IA - Imperial Shields (LASC 2019)

[Bruce Malcom]

SPACE MARINE CHAPTER: The Imperial Shields
Gene-Seed: Originates from Rogal Dorn

The Imperial Shields is a chapter of Marines from the blood of Dorn, who seek to help build defenses and defend from Xeno and Heretic attacks. While very archetypical for those of Dorn's, they do this for a purpose; they once were a chapter named the Crushing Hammers who fought heavy raids and did much of the dirty work required by the Imperium. However, they were reduced from 850 to 260 after an encounter with a splinter Tyranid Hive Fleet, in which they were unprepared, not well fortified, and completely off-guard.

Never again, the survivors vowed, never again will such a tragedy strike again.

They are fleet based, for the most part. They do have a world, however, since their job is travel and fortify, they rarely use it and it's only used for returning crusading companies who've either run out of resources or been depleted of manpower. The planet is named Aerchus, and it is a beautiful forest world. It was the first world they ever built a Fortress Monastery on, after the Tyranid attack and the destruction of the Crushing Hammers. It, even while retaining nature's beauty, is equipped with a staggering amount of shields, AA Guns, and other defenses. It is one of the most well defended places within the Dark Imperium.

They are mostly friendly and caring outside of battle. However, within the heat of combat, the Shields are incredibly proficient like any other Astartes. They still retain their insane fighting skill and aim, and their inner Hammer is unleashed like a Blood Angel's Black Rage. It's obviously not as potent, and can be recovered from as it is not hallucinations or insanity, but some could still consider Imperial Shields higher than most other Astartes chapters in combat.

Their armor is a stone-silver chest plate, a yellow helm with red eyes, the soft parts of the armor a dull grey, and the gauntlets and boots are yellow. However, Lieutenants have the reverse coloring.

Due to most resources being put into structures or vehicles, Primaris Marines are generally created from Scouts who have demonstrated incredible courage, skill, and dignity. Techmarines are created from those who remember patterns or improve upon old designs in structures. Apothecaries are always made from those who not only have a skill for medicine, but also have the kindest hearts out of the bunch.

They have 400 confirmed Astartes, with a possible 800 out crusading.

 

Further Reading:

 

• Defenders of Lornage (Short Story)

[Kelborn]

I've seperated this post from the main LASC thread and created an appropiate one for you.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

[The] Crushing Hammers who fought heavy raids and did much of the dirty work required by the Imperium.

Please specify WHAT "dirty work" the Crushing Hammers did, which the Imperium's many other institutions couldn't or wouldn't do. Was it purging populations the Ecclesiarchy judged "unfaithful" for not donating enough to the Imperial Cult's coffers? Performing false flag operations for the Ordo Hereticus?

They are fleet based, for the most part. They do have a world, however, since their job is travel and fortify, they rarely use it and it's only used for returning crusading companies who've either run out of resources or been depleted of manpower. The planet is named Aerchus, and it is a beautiful forest world. It was the first world they ever built a Fortress Monastery on, after the Tyranid attack and the destruction of the Crushing Hammers.

So the Chapter WAS fleet-based, but recently claimed a Chapter planet. The fortress-monastery should be named, unless the Chapter intentionally left it unnamed- maybe gave it a generic designation, e.g., "Site One-Zero"- for security purposes.

It, even while retaining nature's beauty, is equipped with a staggering amount of shields, AA Guns, and other defenses. It is one of the most well defended places within the Dark Imperium.

Unless the fortress-monastery is buried underground to hide it, it will NOT retain "nature's beauty." Clearing all nearby plant life is a basic necessity for fortifying a position, as it clears the defenders' lines-of-sight and lines-of-fire, denying approaching enemies cover and concealment. And why should Space Marines give a damn about "nature's beauty"?

They are mostly friendly and caring outside of battle.

I'm assuming this is a recent development, as "friendly and caring" people generally refuse to do "dirty work." What forced such changes upon the Chapter? Did the Crushing Hammers learn the dangers of having a poor public image, when potential allies- the Ecclesiarchy, AdMech, governors of planets from which the Chapter could've recruited, etc.- refused to aid the Marines?

However, Lieutenants have the reverse coloring.

Differentiating your own officers this way, will make the enemy ID them as priority targets, which will likely cripple your own army as the enemy launches decapitation strikes against such obvious targets. Is there a cultural reason for this, e.g., Aerchus' people will refuse to obey a leader who does not show he is "ready to die" by differentiating himself in this manner?

 

And why not use "reverse coloring" on Honor Guards, Sternguard and Vanguard Veterans, and other elites? As Marines in identical colors now surround the officers, the latter will be less conspicuous, and thus, less likely to be identified as a priority target.

[Brother Lunkhead]

They are fleet based, for the most part. They do have a world, however, since their job is travel and fortify, they rarely use it and it's only used for returning crusading companies who've either run out of resources or been depleted of manpower. The planet is named Aerchus, and it is a beautiful forest world. It was the first world they ever built a Fortress Monastery on, after the Tyranid attack and the destruction of the Crushing Hammers.

 

So the Chapter WAS fleet-based, but recently claimed a Chapter planet. The fortress-monastery should be named, unless the Chapter intentionally left it unnamed- maybe gave it a generic designation, e.g., "Site One-Zero"- for security purposes.

It, even while retaining nature's beauty, is equipped with a staggering amount of shields, AA Guns, and other defenses. It is one of the most well defended places within the Dark Imperium.

