along the way. Each company sports only ninety marines instead of the normal hundred, plus another forty or so command and support elements. At the head of each company stands a Captain, a proven tactician and tested warrior who wields the marines under his charge as his weapons of war. His nine most veteran marines are congregated into the company's vanguard squad specialized in reconnaissance and sabotage. Rather than moved into one veteran company, each company's vanguard becomes a place of honour for each marine to strive towards. Held up on high by their brothers, the vanguard dive deep into enemy territory and put their legacy at risk to ensure the rest of the company can be properly deployed.
The rest of each company is organized into three platoons which can operate autonomously if necessary. Commanded by a Lieutenant, these platoons comprise of three nine man squads and have one each of Apothecary and Techmarine permanently assigned to them (who each often have a few staff members to support them). These infantry elements are transported into battle by repulsors, and supported by two Executioner pattern vehicles for active fire support. The squads themselves are commanded by a sergeant who carries their squad's long range communication array and is further split into two four-man fire teams. This combat formation covers ground quickly, and can deploy on flanks or run down the enemy with ease. With ample firepower to engage a multitude of targets and the experience to meet, there is little they can't effectively combat.
Where most chapters designate specific squads to specific tasks the Verdant Phoenix chapter has embraced their ease of training and has all marines practiced to competence on every piece of wargear in the chapter's arsenal. This allows each lieutenant to respond to data sent in from the company's vanguard, and gives them full operation fluidity to meet the challenges ahead.

Armoury

 

Core to the chapter's operations, the Armoury manufactures, maintains, and provides the chapter's companies with vehicles and warmachines with which to advance. They are also responsible for coordinating with local sections of the mechanicum to satisfy their ever increasing need for innovations and improvements. The chief-most techmarine, known as the Forgemaster, oversees the training and deployment of his techmarines. Members of the Armoury are often spread between Irea Primary and Moira, either working tirelessly in the fortress monastery on the maintenance and repair of active equipment or working with civilian elements on innovation and improvement of equipment designs.
The mechanical contingent of the Armoury is considerable, boasting hundreds of vehicles spread across multiple systems between active duty and repairs. The most common among these is the Escort pattern repulsor, which serves as the primary transport assigned to each line squad. With a slimmed down turret and reduced weaponry, they're easy on resources to produce and lighter for fuel efficiency; making them ideal for the chapter's famous sweeping advances. Executioner pattern repulsors form the backbone of heavy support, acting as a line battle tank and assigned en masse to every company. Astraeus super-heavy tanks are common as well, produced in the forges of Moira and tested on the fields of battle; most companies have at least two assigned to their active operations.

Dreadnoughts of course have long been viewed with contempt by the chapter's marines, but the new Invictor pattern warsuit has drawn the attention of the Armoury's techmarines. While its focus on stealth fire-support is unsuitable for most of the company commanders, active efforts are being made to transfer the armour and weaponry of most dreadnought designs onto its more desirable piloted frame.

Apothecarion

 

The Verdant Phoenix’s reverence of genetic legacy and rebirth through new generations has put a serious pressure on the chapter’s apothecaries to leave no man behind. While they have risen to the challenge, it has taken notable restructuring in company organization and battle tactics as well as added support staff, equipment, and training to get there. The resulting competence and efficiency on the field has led to a sort of reverence for apothecaries among the chapter, held to a higher standard but also honoured and celebrated at every turn. This can also produce a distance between them and the battle brothers that think them above the line, but never enough to truly isolate them. 
Apothecary initiates among the chapter are educated not only within the fortress monastery but also with notable input from the Order of the Burning heart, the local order hospitaller. They learn to triage, treat, and transport not only their brethren but also human civilians as well. While their battle brothers always take precedence in combat, Verdant apothecaries have been known to save the lives of imperial citizens caught in the crossfire as well. 

The highest ranking apothecary (currently Brother Aedar Vlorumn) and his senior staff are known as ‘Retainers’ for their efforts in preserving the chapter’s lineages. 

