The Strigoi (LASC 2021) - Updated 26/03/21

[Deadass]

A fine addition to their character, especially with the horrors of their appetite for the fallen corpses of their enemy. Do the Reivers tend to form their skull masks into open maws or fanged varieties to add further to their aspect of causing fear whilst brutally assaulting? Might push them a little too close to Night Lords territory, but if balanced could work with the Blood Angels' afflictions.

 

Cambrius

 

Thanks! I'm actually planning to model my Reivers with chainswords and Night Lords legion helmets, so you're not far off.

 

 

A fine addition to their character, especially with the horrors of their appetite for the fallen corpses of their enemy.

The fact the Omophagea is one of the gene-seed implants a Marine receives, easily justifies such actions as efforts to gather intelligence, as well as spread terror among enemy and ally alike (in the latter case, convince Imperial allies it's a VERY BAD IDEA to switch sides).

Do the Reivers tend to form their skull masks into open maws or fanged varieties to add further to their aspect of causing fear whilst brutally assaulting?

This is a good idea for the Sanguinary Guards' death masks, providing room for psychic amplifiers with which to generate a terrifying aura. I joked that Yosef Hausakluif's Chaplain installed a meltagun in his skull helm's open jaws.

 

I've got a similar idea in mind; I described some of it when I wrote about their Terror Masks in the 'Reliquary'-section of the article. I'm planning to represent those on the Impalers with Khorne Berserker heads, converted kinda like what some folks do to represent Sarum-pattern helmets.

[Brother Lunkhead]

Greetings Brother Horrible,

 

It's good to see the Strigoi back after a long absence. I like the additions you've made  Your idea of using adapted Night Lord helmets for the Reivers looks good. I also like the idea of converted Khorne Berserker heads for you Impalers.

 

With what you've put together so far, the Strigoi look suitably brutal, scary, and a force to be reckoned with. So long as you stay away from the wanton sadism the characterizes the Night Lords (and I don't think there is any worry there) no one should confuse them with that band of traitors. 

 

The narrative you've put together so far for your Chapter's history is a good read and I look forward to seeing what you add to it.

 

All in all it's looking very solid

[Deadass]

Thanks! That means a lot.

 

And yeah, I've got no plans to turn the Strigoi into grey Night Lords (not any more than they are already at least). I'm actually unsure about how exactly I'll formulate the chapter's character when I cover their culture and traits, hence why I may write that last. It's also the most important aspect of a homebrew chapter in my opinion, beyond even combat doctrine or color schemes. I hope what I'll come up with fits into the rest of their story, of which I'm glad to hear that it is enjoyable to read.

 

But yeah. As I said, next up: Appearance!

[Deadass]

Update time! As announced, this one concerned the appearance of the Strigoi. Apart from the usual minor changes in syntax or phrasing, there were two big things that I added or improved:

 

• The chapter got both an armorial and a scheme based on Forge World art slates. Their poor quality makes them less than perfect, so I will redo them if/when I get a hold of higher quality scans of Mark 5 armour and a generic pauldron.
• I've also gone into detail in regards to their scheme, badge and heraldry. I'm pretty happy with these parts as they were very straightforward to write.

 

Lastly, I've been thinking about some of the very early criticism I got from Ace about some of the stuff I wrote to inform you about the character of the chapter as a whole. Looking back on it I think it doesn't hold up well next to the other updates and might even be a bit contradictory. As a result, I will improve the 'Culture and Traits'-section next. This one is likely gonna take a while, so the thread will go dormant again unless there are any more questions that need answering.

 

Until then, happy homebrewing!

-Horrible

[Bjorn Firewalker]

As someone who writes- and who has to re-read and rewrite my stories to correct mistakes I missed the first time around- I understand the challenges you face, and the frustration they bring.

 

Good luck. May your new efforts prove fruitful, and earn praise.

[Brother Lunkhead]

Nice work on the Mark V..... he looks suitably dark and spooky

Looking forward to your next installment.

Edited March 14, 2020 by Brother Lunkhead

[Brother Cambrius]

Nice work on the Mark V..... he looks suitably dark and spooky

Looking forward to your next installment.

... THAT LOOKS FANTASTIC! I'm a complete sucker for Forgeworld styles heraldry showcases and I love the extra details on how they present their amrour and arms.

Really wish I had Mk V Heresy armour now for my Legio Deathwatch...