Unless the fortress-monastery is buried underground to hide it, it will NOT retain "nature's beauty." Clearing all nearby plant life is a basic necessity for fortifying a position, to deny approaching enemies cover and concealment, and to clear the defenders' lines-of-sight and lines-of-fire. And why should Space Marines give a damn about "nature's beauty"?

 

 

 

Fortress Monastery Designation: Good point. The Fortress should be named, unless for security reasons it is not. However, given the rare use of it and the fact that the chapter is fleet-based "for the most part" perhaps the fortress monastery is used mostly as a storage and resupply point with few or none of the usual fortress monastery amenities

 

Natural Beauty Aspects: Perhaps the fortress monastery is ergonomically built into a natural defensive formation (possibly for added concealment). "Nature's beauty" can refer to geologic aspects and not just fauna.

 

Space Marines can appreciate nature's beauty too After all, even the Blood Angels and White Scars have an artistic side  

 

 

Quote

They are mostly friendly and caring outside of battle.

 

I'm assuming this is a recent development, as "friendly and caring" people generally refuse to do "dirty work." What forced such changes upon the Chapter? Did the Crushing Hammers learn the dangers of having a poor public image, when potential allies- the Ecclesiarchy, AdMech, governors of planets from which the Chapter could've recruited, etc.- refused to aid the Marines?

I'm not so sure..... I know a bunch of current and ex special ops folks that I would definitely classify  as "friendly and caring". They just have a lethal side too

 

On the whole it looks good Brother Bruce It just needs to be fleshed out some.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bjorn Firewalker]

The planet is named Aerchus, and it is a beautiful forest world. It was the first world they ever built a Fortress Monastery on...

It, even while retaining nature's beauty, is equipped with a staggering amount of shields, AA Guns, and other defenses. It is one of the most well defended places within the Dark Imperium.

Idea: Instead of building a fortress on a beautiful forest world, the Imperial Shields find a world that IS A FORTRESS, i.e., Aerchus is a planet-sized star fort, a relic of the Dark Age of Technology, which is now overgrown with trees and other vegetation- something its long-dead builders did to hide it. The humans living there are descendants of the menial workers who maintained the vegetation planted to conceal the star fort, and who worship the "Worldbuilder."

 

When the Imperial Shields arrive, Aerchus' inhabitants say to the Astartes, "Thou art the Worldbuilder's heirs, who will untie the Gordian Knot," a gate the Chief Librarian unlocks by sending an astral projection past it, to manipulate controls on the other side, "to unchain the Worldbuilder's Sword of Stars," a superweapon, "from its scabbard, and with it, destroy His enemies and bring peace to the galaxy."

[Brother Lunkhead]

 

The planet is named Aerchus, and it is a beautiful forest world. It was the first world they ever built a Fortress Monastery on...

It, even while retaining nature's beauty, is equipped with a staggering amount of shields, AA Guns, and other defenses. It is one of the most well defended places within the Dark Imperium.

Idea: Instead of building a fortress on a beautiful forest world, the Imperial Shields find a world that IS A FORTRESS, i.e., Aerchus is a planet-sized star fort, a relic of the Dark Age of Technology, which is now overgrown with trees and other vegetation- something its long-dead builders did to hide it. The humans living there are descendants of the menial workers who maintained the vegetation planted to conceal the star fort, and who worship the "Worldbuilder."

 

When the Imperial Shields arrive, Aerchus' inhabitants say to the Astartes, "Thou art the Worldbuilder's heirs, who will untie the Gordian Knot," a gate the Chief Librarian unlocks by sending an astral projection past it, to manipulate controls on the other side, "to unchain the Worldbuilder's Sword of Stars," a superweapon, "from its scabbard, and with it, destroy His enemies and bring peace to the galaxy."

 

 

Definitely not outside the realm of possibility in the 40Kverse

[Bruce Malcom]

 

[The] Crushing Hammers who fought heavy raids and did much of the dirty work required by the Imperium.

Please specify WHAT "dirty work" the Crushing Hammers did, which the Imperium's many other institutions couldn't or wouldn't do. Was it purging populations the Ecclesiarchy judged "unfaithful" for not donating enough to the Imperial Cult's coffers? Performing false flag operations for the Ordo Hereticus?

They are fleet based, for the most part. They do have a world, however, since their job is travel and fortify, they rarely use it and it's only used for returning crusading companies who've either run out of resources or been depleted of manpower. The planet is named Aerchus, and it is a beautiful forest world. It was the first world they ever built a Fortress Monastery on, after the Tyranid attack and the destruction of the Crushing Hammers.

So the Chapter WAS fleet-based, but recently claimed a Chapter planet. The fortress-monastery should be named, unless the Chapter intentionally left it unnamed- maybe gave it a generic designation, e.g., "Site One-Zero"- for security purposes.

It, even while retaining nature's beauty, is equipped with a staggering amount of shields, AA Guns, and other defenses. It is one of the most well defended places within the Dark Imperium.

Unless the fortress-monastery is buried underground to hide it, it will NOT retain "nature's beauty." Clearing all nearby plant life is a basic necessity for fortifying a position, as it clears the defenders' lines-of-sight and lines-of-fire, denying approaching enemies cover and concealment. And why should Space Marines give a damn about "nature's beauty"?

They are mostly friendly and caring outside of battle.

I'm assuming this is a recent development, as "friendly and caring" people generally refuse to do "dirty work." What forced such changes upon the Chapter? Did the Crushing Hammers learn the dangers of having a poor public image, when potential allies- the Ecclesiarchy, AdMech, governors of planets from which the Chapter could've recruited, etc.- refused to aid the Marines?

However, Lieutenants have the reverse coloring.