Reclusiam

 

Chaplains of the Verdant Phoenix hold two specific and sacred duties that maintain order, unity, and faith throughout the chapter. Primarily, they act as spiritual leaders who inspire devotion and vindication among their brothers. While their chapter’s pragmatism denies these unwavering officers many of the ornate badges of their station common in other chapters, chaplains of the chapter still bear the skull mask on their helmet and carry their standard tools of the trade into battle (Crozius Arcanum and Rosarius). They guide the marines of their company in prayer, and lead them in hymns and songs prior to (and sometimes during) battle. Secondly, members of the Reclusiam look after the psychological well being of their battle-brothers and act as a go-between from the line and its officers. They hear the concerns and conflicts beset on their brethren and not only advise them but also make the judgment call of when officers need to be made aware of them. While apothecaries are the most celebrated members of the chapter, chaplains are certainly the most trusted.
In battle, Verdant chaplains carry on their backs a brazier ignited from their company’s battle barge which is in turn lit from the fires of Issai’s burning atmosphere. Carrying with them the flame of Irea, they inspire the brothers around them to greatness.

The highest ranking chaplain (currently Brother Dram Dhokar) is known as ‘Keeper of the Flame.’ Curiously, few new chaplains join the rank whose ancestry do not include former chaplains. This has led to the tradition of calling such officers ‘The Risen,’ and many of their brothers will refer to them by their seed-sire’s name.

Librarius

Spoiler

The Verdant Phoenix chapter is very reclusive about its training of Librarians, and neophytes that show any form of psychic potential are separated from their training groups early. An entire wing of the Fortress Monastery is set aside exclusively for Librarians and members of the chapter’s High Command, and its inner workings are a mystery to much of the chapter let alone the outsiders. Despite this special treatment, Librarians assigned to the chapter’s companies don’t seem to display any significant increase in capability or stamina over similar members of other chapters. Most assume this has to do with their mutation causing complications for psykers, kept secret from the chapter as the mutation itself is kept hidden from much of the outside world; but nothing has ever been formally confirmed.

Fortress Monastery

Spoiler

Given a wide berth by the planet’s Hive cities, the fortress monastery of the Verdant Phoenix chapter sits atop Irea Primary’s surface. Seemingly placed at random on the planet’s barren surface, its formidable structure is subtle in its design. Placed near the southern pole of the planet to make optimal bombardment impossible, in a valley to allow open ground for firing upon advances from any direction but with few good landing sites from which to launch said advances. Its walls are plain and its structure seems small even if sufficiently armed, but the majority of the structure lies underground where attack is more difficult. Levels of chambers and sub-systems descend deep underground, structured with trap-laden pockets added to prevent subterranean assault. After the near successful incursion during the blight, fought off only by the quick thinking and arguably dubious of the chapter’s serfs, no expense has been spared in its development.
The fortress’ interior is, as one might expect, adorned with braziers and iconography befitting of any who would bear the symbol of the Phoenix. Winged imagery and flames carried from the burning world itself decorate every corridor and chamber, clashing with the chapter’s un-adorned power armour. What’s less expected, however, are the gardens and kitchens. Bearing fruit and vegetables of all kinds, warriors of the chapter take cooking among their rest period activities and take great pride in experimenting with flavours and textures. Not only that, but many marines will claim some of the garden plots as their own, directing serfs on what to plant and studying their growing cycles. 
The Armoury too is larger than one might expect, engulfing several layers of the fortress with bays for vehicle maintenance and repair, manufacturing parts and equipment, as well as avenues for deployment directly onto the planet’s surface. 