This article's come on incredible leaps and bounds, well done indeed AHorriblePerson! :tu:

Cambrius

[Deadass]

Thanks a lot! The end goal is for my homebrews to fit in with the canonical factions, and adding stuff like those art slates definetely helps. I've got ideas for a couple more which I'll create once I've completed the corresponding lore snippets. Limiting myself to using scans from FW's blackbooks is restraining me a bit in regard to what I can display, but it helps with keeping my own art slates looking like they're from the same mould as the official ones.

 

Speaking of lore, I've written down some notes about the chapter cult of the Strigoi as well as their genetic traits. Even with the Blood Angels' quirks being so well-known, there's some more obscure details I'd like to put my own spin on. I'm trying to think of more before I sit down and write a proper piece for the article... I guess I have to thank Covid-19 for having the time to do so.

Edited March 22, 2020 by AHorriblePerson

[Deadass]

I am back, and I bring new updates!
 
As I mentioned last time, I sat down to cover the 'Culture and Traits'-section in appropriate detail. It's been very difficult to put my thoughts for this part of the chapter's personality into words, but I think I am happy with the results.
I think I'll also start including a link to the Master Post into these posts, just for the people that might want to (re-)read the article as a whole.
 
First up is...

Hidden Content

The Wrath of Angels
Sanguinius’ gene-seed provides his sons with qualities unique among the Adeptus Astartes. The spawn of the IX legion have proven themselves tenacious, uncannily resilient and possessed of the singular ability to recruit from almost anywhere as the Blood Angels themselves exemplify by transforming the rad-poisoned nomads of Baal Secundus into potent warriors cast in their primarch’s fair image.
Of course it is their more aberrant quirks for which the bloodline is famous; the twin flaws that have coloured their history for over ten millennia. Most prominent of these is the Red Thirst, that primal craving for a foe’s flesh and blood which has to be held in check constantly lest its bearers tear themselves apart. The Black Rage on the other hand manifests itself only at the end of a battle-brother’s lifespan. It is simultaneously the strongest tie to their primarch and the greatest burden they possess, forcing them to experience their progenitor’s final moments in a delirium from which there is no escape. It is a wicked irony that their own flesh ensures that these space marines die as they lived; caked in gore, screaming oaths to a father that cannot hear them.
The Strigoi’s abandonment of their parent chapter’s arcane, blood-cleansing technologies in favour of overt cannibalism countless generations ago mutated the curse in their genes to an extent blatantly visible to those of the Blood. Many battle-brothers appear strained by some unseen effort as their faces, so famously reminiscent of their primarch’s features are marred by pallid, craggy skin. Hushed whispers speak of their sins revealed and the signs of unforgivable deviancy in a chapter with an already unsavoury reputation.
The barbaric practises of the chapter are no mere attempt to satiate their urges, though. Instead, the cause for the excessive bloodletting of the chapter is their belief that the Red Thirst is not part of their curse, but the greatest weapon bestowed upon them by the Emperor of Mankind himself. It is their purpose to turn these powers upon the alien, the daemon and the traitor with unrelenting force and prove the will needed to reel their inner brute back in once the day is won. Such a path holds opportunities for glory and madness in equal fashion, but the Strigoi march on undeterred. Sanguinius’ blood boils in their veins by design, and to neglect its call is to neglect their duty.

This is the part I enjoyed writing the most, simply because it made me draw on Blood Angels lore not everyone might be wholly aware of, specifically parts of The Devastation of Baal and The Horus Heresy: Malevolence (Tell me if you recognise what I mean!). I also wanted to address the issues pointed out by Ace right at the beginning of the thread about the chapter's relationship with the Red Thirst. I hope my idea for that part of their lore is a bit clearer now, but even if it's not, don't worry - I have a bit more lore planned which deals with the flaw.
 

The next task was to talk about the whole 'war is life, life is war'-attitude the Strigoi have taken to. A big inspiration for that was the Fire Hawks chapter, who can be read about in Imperial Armour 9 (I really hope they didn't all just become the Legion of the Damned - it'd be rad if the warp spat them out in the era Indomitus and they just went around torching daemon worlds). Anyway, here's their chapter cult, called...