Differentiating your own officers this way, will make the enemy ID them as priority targets, which will likely cripple your own army as the enemy launches decapitation strikes against such obvious targets. Is there a cultural reason for this, e.g., Aerchus' people will refuse to obey a leader who does not show he is "ready to die" by differentiating himself in this manner?

And why not use "reverse coloring" on Honor Guards, Sternguard and Vanguard Veterans, and other elites? As Marines in identical colors now surround the officers, the latter will be less conspicuous, and thus, less likely to be identified as a priority target.

1. I was thinking they did the sort of stuff ranging from too-tough-for-Arbites gangs deemed heretical that Marines are sent in to mop up because they ain't Xenos or Heretics so no Deathwatch or Grey Knights. Heh, ironic, considering the marine's purpose in the great crusade. It was also range to, yes, Exterminatus occasionally but usually stuff just below that, where they're sent in to quell stuff that if it isn't quelled then Exterminatus time, like an Ork invasion similar to the event in the Space Marine Video Game. Less expensive than Deathwatch, that's for sure. Their Reivers were usually requested to do assassin jobs for Inquisitors too lowly to get Vindicares to do jobs. In other words stuff too much for Arbites to stuff just under Exterminatus.

2. The FM's name is Revival Palace, a beautiful landma-

3. As you see, I'm sure kind marines such as them would care if they obliterated a chunk of their planet's ecosystem. As for buildings...considering the tactics in 40k let's just say the trees and vines and whatever are used as cover and armor and vehicles here are camouflaged in the sense that they have the famous green-baige pattern. I'm sure with their hundreds of years of building structures, craftsmanship, prominent and uncommonly creative Techmarines, and the fact they're the sons of Dorn they can build a base without breaking a twig. I mean, more impressive feats have been accomplished so it wouldn't be crazy to think they built a FM with trees still around right after.

4. Yes, this is true. They had the jerk flamboyant attitude and was rather reluctantly chosen by Inquisitors to perform jobs. However, it's the 41st Millennium (or rather, was) and there's always a problem. However, when the Tyranids arrived...not a single guardsman came to help.

 

Imma write a story on these bois soon.

5. Sure.

  

 

 

They are fleet based, for the most part. They do have a world, however, since their job is travel and fortify, they rarely use it and it's only used for returning crusading companies who've either run out of resources or been depleted of manpower. The planet is named Aerchus, and it is a beautiful forest world. It was the first world they ever built a Fortress Monastery on, after the Tyranid attack and the destruction of the Crushing Hammers.

 

So the Chapter WAS fleet-based, but recently claimed a Chapter planet. The fortress-monastery should be named, unless the Chapter intentionally left it unnamed- maybe gave it a generic designation, e.g., "Site One-Zero"- for security purposes.

It, even while retaining nature's beauty, is equipped with a staggering amount of shields, AA Guns, and other defenses. It is one of the most well defended places within the Dark Imperium.

 

Unless the fortress-monastery is buried underground to hide it, it will NOT retain "nature's beauty." Clearing all nearby plant life is a basic necessity for fortifying a position, to deny approaching enemies cover and concealment, and to clear the defenders' lines-of-sight and lines-of-fire. And why should Space Marines give a damn about "nature's beauty"?

 

Fortress Monastery Designation: Good point. The Fortress should be named, unless for security reasons it is not. However, given the rare use of it and the fact that the chapter is fleet-based "for the most part" perhaps the fortress monastery is used mostly as a storage and resupply point with few or none of the usual fortress monastery amenities^_^

 

Natural Beauty Aspects: Perhaps the fortress monastery is ergonomically built into a natural defensive formation (possibly for added concealment). "Nature's beauty" can refer to geologic aspects and not just fauna.

 

Space Marines can appreciate nature's beauty too:wub: After all, even the Blood Angels and White Scars have an artistic side:blush: :D 

 

 

Quote

They are mostly friendly and caring outside of battle.

 

I'm assuming this is a recent development, as "friendly and caring" people generally refuse to do "dirty work." What forced such changes upon the Chapter? Did the Crushing Hammers learn the dangers of having a poor public image, when potential allies- the Ecclesiarchy, AdMech, governors of planets from which the Chapter could've recruited, etc.- refused to aid the Marines?

I'm not so sure..... I know a bunch of current and ex special ops folks that I would definitely classify  as "friendly and caring". They just have a lethal side too;)

 

On the whole it looks good Brother Bruce:yes: It just needs to be fleshed out some.

  

 

The planet is named Aerchus, and it is a beautiful forest world. It was the first world they ever built a Fortress Monastery on...

It, even while retaining nature's beauty, is equipped with a staggering amount of shields, AA Guns, and other defenses. It is one of the most well defended places within the Dark Imperium.

Idea: Instead of building a fortress on a beautiful forest world, the Imperial Shields find a world that IS A FORTRESS, i.e., Aerchus is a planet-sized star fort, a relic of the Dark Age of Technology, which is now overgrown with trees and other vegetation- something its long-dead builders did to hide it. The humans living there are descendants of the menial workers who maintained the vegetation planted to conceal the star fort, and who worship the "Worldbuilder."

When the Imperial Shields arrive, Aerchus' inhabitants say to the Astartes, "Thou art the Worldbuilder's heirs, who will untie the Gordian Knot," a gate the Chief Librarian unlocks by sending an astral projection past it, to manipulate controls on the other side, "to unchain the Worldbuilder's Sword of Stars," a superweapon, "from its scabbard, and with it, destroy His enemies and bring peace to the galaxy."

  

 

 

The planet is named Aerchus, and it is a beautiful forest world. It was the first world they ever built a Fortress Monastery on...