Chapter Fleet
“What do you think? Director Corrilan had intended for it to be a gift, bartered it away from some trader, Alano Duran I think was his name. Rough condition or course, but if I recall you Astartes like a challenge.” - Vao Golha, Irean Sector Steward

Spoiler

At the heart of the Verdant’s combat doctrine is their chapter fleet, which is broken up among its autonomous companies. While two of its original three battle barges remain in service under the second and seventh companies, the rest have converted various suitable craft to fulfill a similar role. Despite Irea’s considerable shipyard, the Imperial Navy demands the entirety of its production. The chapter instead repairs and retrofits whatever they can get their hands on and make quite the task of it for their techmarines. When particularly impressive specimens become available they become a prolonged project of engineering coveted by the Verdant. A notable example is the Mars class battlecruiser that would eventually become the first company’s flagship, where over several years in dock no less than thirty techmarines took part in its restoration during their shore leave between campaigns.
The benefits of sharing their homeworld with a naval academy however shine through in the availability of seriously competent officers lining up for the opportunity to serve the chapter. The support staff of each company fleet is primarily made up not of servitors but of trained and dedicated personnel. Technically loaned out to the chapter, they fold into the traditional command structure of the Imperial Navy. And while they often follow the instructions of their Astartes suzerains to the letter, this has led to the occasional clash of command. While the Verdant are often tolerant of strategic input, officers that deliver their disagreements with callous hubris are known to be shot where they stand.
Each company’s splinter fleet varies in size and composition with their needs but also with what’s available. While some are made up of as few as three ships, the seventh company fleet was as large as twenty at its peak. When spearheading conflicts these battle groups are known to attach themselves to standard Imperial fleets, deploying their smaller strike cruisers as innocuous craft among them only to peel off towards their objectives at the first opportunity. Usually though, the Verdant are deployed to ongoing conflicts and further support craft are unnecessary. Arriving on site for immediate deployment and retrieval upon completing their objectives.

[REDACTED]

"You have my word, director, the system will never be without its protectors. Never." - Chapter Master Taigon

Spoiler

The chapter's best kept secret, their 11th company hides away in the deepest levels of their fortress training non stop. The true fate of the chapter's psykers, more prevalent and potent than the chapter dare reveal, they form the final line of defense for Irea's darkest hours. Made up of stoic and single minded warriors, the astartes of this elite company bear specialized equipment for rapid deployment at a moment's notice and are supported by the chapter's few unfortunate dreadnoughts forgotten to history. Their captain, [REDACTED], has inhabited a leviathan dreadnought since before the blight and expects a similar level of dedication from those put under his charge. 
Deployed only once in their history, the eleventh company put down a chaos cult that grew too much for local forces to bear in a brief window of their brethren's absence. Striking and then returning to the warp in mere moments, even those present to witness the slaughter could claim nothing more than flashes and then silence. Even into modern times, their existence is known only to the highest officers of the chapter, and the serfs assigned to them see no faces but theirs for as long as they live.

Notable Members

WIP

History

WIP

Edited July 17, 2023 by FoxLGV

[FoxLGV]

To leave my little blurb here, this is my homebrew chapter: 'the Phoenix Legion.' 
I've been working on it on and off since fifth edition when I (as a kid) spray painted black over my green models because I wanted to try a new colour scheme. The poorly coated marines with patches of green showing out from under their new colours formed the original inspiration for what has become a pretty expansive chapter concept. It's gone through many revisions, but I think I'm finally comfortable enough with it to post my designs and get feedback. I still consider it a WIP, so anything and everything is subject to change, and I'd love to get some input.

I'm not particularly well versed in 40k lore outside of what I've specifically researched for this project, so I expect there will be large holes I need to fill.
I'm looking to expand a few of these sections and get the last three filled out and uploaded soon, but I'd really appreciate really any input your guys have on things that are good, bad, or just don't fit with the grimdark setting. And if there are any sections you're interested to hear about that I haven't included here, please don't hesitate to let me know. I'd love to expand my concept further and flesh it out fully.

Thanks in advance.

Edited September 9, 2019 by FoxLGV

[Bjorn Firewalker]

This IA is imaginative and well thought, for the most part. My main concerns are the following:

 

1) The name "Phoenix LEGION" (emphasis mine) may raise concerns among the Inquisition regarding Chapters engaging in "Legion building" and seeking to become the next Lufgt Huron- doubly so in M42, now that Guilliman rules as Lord Regent. Before you cite the Mentor Legion as an example, note recent Games Workshop publications name the Chapter "Mentors," intentionally omitting the word "Legion."