Hidden Content

The Credo Bellicosa
No chapter of imperial space marines is without its tenets, rites and customs. The Strigoi do not appear to be shaped by the traits of their homeworld and its people like many of their brothers and cousins, but they bear their own idiosyncrasies nevertheless. What values they possess are the result of centuries of campaigning among the stars, distilled into a chapter cult of little complexity and great magnitude.
To the Strigoi, martial prowess is everything. Through their efforts to be the Emperor’s blood-stained tools of death, the art of war has saturated the chapter’s traditions; so much so that it informs the sole standard by which all battle-brothers measure each other. Swordsmanship, mastery of the Thirst, a keen tactical mind - all this and more are tested by the chapter and rewarded accordingly with trophies, battle honours and kill-markings. A brother’s armour is almost as central to his personality as the scars on his face because they tell his story. Chained skulls are testament to the defeat of a powerful foe, a campaign badge may symbolise a battle that has shaped the wearer like no other since. Outsiders too are judged by these standards, both their past and present deeds forming the basis for their relationship with the chapter.
It is rare for a member of the chapter to tread a new path and verse themselves in another craft, defaming them as dull or shallow among their more distant peers. Nothing could be further from the truth, as few imperial organisations are blessed with an understanding of combat and warfare as comprehensive as theirs. The Ultramarines may make fine statesmen while the White Scars produce accomplished poets, but the Strigoi are a brotherhood of warriors and generals first, last and always.

I hope that last part doesn't feel too self-aggrandising, but after mulling it over for an hour, I decided it should be fine.
 

Lastly, I changed a bit of the background concerning the Bloodied Maw! More criticism from Brother Lunkhead that I tried to address. I also included a visual reference :

Hidden Content

The Bloodied Maw
Inspired by the coming-of-age rituals of their homeworld, the mark of the Bloodied Maw represents the only example of veriadan influence in the chapter and is treated as an informal veteran’s honour, none without it ever having been elevated into the first company elite. Similarly to its spiritual predecessors, the mark is bestowed upon accomplishing a great feat which ranges from reaching a certain year of service to the participation in a particular military manoeuvre. Visually, the Maw can best be described as a pattern applied on the battle-brother’s helmet in arterial red - true to their cult of individuality, the marking takes a different form for each bearer.

 

Oh yeah, I also largely rewrote the 'Order of Battle'-part. I didn't really include new information, but it sounds a lot better now imo.
 
I'll revisit the sections about Veriad and the chapter's recruitment next. I've got a better idea of how I want to handle the Strigoi replenishing their numbers, and so I am going to redo those pieces completely.
 
Until then, tell me what you think of these new additions! Can't wait to hear some feedback on the Credo Bellicosa.
Happy homebrewing!
 
-Horrible Edited April 11, 2020 by AHorriblePerson

[Bjorn Firewalker]

The additional details are well-written, and welcome. The Strigoi seeing the Red Thirst as a blessing the Emperor bestowed upon them, is an imaginative touch, though one that may lead the Blood Angels to shun them; was this your intention?

[Deadass]

Precisely.

[Brother Lunkhead]

Hail Brother Horrible,

 

The new editions look good. The Red Thirst as gift rather than a curse is indeed a nice touch.Given the bellicose nature of your Chapter, I think the blood rituals so prominent in other chapters are best kept to a minimum and simple. I don't see the Strigoi as given to sentiment. As I recall, Battle Brothers feast on their dead foes on the battlefield. I hope you keep that, as it is the most telling expression of who and what they are.

 

Your explanation for the Bloodied Maw looks very solid.

 

As far as the end of the Credo Bellicosa sounding self aggrandizing goes.....well, it does Brother, it does. But, that's as it SHOULD sound.

 

Good stuff.

Edited April 10, 2020 by Brother Lunkhead

[Deadass]

Thanks, dude! Good to hear that the wording is appropriate; as long as that's given I am content. I'm also glad that you approve of the revised background regarding the Maw, seems like I plugged that hole successfully.

 

You're spot-on about staying away from blood rituals; I feel like the Strigoi slake their thirst quite successfully by, well, having a snack on the battlefield. That's why I wrote that bit out. I want them to feel a lot less ceremonious than their progenitors, as a huge inspiration for these guys were the 9th legion's pre-Sanguinius days.

 

Again, glad to see you like what I put out! There's more to come soon-ish.