 

It, even while retaining nature's beauty, is equipped with a staggering amount of shields, AA Guns, and other defenses. It is one of the most well defended places within the Dark Imperium.

 

Idea: Instead of building a fortress on a beautiful forest world, the Imperial Shields find a world that IS A FORTRESS, i.e., Aerchus is a planet-sized star fort, a relic of the Dark Age of Technology, which is now overgrown with trees and other vegetation- something its long-dead builders did to hide it. The humans living there are descendants of the menial workers who maintained the vegetation planted to conceal the star fort, and who worship the "Worldbuilder."

When the Imperial Shields arrive, Aerchus' inhabitants say to the Astartes, "Thou art the Worldbuilder's heirs, who will untie the Gordian Knot," a gate the Chief Librarian unlocks by sending an astral projection past it, to manipulate controls on the other side, "to unchain the Worldbuilder's Sword of Stars," a superweapon, "from its scabbard, and with it, destroy His enemies and bring peace to the galaxy."

 

Definitely not outside the realm of possibility in the 40Kverse:yes:

I do not like them having a big boi superweapon...however I do like the ancient base idea. Yes, Revival Palace was built on a perfect flat point and when the Chapter-Master and co. requested some marines go check what was going on, it turns out they built Revival Palace on a hardpoint, like a ship. When further investigated they found DAoT descendants they were like 'aw mah god' then he got slapped and then he was like 'ah mah manly god emperor it's the reclaimers (can't think of a better name. Heirs works)Give them the station!' So they get the station (which shall be dubbed Stalwart Forge), which has malfunctioned in the memory department so ancient STCs are locked behind infinite firewalls (so my models aren't walking around with sun eaters and crap), but the factories and such are A-Okay and that's where they make all the stuff they need so they're never caught without materials, weapons, and defenses again.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

I took direct inspiration from Starkiller Base (itself from Star Wars: The Force Awakens) regarding the planet-sized base that retained "nature's beauty."

 

Another possibility is Aerchus as a Necron World Engine that was overgrown during the millions of years the xenos were in stasis. The man who would become the Emperor explored it during the Dark Age of Technology, and put his own seals upon the World Engine's controls to prevent the xenos from using it against humanity. When the Imperial Shields discover the planet, an Astropath insists on accompanying them; the portion of the Emperor's soul he bears (from his soul-binding) is able to undo the seals, allowing the Marines to take control.

 

Even if the planet killing superweapon remains disabled by the Emperor's command, I'm sure you can understand how AWESOME its mountain-sized antiship guns- themselves surrounded with dual-purpose guns to defend them from enemy flyers and ground forces- can be in battle.

[Brother Cambrius]

This Fortress Planet certainly is a potential idea, a good example of this being done before is the Doom Legion's huge pre Horus Heresy Star Fortress.

 

Key question that follows is why it was there to start with? What threat meant that such a machine of such size was necessary? That could open up some interesting avenues.

 

All in all, you have some find foundations here, Bruce Malcom. When it comes to the final draft, I'd strongly recommend using a more formal tense instead of a conversational tone, but that style is very much up to your own taste. :)

 

Cambrius

[Bruce Malcom]

I took direct inspiration from Starkiller Base (itself from Star Wars: The Force Awakens) regarding the planet-sized base that retained "nature's beauty."

Another possibility is Aerchus as a Necron World Engine that was overgrown during the millions of years the xenos were in stasis. The man who would become the Emperor explored it during the Dark Age of Technology, and put his own seals upon the World Engine's controls to prevent the xenos from using it against humanity. When the Imperial Shields discover the planet, an Astropath insists on accompanying them; the portion of the Emperor's soul he bears (from his soul-binding) is able to undo the seals, allowing the Marines to take control.

Even if the planet killing superweapon remains disabled by the Emperor's command, I'm sure you can understand how AWESOME its mountain-sized antiship guns- themselves surrounded with dual-purpose guns to defend them from enemy flyers and ground forces- can be in battle.

  

I was thinking it was an old DAoT stronghold, that was half compromised, for within the planet are Men of Iron, locked within the metal maze of the planet. They rarely go hunting down there, lest they face one. A cool encounter happened though, when a Terminator bashed a Men of Iron apart with a Power Fist in the second expedition, after they found out the truth about the planet.

This Fortress Planet certainly is a potential idea, a good example of this being done before is the Doom Legion's huge pre Horus Heresy Star Fortress.

Key question that follows is why it was there to start with? What threat meant that such a machine of such size was necessary? That could open up some interesting avenues.

All in all, you have some find foundations here, Bruce Malcom. When it comes to the final draft, I'd strongly recommend using a more formal tense instead of a conversational tone, but that style is very much up to your own taste. :)

Cambrius

Yeah, it was a stronghold, a base to fall back to, but then Men of Iron got in and the stronghold was left for dead. Little did humanity know humans actually survived there and a community lasted until the Imperial Shields arrived.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

I was thinking it was an old DAoT stronghold, that was half compromised, for within the planet are Men of Iron, locked within the metal maze of the planet.

More likely, the Men of Iron were always there to begin with, i.e., the fortress was also a manufactory for war machines with "abominable intelligence" (artificial intelligence).

They rarely go hunting down there, lest they face one.

Who rarely goes hunting down the metal maze? Humans living on the surface? AdMech priests searching for archeotech?

A cool encounter happened though, when a Terminator bashed a Men of Iron apart with a Power Fist in the second expedition, after they found out the truth about the planet.