 

2) Your IA states Irea III is a hive world; IV is a forge world; V, VI, and VIII are agri worlds... What happened to Irea VII? Was the Ordo Xenos forced to conduct an Exterminatus on that planet? Was it an uninhabitable rock, useless to humans and Tyranids alike, in the first place?

 

3) For the Chapter to allow Genestealer cults to be founded on multiple planets in Irea- including the Chapter planet- suggests gross negligence and downright incompetence. An explanation should be provided to explain why the Chapter failed to prevent the Genestealers from setting roots in Irea. Say the entire Chapter was deployed in 144.M41, to fight in the 12th Black Crusade; have the Warp's vagaries delay the Chapter's return to until approximately 220.M41, i.e., within three generations, long enough for Hybrids to breed Purestrain Genestealers. That will explain the Phoenix Legion's negligence as the result of their absence, and their absence the result of necessity- Abaddon presented a greater threat to the Imperium, such that losing the entire Irea system would be considered a worthy sacrifice to contain the Despoiler and his forces.

Edited September 9, 2019 by Bjorn Firewalker

[FoxLGV]

This IA is imaginative and well thought, for the most part. My main concerns are the following:

 

1) The name "Phoenix LEGION" (emphasis mine) may raise concerns among the Inquisition regarding Chapters engaging in "Legion building" and seeking to become the next Lufgt Huron- doubly so in M42, now that Guilliman rules as Lord Regent. Before you cite the Mentor Legion as an example, note recent Games Workshop publications name the Chapter "Mentors," intentionally omitting the word "Legion."

 

2) Your IA states Irea III is a hive world; IV is a forge world; V, VI, and VIII are agri worlds... What happened to Irea VII? Was the Ordo Xenos forced to conduct an Exterminatus on that planet? Was it an uninhabitable rock, useless to humans and Tyranids alike, in the first place?

 

3) For the Chapter to allow Genestealer cults to be founded on multiple planets in Irea- including the Chapter planet- suggests gross negligence and downright incompetence. An explanation should be provided to explain why the Chapter failed to prevent the Genestealers from setting roots in Irea. Say the entire Chapter was deployed in 144.M41, to fight in the 12th Black Crusade; have the Warp's vagaries delay the Chapter's return to until approximately 220.M41, i.e., within three generations, long enough for Hybrids to breed Purestrain Genestealers. That will explain the Phoenix Legion's negligence as the result of their absence, and their absence the result of necessity- Abaddon presented a greater threat to the Imperium, such that losing the entire Irea system is a worthy sacrifice to contain the Despoiler and his forces.

 

1) From what I've found, there are actually several canon chapters using 'Legion' as part of their chapter name (nine to be exact, of which eight have it on the end in the same format). This doesn't include the Mentors as they're now in canon listed as just 'Mentors,' where none of the others have been officially errata'd. Notable entries include the Doom Legion and the Hellion legion.

I was concerned about this too, and only started digging about keeping the original name after I exhausted all other options (Unfortunately the 'Phoenix Guard' would not work for obvious reasons). Even with other examples do you still think it's too much? I'm open to suggestions but am committed to the Phoenix iconography and find just using 'Phoenix' a bit too bland.

 

2) Irea VII is a dwarf planet of little significance, uninhabitable rock. Should I expand the homeworld section to the entire Sector? I did some background planning but didn't find it particularly relevant.

 

3) That's a really good point and also a really good solution, I'm going to do some digging and find a way to work that in. Thank you so much!

Edited September 9, 2019 by FoxLGV

[Bjorn Firewalker]

1) From what I've found, there are actually several canon chapters using 'Legion' as part of their chapter name (nine to be exact, of which eight have it on the end in the same format). This doesn't include the Mentors as they're now in canon listed as just 'Mentors,' where none of the others have been officially errata'd.

Fair enough.