To make this cooler, let's have the Terminator do this to a Gundam-sized (approx. 18-meter-tall) Man of Iron.

[Bruce Malcom]

I've seperated this post from the main LASC thread and created an appropiate one for you. :)

Can you give this thread the proper tags please?

[Bruce Malcom]

 

I was thinking it was an old DAoT stronghold, that was half compromised, for within the planet are Men of Iron, locked within the metal maze of the planet.

More likely, the Men of Iron were always there to begin with, i.e., the fortress was also a manufactory for war machines with "abominable intelligence" (artificial intelligence).

They rarely go hunting down there, lest they face one.

Who rarely goes hunting down the metal maze? Humans living on the surface? AdMech priests searching for archeotech?

A cool encounter happened though, when a Terminator bashed a Men of Iron apart with a Power Fist in the second expedition, after they found out the truth about the planet.

To make this cooler, let's have the Terminator do this to a Gundam-sized (approx. 18-meter-tall) Man of Iron.

Wow! Nearly forgot about this.

 

1. The Astartes, but anyone who wants to go past safe points within the place gets the big ol' Astartes gauntlet punch if they do not yield.

2. Sounds good. The Terminator one punches a Gundam Man of Iron. Perfection.

 

Hmmmm...which LASC 2019 Chapter could take Revival Palace? This isn't an ego-boosting question; I just love hearing people creating stuff and putting them head-to-head.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Hmmmm...which LASC 2019 Chapter could take Revival Palace? This isn't an ego-boosting question; I just love hearing people creating stuff and putting them head-to-head.

Idea: Any two-bit enemy force can take the Revival Palace... and then they will all die in agony, as the Palace is but a decoy, like Perturabo's Eternal Fortress; the unlikely foe who "takes it" will face the Emperor's judgment when it self-destructs.

 

Meanwhile, the Shields are eating popcorn as they critique their foolish enemy's performance in the relative safety of their TRUE fortress-monastery, a preexisting command center deep within Aerchus, which the Marines took over because it's full of archeotech they MUST NOT let fall into enemy hands.

[Berzul]

 

 

I was thinking it was an old DAoT stronghold, that was half compromised, for within the planet are Men of Iron, locked within the metal maze of the planet.

More likely, the Men of Iron were always there to begin with, i.e., the fortress was also a manufactory for war machines with "abominable intelligence" (artificial intelligence).

They rarely go hunting down there, lest they face one.

Who rarely goes hunting down the metal maze? Humans living on the surface? AdMech priests searching for archeotech?

A cool encounter happened though, when a Terminator bashed a Men of Iron apart with a Power Fist in the second expedition, after they found out the truth about the planet.

To make this cooler, let's have the Terminator do this to a Gundam-sized (approx. 18-meter-tall) Man of Iron.

Wow! Nearly forgot about this.

 

1. The Astartes, but anyone who wants to go past safe points within the place gets the big ol' Astartes gauntlet punch if they do not yield.

2. Sounds good. The Terminator one punches a Gundam Man of Iron. P

 

Hmmmm...which LASC 2019 Chapter could take Revival Palace? This isn't an ego-boosting question; I just love hearing people creating stuff and putting them head-to-head.

 

 

Can you give us more info into the palace? Maybe a consolidated description of it, from the decisions you have made across the thread so far? That would help in picturing how a chapter (be it LASC 2019 or otherwise) might attempt to breach it.

[Bruce Malcom]

 

 

 

I was thinking it was an old DAoT stronghold, that was half compromised, for within the planet are Men of Iron, locked within the metal maze of the planet.

More likely, the Men of Iron were always there to begin with, i.e., the fortress was also a manufactory for war machines with "abominable intelligence" (artificial intelligence).

They rarely go hunting down there, lest they face one.

Who rarely goes hunting down the metal maze? Humans living on the surface? AdMech priests searching for archeotech?

A cool encounter happened though, when a Terminator bashed a Men of Iron apart with a Power Fist in the second expedition, after they found out the truth about the planet.

To make this cooler, let's have the Terminator do this to a Gundam-sized (approx. 18-meter-tall) Man of Iron.

Wow! Nearly forgot about this.

 

1. The Astartes, but anyone who wants to go past safe points within the place gets the big ol' Astartes gauntlet punch if they do not yield.

2. Sounds good. The Terminator one punches a Gundam Man of Iron. P

 

Hmmmm...which LASC 2019 Chapter could take Revival Palace? This isn't an ego-boosting question; I just love hearing people creating stuff and putting them head-to-head.

 

 

Can you give us more info into the palace? Maybe a consolidated description of it, from the decisions you have made across the thread so far? That would help in picturing how a chapter (be it LASC 2019 or otherwise) might attempt to breach it.

 

Revival Palace was the first true base of operations they built, after the genocide of the Chapter by the Tyranids long ago. It was meant as a form of accepting their nature, their culture as Fist successors, and become proper sons of Dorn. Revival Palace is a large and mighty building, protected by Void Shields, stretching across the entire size of Los Angeles in all dimensions. It's huge, it's grand, it has so many turrets, and a good hundred Astartes is always stationed there, along with thousands of serfs (all trained to be effective in combat), well equipped.

 

On top of all that, it's covered in vines and other flora because all the Shields like nature, for whatever reason. Quirk of the Chapter.

[Berzul]

That... That sounds quite formidable. But, understaffed.

 

Perhaps the trick to taking the Revival Palace would be in the fact that it is defended by only 100 astartes and a few thousand serfs. If the palace itself is of such size, it seems like a small force to man it, and defend it properly. I am guessing it has a lot of automated or semi automated defenses, and points that can be breached are few and far between along its perimeter. Perhaps falling back to natural defenses, in the form of the planet's vegetation?

 

If this last point is true, the question would be, is the flora that covers it... dangerous?

 

And also, is the Revival Palace supported by additional defenses, such as lunar outposts, system locked defense batteries, supra atmospheric gun platforms, and other similar equipment?

[Bruce Malcom]

That... That sounds quite formidable. But, understaffed.

 

Perhaps the trick to taking the Revival Palace would be in the fact that it is defended by only 100 astartes and a few thousand serfs. If the palace itself is of such size, it seems like a small force to man it, and defend it properly. I am guessing it has a lot of automated or semi automated defenses, and points that can be breached are few and far between along its perimeter. Perhaps falling back to natural defenses, in the form of the planet's vegetation?

 

If this last point is true, the question would be, is the flora that covers it... dangerous?

 

And also, is the Revival Palace supported by additional defenses, such as lunar outposts, system locked defense batteries, supra atmospheric gun platforms, and other similar equipment?

 

The flora is not dangerous. They prefer plants that don't eat serfs, after that one incident with Brother Kane...

(That's why the serf population is so low, they're still 'hiring' after too many carnivore plants grew around the palace)

 

Yes, there is defense batteries, supra atmospheric gun platforms...push comes to shove they redirect the invaders into the underbelly of the planet (which is still Revival Palace, btw. It's weird), where ancient Men of Iron lay dormant...

 

Hmmmm...which LASC 2019 Chapter could take Revival Palace? This isn't an ego-boosting question; I just love hearing people creating stuff and putting them head-to-head.

Idea: Any two-bit enemy force can take the Revival Palace... and then they will all die in agony, as the Palace is but a decoy, like Perturabo's Eternal Fortress; the unlikely foe who "takes it" will face the Emperor's judgment when it self-destructs.

 

Meanwhile, the Shields are eating popcorn as they critique their foolish enemy's performance in the relative safety of their TRUE fortress-monastery, a preexisting command center deep within Aerchus, which the Marines took over because it's full of archeotech they MUST NOT let fall into enemy hands.

 

 

Taking plays out of a Traitor's playbook? I'm going to be right back...yes, Inquisitor! Right over here!

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Taking plays out of a Traitor's playbook? I'm going to be right back...yes, Inquisitor! Right over here!

Warsmith Rian, of the Iron Warriors warband "Blades of Ruin," descended from his Thunderhawk to greet Inquisitor Matthias Warden of the Ordo Hereticus, the traitor who granted him access to this Son of Dorn fortress-monastery. The Son of Perturabo ignored the still-burning wrecks of the two Thunderhawks that escorted his, and the still-bleeding bodies of his Honor Guards, as he demanded, "Where?"

 

"The Imperial Shields gene-seed vaults are in Basement Level 50!" Warden shouted, making himself heard over the roar of the Earthshaker cannons he brought to the Loyalist Chapter's fortress-monastery under the guise of "assisting the Imperial Shields in defense of the Emperor's realm."

 

"As there are 100 basement levels, our Hades breaching drills cannot bypass the Revival Palace's defen- Take cover!" With that, the Inquisitor threw himself facedown onto the landing pad's sunbaked metal surface, burning his face in the process.

 

Boom! An Earthshaker shell buried itself near the Warsmith, reducing the landing pad to a crater; a second detonated overhead, showering Rian with shrapnel, which made his iron halo flare as its conversion field struggled to protect him.

 

'The Sheep of Dorn called down an artillery barrage on their own position. Admirable, for Sheep.' Rian turned to see his own Thunderhawk reduced to a burning wreck. 'How inconvenient.' "Iron Savior, this is the Warsmith," he called to the grand cruiser in geostationary orbit above the fortress-monastery. "Will you kindly remove the enemy artillery assailing my position?" The Iron Savior's lance batteries fired in response, reducing the forests ringing the Revival Palace to ash. "And send down another Thunderhawk." Rian's sabaton "gently nudged" the Inquisitor, sending him flying towards the fortress-monastery's main gates.

 

"Get up. Lead the way."

 

***

 

The journey to the gene-seed vaults was unsettling in its silence. Inquisitorial acolytes with their badges of office turned over to reveal the Blades of Ruin warband insignia, Astra Militarum guardsmen with the eight-point Chaos Star defacing the Aquila, Iron Warriors slave-soldiers and even Space Marines lay on every floor, their spilled blood mingling with that of Imperial Shields combat servitors- never with that of the Loyalist Marines, who were conspicuous in their absence from their own fortress-monastery.

 

A whirring noise interrupted the traitors as they reached Basement Level 50. "Death to the...!" Rian fired one boltshell into the approaching servitor's head, interrupting what was undoubtedly a grandiose speech a Son of Dorn copied from a Son of Guilliman, swearing vengeance upon the intruders.

 

"Finally, things are going my way," the Warsmith said upon seeing the multi-melta mounted in place of the slave-machine's right arm, which he sawed off and took with him.

 

'There!' The vaults' adamantium doors remained standing after the Inquistorial Storm Troopers expended all the melta bombs they brought, and after the Inquisitor's inferno pistol and the Warsmith's commandeered multi-melta's ammunition canisters were exhausted; Rian was forced to use the servo-arms fitted to his Tactical Dreadnought armor, to tear the half-melted doors from their hinges.

 

A familiar-looking metal plate lay behind the vault doors, with the words "We learned a lesson at Sebastus IV, and will teach the same to our guests" engraved upon it.