I was concerned about this too, and only started digging about keeping the original name after I exhausted all other options (Unfortunately the 'Phoenix Guard' would not work for obvious reasons). Even with other examples do you still think it's too much?

Hopefully, you can get second, third, and more opinions from those knowledgeable about the setting.

I'm open to suggestions but am committed to the Phoenix iconography and find just using 'Phoenix' a bit too bland.

"Phoenix Warriors"? "Phoenix Knights"? "Simurgh Guard"?

2) Irea VII is a dwarf planet of little significance, uninhabitable rock. Should I expand the homeworld section to the entire Sector? I did some background planning but didn't find it particularly relevant.

Just include the sentence "Irea I, II, and VII are uninhabitable," in the description.

3) That's a really good point and also a really good solution, I'm going to do some digging and find a way to work that in. Thank you so much!

Glad to help. Edited September 9, 2019 by Bjorn Firewalker

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Almost forgot: Deploying the entire Chapter to fight in the 12th Black Crusade, may make Irea's citizens feel as if the Phoenix Legion abandoned them to the Tyranids, breeding resentment and distrust towards the Chapter. This will have to be resolved if the Phoenix Legion is to retain control over the system. Maybe have the Legionnaires act the way M3 police officers do, e.g., publicly swear oaths to guard the citizens, undertake patrols in public view as shows of force to deter rebellion (though this will make the Marines relatively easy targets if anyone does rebel), as well as performing community service to win back the citizens' trust?

[Kelborn]

Good start. :tu:

 

The Legion name issue, I had, as well, was already covered.

 

May I ask how did you attached those extra goodies on your Primaris? Photoshop?

[FoxLGV]

Good start. :tu:

 

The Legion name issue, I had, as well, was already covered.

 

May I ask how did you attached those extra goodies on your Primaris? Photoshop?

Just in MsPaint actually. When I traced the original piece to make it paint friendly I added them in freehand and removed the pieces I didn’t want. I’ve been unwilling to move on to photoshop for so long I’ve learned how to make MsP sing.

I can send you a copy if you’d like. :)

[Kelborn]

That'd be great. It could be useful for my Night Owls chapter. :)

[Messor]

Enjoying the recent burst of activity, and particularly enjoyed the story of this chapter. Their evolution from the Agriguard into their current form is well told, and their genetic flaw is very clever and imaginative. I love it. Now is their passing through the Rubicon almost en masse including the losses associated with it? I too only have a middling experience with the deeper lore, but from what I remember reading there was something like a 66% failure rate, resulting in death. Assuming I don't have that detail completely wrong, have they found a way around this, or are they simply prepared to tank those losses in the interest of embracing this biotechnical edge?

[Brother Lunkhead]

You're off to a nice start with your chapter  I love the name Phoenix Legion and your heraldry is kickin'. I've only had a chance to skim your lore so far, but I'll take a more detailed read tonight. I'll get back with a more detailed observation as soon as I can 

[FoxLGV]

Enjoying the recent burst of activity, and particularly enjoyed the story of this chapter. Their evolution from the Agriguard into their current form is well told, and their genetic flaw is very clever and imaginative. I love it. Now is their passing through the Rubicon almost en masse including the losses associated with it? I too only have a middling experience with the deeper lore, but from what I remember reading there was something like a 66% failure rate, resulting in death. Assuming I don't have that detail completely wrong, have they found a way around this, or are they simply prepared to tank those losses in the interest of embracing this biotechnical edge?

 

Glad you like it! I've updated the Rubicon section, it wasn't something I really considered but I think what I've done suits things well.

The success rate is improved by the experience and plenty of apothecaries available to perform the surgery, but only slightly. The marines are undeterred by the prospect of death, as long as their glands can be easily harvested (and where better than to die right in the hands of an apothecary) for future generations.

 

 

You're off to a nice start with your chapter  I love the name Phoenix Legion and your heraldry is kickin'. I've only had a chance to skim your lore so far, but I'll take a more detailed read tonight. I'll get back with a more detailed observation as soon as I can 

Thanks! I had to tweak the iconography for easier shoulder pad 3d-printing, but I really like where it ended up. :)

Looking forward to your input!

[Bjorn Firewalker]

In recent times, the Reclusiam has been phased out as Apothecaries have taken up the mantle of spiritual enlightenment.

Phasing out the Reclusiam will look VERY SUSPICIOUS to many Space Marine loyalists- remember, when Horus began his Heresy, the Traitor Legions executed all their Chaplains, with the notable exception of the Word Bearers.

 

A better description may be "As many Chaplains became casualties in recent battles, the Apothecaries were forced to assume the mantle of spiritual enlightenment, leading the Chapter's leaders to merge the Reclusiam with the Apothecarium to form the Order of the Phoenix Priests." (Space Wolves Wolf Priests, whose duties combine that of a Chaplain with that of an Apothecary, inspired the name "Phoenix Priests.")

Edited September 11, 2019 by Bjorn Firewalker

[FoxLGV]

 

Phasing out the Reclusiam will look VERY SUSPICIOUS to many Space Marine loyalists- remember, when Horus began his Heresy, the Traitor Legions executed all their Chaplains, with the notable exception of the Word Bearers.

 

A better description may be "As many Chaplains became casualties in recent battles, the Apothecaries were forced to assume the mantle of spiritual enlightenment, leading the Chapter's leaders to merge the two Reclusiam with the Apothecarium to form the Order of the Phoenix Priests." (Space Wolves Wolf Priests, whose duties combine that of a Chaplain with that of an Apothecary, inspired the name "Phoenix Priests.")

 

This is another really good point, your input is invaluable!

And also another really good solution. I've made some tweaks, but I'll be incorporating this into the main post in a moment.

 

I'm merging the Reclusiam and the Apothecarion into one section of the chapter, so named: The Cinerarium. I'm not too fond of the ring to 'Phoenix Priests' but I really like the angle you took, and with some thinking came up with 'Ashen Priests.' This follows the same lines, but outlines their primary responsibility of genetic retrieval from fallen comrades, handling the metaphorical 'ashes' of their brethren to reignite them in a new generation or marines. I'm also focusing on cross training, rather than 'covering of losses' (though I do plan to keep that as a less-pronounced detail in their history), as the cited reason for merging. Following the lines that the chapter's chaplains became fascinated by the medical duties of the apothecaries and created rites and prayers to fit them. Working with one another so closely both groups just began to learn each other's practices, and eventually the merging was natural.

 

Thoughts?

Edited September 10, 2019 by FoxLGV

[Bjorn Firewalker]

I'm merging the Reclusiam and the Apothecarion into one section of the chapter, so named: The Cinerarium.

From "incinerate"? Interesting name.

I'm also focusing on cross training, rather than 'covering of losses' (though I do plan to keep that as a less-pronounced detail in their history), as the cited reason for merging.

Fair enough.

Following the lines that the chapter's chaplains became fascinated by the medical duties of the apothecaries and created rites and prayers to fit them. Working with one another so closely both groups just began to learn each other's practices, and eventually the merging was natural.

Let's have the cultural practices of those the Marines recruit from, be the reason for this, i.e., "Priests are expected to provide parishioners with basic medical services, on Irea III, V, VI, VIII." (In Medieval Europe, priests did provide such services.)

 