 

"What does it mean?" Warden wondered aloud. Rian answered with a gasp, once the Warsmith identified the curved metal plate as an Imperator Bomb casing.

 

***

 

As the mushroom cloud rose from the decoy fortress-monastery's remains, Captain Fordarris, of Imperial Shields' Eighth Company, finished chewing a popcorn ball. "What do you think?" he asked Chaplain Hammark.

 

"Mediocre." The Chaplain's answer seemed halfhearted, as his attention was on the report confirming the Iron Warriors traitor's grand cruiser was destroyed. "I rate his performance at 42 percent of what a competent foe should offer."

 

"It is almost a pity we had to expend the decoy on so mediocre an enemy- almost."

[Bruce Malcom]

 

Taking plays out of a Traitor's playbook? I'm going to be right back...yes, Inquisitor! Right over here!

Warsmith Rian, of the Iron Warriors warband "Blades of Ruin," descended from his Thunderhawk to greet Inquisitor Matthias Warden of the Ordo Hereticus, the traitor who granted him access to this Son of Dorn fortress-monastery. The Son of Perturabo ignored the still-burning wrecks of the two Thunderhawks that escorted his, and the still-bleeding bodies of his Honor Guards, as he demanded, "Where?"

"The Imperial Shields gene-seed vaults are in Basement Level 50!" Warden shouted, making himself heard over the roar of the Earthshaker cannons he brought to the Loyalist Chapter's fortress-monastery under the guise of "assisting the Imperial Shields in defense of the Emperor's realm."

"As there are 100 basement levels, our Hades breaching drills cannot bypass the Revival Palace's defen- Take cover!" With that, the Inquisitor threw himself facedown onto the landing pad's sunbaked metal surface, burning his face in the process.

Boom! An Earthshaker shell buried itself near the Warsmith, reducing the landing pad to a crater; a second detonated overhead, showering Rian with shrapnel, which made his iron halo flare as its conversion field struggled to protect him.

'The Sheep of Dorn called down an artillery barrage on their own position. Admirable, for Sheep.' Rian turned to see his own Thunderhawk reduced to a burning wreck. 'How inconvenient.' "Iron Savior, this is the Warsmith," he called to the grand cruiser in geostationary orbit above the fortress-monastery. "Will you kindly remove the enemy artillery assailing my position?" The Iron Savior's lance batteries fired in response, reducing the forests ringing the Revival Palace to ash. "And send down another Thunderhawk." Rian's sabaton "gently nudged" the Inquisitor, sending him flying towards the fortress-monastery's main gates.

"Get up. Lead the way."

***

The journey to the gene-seed vaults was unsettling in its silence. Inquisitorial acolytes with their badges of office turned over to reveal the Blades of Ruin warband insignia, Astra Militarum guardsmen with the eight-point Chaos Star defacing the Aquila, Iron Warriors slave-soldiers and even Space Marines lay on every floor, their spilled blood mingling with that of Imperial Shields combat servitors- never with that of the Loyalist Marines, who were conspicuous in their absence from their own fortress-monastery.

A whirring noise interrupted the traitors as they reached Basement Level 50. "Death to the...!" Rian fired one boltshell into the approaching servitor's head, interrupting what was undoubtedly a grandiose speech a Son of Dorn copied from a Son of Guilliman, swearing vengeance upon the intruders.

"Finally, things are going my way," the Warsmith said upon seeing the multi-melta mounted in place of the slave-machine's right arm, which he sawed off and took with him.

'There!' The vaults' adamantium doors remained standing after the Inquistorial Storm Troopers expended all the melta bombs they brought, and after the Inquisitor's inferno pistol and the Warsmith's commandeered multi-melta's ammunition canisters were exhausted; Rian was forced to use the servo-arms fitted to his Tactical Dreadnought armor, to tear the half-melted doors from their hinges.

A familiar-looking metal plate lay behind the vault doors, with the words "We learned a lesson at Sebastus IV, and will teach the same to our guests" engraved upon it.

"What does it mean?" Warden wondered aloud. Rian answered with a gasp, once the Warsmith identified the curved metal plate as an Imperator Bomb casing.

***

As the mushroom cloud rose from the decoy fortress-monastery's remains, Captain Fordarris, of Imperial Shields' Eighth Company, finished chewing a popcorn ball. "What do you think?" he asked Chaplain Hammark.

"Mediocre." The Chaplain's answer seemed halfhearted, as his attention was on the report confirming the Iron Warriors traitor's grand cruiser was destroyed. "I rate his performance at 42 percent of what a competent foe should offer."

"It is almost a pity we had to expend the decoy on so mediocre an enemy- almost."

Everyone's gangsta until they find the Space Nuke

 

I like the story! There could be decoy Revival Palaces (perhaps some cloaking tech keeps the real one hidden?), but Revival Palace is a monument to their change of ways. It was the first structure built after the genocide, and seeing how emotional this chapter is I doubt they'd give up such a sentimental (and powerful) structure so easily, even if the new place is a DAoT forge.

[Bruce Malcom]

Updated IA:

 

THE IMPERIAL SHIELDS

Founding Date: (as Crushing Hammers) M35

Founding Date: (as Imperial Shields) M40

Successors of: Imperial Fists

Segmentum: Tempestus

Sub-Sector: Nebilus

 

Fleet:

The Defender of Lornage (Battle Barge. Well staffed, modified to store and launch more drop pods meant for base and fortification construction.)

Crusher of Heretics (Gladius Class Light Cruiser. Old, worn, and a relic of its time. It was part of the Crushing Hammers' initial fleet of ships, and the ship that brought them to safety after the genocide.)