As for maintaining Irea's citizens' trust in the Phoenix Legion when the entire Chapter left the system to fight in the 12th Black Crusade, I thought of Chapter serfs left behind to maintain the fortress-monastery on Irea III, as well as Chapter keeps on IV, V, VI, and VIII, coordinating with the planets' governments to maintain human control over the planets- though I expect in at least one case, the serfs had to kill a planetary governor who's a genestealer hybrid. The serfs are forced to raise militias to fight the xeno-tainted heretics, and eventually, the latter's Purestrain masters; breaking into the fortress-monastery and Chapter keeps' armories to distribute weapons to the militia members; act like religious demagogues to maintain the militia members' faith in the Emperor and "Trust in His Immortal Majesty's chosen servants, the Phoenix Legion, who will return once the archenemy to all mankind, Abaddon the Despoiler, is defeated." (The serfs know breaking into the armories was a capital offense, but "Needs must when devils ride," and they expected to die in battle long before the Marines could return to punish them.) Without starships, serfs on one planet couldn't aid those on others; but the fortress-monastery and the Chapter keeps served as shelters for untainted citizens when the Ordo Xenos enacted the Blight to wipe out Genestealers on the planetary surfaces. (Again, the serfs committed a capital offense in the latter, as they had no authority to let people into the fortress-monastery and Chapter keeps; but the forts' security systems could scan for xeno-taint, allowing the serfs to ensure they're not letting Genestealer hybrids into their masters' domains. Once they saved as many as they could, the serfs marched out the fortress-monastery and Chapter keeps, sealing the gates behind them, to fight the approaching mobs of panicking people and possible Genestealer infiltrators, and die in the subsequent igniting of the atmospheres, punishing themselves for their crimes.)

[Brother Lunkhead]

Nicely done You're off to a good start. Your lore section looks well thought out..... I especially like the Cinerarium idea. Looking forward to seeing more.

[FoxLGV]

 

From "incinerate"? Interesting name.

 

Funnily enough, I found Cinerarium scrolling through a thesaurus meaning: a place where the ashes of the dead are kept. It seemed too perfect not to use. xD

 

 

 

As for maintaining Irea's citizens' trust in the Phoenix Legion when the entire Chapter left the system to fight in the 12th Black Crusade, I thought of Chapter serfs left behind to maintain the fortress-monastery on Irea III, as well as Chapter keeps on IV, V, VI, and VIII, coordinating with the planets' governments to maintain human control over the planets- though I expect in at least one case, the serfs had to kill a planetary governor who's a genestealer hybrid. The serfs are forced to raise militias to fight the xeno-tainted heretics, and eventually, the latter's Purestrain masters; breaking into the fortress-monastery and Chapter keeps' armories to distribute weapons to the militia members; act like religious demagogues to maintain the militia members' faith in the Emperor and "Trust in His Immortal Majesty's chosen servants, the Phoenix Legion, who will return once the archenemy to all mankind, Abaddon the Despoiler, is defeated." (The serfs know breaking into the armories was a capital offense, but "Needs must when devils ride," and they expected to die in battle long before the Marines could return to punish them.) Without starships, serfs on one planet couldn't aid those on others; but the fortress-monastery and the Chapter keeps served as shelters for untainted citizens when the Ordo Xenos enacted the Blight to wipe out Genestealers on the planetary surfaces. (Again, the serfs committed a capital offense in the latter, as they had no authority to let people into the fortress-monastery and Chapter keeps; but the forts' security systems could scan for xeno-taint, allowing the serfs to ensure they're not letting Genestealer hybrids into their masters' domains. Once they saved as many as they could, the serfs marched out the fortress-monastery and Chapter keeps, sealing the gates behind them, to fight the approaching mobs of panicking people and possible Genestealer infiltrators, and die in the subsequent igniting of the atmospheres, punishing themselves for their crimes.)

 

I'm still working on this. While the 12th black crusade is a great pull to get the chapter away for Golgotha's insurgency the timing doesn't quite fit. It requires hundreds of years 'lost in the warp' before the first tyrannic war even starts. Even if I move Golgotha to being a splinter of Behemoth instead of Kraken, it's still a lot. 

I'm currently looking at other major events and trying to find something or similar scale in the right spot on the timeline. 

I do like the idea of exploring stories of the Serf's actions in their absence, but this particular strain goes against how I've been envisioning the Blight in that: the chapter returns to an infected home, and then the conflict begins.

I've got more thinking to do on this.

 

I've already started to formulate more on winning back the trust of the Irean people though, and it's given me an opportunity to explore the new planetary government and its relationship with the chapter.