Stalwart Barrier (Defiant Light Cruiser. It's carrier purposes make it excellent for mass evacuations, but its true story was found in the defense of an Imperial Agri-World. The Stalwart Barrier's protector, a Lunar-Class Cruiser, had fallen previously. Finally, it blasted into the middle of an Ork fleet and fired all lances, eliminating five separate damaged Ork ships.)

3x Lunar Cruisers

6x Sword Frigates

 

 

HISTORY:

The Crushing Hammers were a chapter of Astartes that went beyond typical Astartes pride. They were arrogant, brash, but deadly nonetheless, and so they found work from Inquisitors too minor to call upon official assassins, planetary governors dealing with an issue above the Arbites that requires brute strength, and other shady dealings. They refused to build a single structure, despite their lineage.

 

And so, fate cast upon then a rude awakening, in the form of one of Hive Fleet Leviathan's splinter fleets. They caught the deployed chapter off guard (every Astartes within the chapter was either on the planet, or in a ship orbiting the planet), and around 600 of the 800-strong Astartes were slaughtered. Escaping the planet (originally named Narvia II, but renamed Hell's Kyln afterwards) onboard their single remaining ship, they travelled to a mysterious signal being projected far off into the Eastern Fringe...

 

While the ship travelled through the Warp, the sons of Dorn decided to discuss the future of their chapter. If the chapter was to survive the signal, they were to embrace Dorn's legacy and become proper successors of the Fists, beginning with the construction of a Fortress Monastery.

 

After arriving at the signal, it was revealed the signal simply originated from a downed Lunar Cruiser. They both began construction and the refitting of the vessel, and both was complete within a year.

 

When the techmarines of the chapter discovered ancient technology underneath the Fortress Monastery (now named Revival Palace), they sent a squad of tactical marines to go check out what was occurring.

 

After fighting off unexpected Men of Iron, and discovering a human population dedicated to the planet (now revealed to be a forge from the Dark Age of Technology), they decided to stay on the planet, protect the planet, and begin anew as sons of Dorn.

 

Codex Adherence: For the most part. Organization and such is used, but they aren't afraid to stray from the book.

 

Gene-Seed mutations: A very minor mutation makes all the Astartes with the gene-seed care for the preservation of nature, and it shows with many of their constructions, including Revival Palace. Newer Primaris Astartes, even with their incredibly pure Gene-seed, is still instilled with the same responsibilities, likely from their teachings and veterans.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Updated IA:

These details help give your Chapter character, distinguishing them from the countless Ultramarines clones seen in Games Workshop publications.

They were arrogant, brash, but deadly nonetheless, and so they found work from Inquisitors too minor to call upon official assassins,

Did they ever attack still-loyal Space Marines- including other Imperial Fists successors- the Inquisition wanted to punish for some reason, like the Space Wolves during the Months of Shame, the Celestial Lions during their clash with the Inquisition, etc.?

Gene-Seed mutations: A very minor mutation makes all the Astartes with the gene-seed care for the preservation of nature, and it shows with many of their constructions, including Revival Palace. Newer Primaris Astartes, even with their incredibly pure Gene-seed, is still instilled with the same responsibilities, likely from their teachings and veterans.

As clearing vegetation is a basic requirement for fortifying a position, a better explanation would be their new Chapter planet's culture influencing the recruits more strongly than the Chapter's indoctrination. As descendants of menial workers whose purpose was to maintain the vegetation concealing the archeotech forge from view, they probably believe camouflage- which requires maintaining "nature's beauty," so enemy eyes won't distinguish a camouflaged target from its surroundings- is a better defense than fortifications.

[Bruce Malcom]

 

Updated IA:

These details help give your Chapter character, distinguishing them from the countless Ultramarines clones seen in Games Workshop publications.

They were arrogant, brash, but deadly nonetheless, and so they found work from Inquisitors too minor to call upon official assassins,

Did they ever attack still-loyal Space Marines- including other Imperial Fists successors- the Inquisition wanted to punish for some reason, like the Space Wolves during the Months of Shame, the Celestial Lions during their clash with the Inquisition, etc.?

Gene-Seed mutations: A very minor mutation makes all the Astartes with the gene-seed care for the preservation of nature, and it shows with many of their constructions, including Revival Palace. Newer Primaris Astartes, even with their incredibly pure Gene-seed, is still instilled with the same responsibilities, likely from their teachings and veterans.

As clearing vegetation is a basic requirement for fortifying a position, a better explanation would be their new Chapter planet's culture influencing the recruits more strongly than the Chapter's indoctrination. As descendants of menial workers whose purpose was to maintain the vegetation concealing the archeotech forge from view, they probably believe camouflage- which requires maintaining "nature's beauty," so enemy eyes won't distinguish a camouflaged target from its surroundings- is a better defense than fortifications.

 

Yeah, they participated in those fights (if it doesn't clash with lore). As for vegetation...sure. I mean the Chapter's indoctrination already states this, 

 

Also, when the Crusher of Heretics fled from the planet, it also protected a few civilian vessels, and fended off attackers during their travel (the whole travel was three jumps and four months), which is where they got some of their resources and most of their first serfs. These actions saved the DAoT remnants, so their gene-pool was not degraded to the point of no return.

[Bruce Malcom]

The symbol of protection. The symbol of the Imperial Shields.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

It looks very simple. Does it reflect the Astartes' direct, "Get to the point!" attitudes, and the disdain they have towards overly complex rituals, plans and organizations that have many potential points-of-failure? Or will high-ranking and/or long-serving Astartes be allowed to embellish the shield with honor markings?