Edited September 10, 2019 by FoxLGV

[Bjorn Firewalker]

I've been envisioning the Blight in that: the chapter returns to an infected home, and then the conflict begins.

I've got more thinking to do on this.

How about replacing the Genestealer/Tyranid attack with a Nurgle cultists/Death Guard Traitor Legion plot?

I've already started to formulate more on winning back the trust of the Irean people though, and it's given me an opportunity to explore the new planetary government and its relationship with the chapter.

Good to know.

[FoxLGV]

 

How about replacing the Genestealer/Tyranid attack with a Nurgle cultists/Death Guard Traitor Legion plot?

 

I don't own a nurgle cultist or Death Guard army. xD

 

But it does bring up the thought: am I more concerned about intertwining my two armies or about making each's story more solid.

Edited September 11, 2019 by FoxLGV

[Messor]

Weren't the Tyranids around (in smaller numbers) but simply not identified/widely known even before the Tyrannic War?

[FoxLGV]

Weren't the Tyranids around (in smaller numbers) but simply not identified/widely known even before the Tyrannic War?

 

It's implied by the lore, but having a major conflict using them pre-behemoth puts a bit too much flare on the chapter's lore which is already kind of fantastic. I don't want to push the boundaries of canon too far.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

 

Weren't the Tyranids around (in smaller numbers) but simply not identified/widely known even before the Tyrannic War?

It's implied by the lore, but having a major conflict using them pre-behemoth puts a bit too much flare on the chapter's lore which is already kind of fantastic. I don't want to push the boundaries of canon too far.

Glad you're not going the Marvel Comics 201X route- known as the Matt Ward route to us WH40K fans- and screwing with Continuity for your own agenda.

[Messor]

 

Weren't the Tyranids around (in smaller numbers) but simply not identified/widely known even before the Tyrannic War?

 

It's implied by the lore, but having a major conflict using them pre-behemoth puts a bit too much flare on the chapter's lore which is already kind of fantastic. I don't want to push the boundaries of canon too far.

 

That's fair, though it seems like if the confrontation with Golgotha involves only the Phoenix Legion and the forces of the local Irea System, on the wider scale of the entire Imperium and the rest of the galaxy at large, it wouldn't necessarily be considered a major conflict; rather an isolated incident with as-yet unidentified xenos. A significant matter for the Legion and its history, certainly, but perhaps something that wouldn't fit into bigger context until the Tyrannic War.

 

Alternatively, the conflict that draws the Legion away from Irea can be something of your own invention taking place much closer to the Tyrannic War, drawing no attention to the timeline. You wouldn't even need  more than a line or two of fluff outlining what made the threat severe enough to require the whole Chapter's attention.

 

All that said

 

 

 

am I more concerned about intertwining my two armies or about making each's story more solid.

Definitely something to sort out sooner rather than later. From my perspective on what you have so far, either can work, and without sacrificing any of the "integrity" of the background. I think it comes down to what you find more entertaining.

[FoxLGV]

 

Glad you're not going the Marvel Comics 201X route- known as the Matt Ward route to us WH40K fans- and screwing with Continuity for your own agenda.

 

 

 

Alternatively, the conflict that draws the Legion away from Irea can be something of your own invention taking place much closer to the Tyrannic War, drawing no attention to the timeline. You wouldn't even need  more than a line or two of fluff outlining what made the threat severe enough to require the whole Chapter's attention.

 

I'm meeting with some friends (who are far more knowledgeable about 40k lore than I am) tonight to see if they can think of any conflicts worth it.

If not, I'll create one and do my best to keep things straightforward and un-crazy.

 

Thanks again for the continued input guys!

Edited September 11, 2019 by FoxLGV

[Brother Lunkhead]

 

 

I'm meeting with some friends (who are far more knowledgeable about 40k lore than I am) tonight to see if they can think of any conflicts worth it.
If not, I'll create one and do my best to keep things straightforward and un-crazy.

 

Looks to me as though you've got a pretty good grasp of 40K lore as is. Keep up the good work.