Edited April 10, 2020 by AHorriblePerson

[Brother Lunkhead]

Mmmmm........sssnnnaaaacks on the battlefield

[Lysimachus]

Really nice IA, very well written and lots of cool details! Love the colour scheme and the choice of MK V for the pic, very fitting.

 

I'm honestly not a huge fan of the name, for me it doesn't fit very well with the usual naming conventions for Chapters generally, or Blood Angels in particular? I could more see Strigoi as a moniker they've come to use...? However, that's a big deal to change, so if you're happy with it, that's cool.

 

One other point for consideration though, you mention that they are focussed on warfare to the exclusion of all else, how does that affect Chapter specialists? Apothecaries, Techmarines, etc, I notice they aren't included in the article anywhere? Do they just use Chapter Serfs in these roles, or ship them in from the allied Forgeworld? If they do use full Astartes, how do they get them to take any interest in learning the (non warfare related) skills they need? Might be something to add to Chapter Organisation?

[Deadass]

Really nice IA, very well written and lots of cool details! Love the colour scheme and the choice of MK V for the pic, very fitting.

 

I'm honestly not a huge fan of the name, for me it doesn't fit very well with the usual naming conventions for Chapters generally, or Blood Angels in particular? I could more see Strigoi as a moniker they've come to use...? However, that's a big deal to change, so if you're happy with it, that's cool.

 

One other point for consideration though, you mention that they are focussed on warfare to the exclusion of all else, how does that affect Chapter specialists? Apothecaries, Techmarines, etc, I notice they aren't included in the article anywhere? Do they just use Chapter Serfs in these roles, or ship them in from the allied Forgeworld? If they do use full Astartes, how do they get them to take any interest in learning the (non warfare related) skills they need? Might be something to add to Chapter Organisation?

Hi, thanks for reading!

 

The name choice was deliberate as I wanted the name to be another aspect of the chapter proclaiming their estrangement from the Blood Angels. We see their successors calling themselves 'Flesh Eaters' and 'Blood Drinkers', but calling themselves outright monsters felt even more out there. Sometimes it's a bit difficult to fit into the text, but the name has grown on me. I think it'll stay.

 

Hmm, regardig the other point, I think you misunderstood my intention with the Credo Bellicosa. It is not supposed to influence or invade the chapter's organisational Structure, but rather to inform about their outlook on their lives as sons of Sanguinius: they are weapons bred for war, and all that comes with it.

The chapter does have all codex-standard specialist officers, including apothecaries and techmarines. I included an off-hand remark about the latter in the Relics section, actually. The Strigoi are still space marines, and therefore pragmatists above all - they wouldn't let a set of beliefs get in the way of effectively waging war, something I also tried to emphasise in the 'tactics'-part of the article.

 

Either way, thank you for the feedback! Glad to see that the chapter is drawing in new eyes.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

I'm honestly not a huge fan of the name, for me it doesn't fit very well with the usual naming conventions for Chapters generally, or Blood Angels in particular? I could more see Strigoi as a moniker they've come to use...?

"Flesh Tearers" doesn't fit well with Blood Angels Successor Chapters' naming conventions, but they received the name because their First Chapter Master was nicknamed the "Flesh Tearer" for his ferocity in battle. AHorriblePerson can easily claim his Chapter's First Chapter Master was nicknamed the "Strigoi" for walking unseen among the enemy as he gathered intelligence, sabotaged the enemy's efforts, and assassinated enemy leaders.

[Deadass]

Interesting idea, actually! I think I'll keep the identity of their first character ambiguous though, like much of their founding-era history.

[Lysimachus]

Hi, thanks for reading!

 

The name choice was deliberate as I wanted the name to be another aspect of the chapter proclaiming their estrangement from the Blood Angels. We see their successors calling themselves 'Flesh Eaters' and 'Blood Drinkers', but calling themselves outright monsters felt even more out there. Sometimes it's a bit difficult to fit into the text, but the name has grown on me. I think it'll stay.

Fair enough, I don't dislike it as a thing to call them, it just feels a little unusual. If that was the goal, then cool. Side point, while Flesh Tearers and Blood Drinkers aren't typical of BA naming, they still fit perfectly within the larger Space Marine name formats, Noun Noun (others being Adjective Noun, Descriptor Noun, etc, etc) Trying to think of some that are one word monsters now... Chimeras comes to mind, but I'm not sure if they're DIY or official.

 

Anyway, that's not intended as an argument against the name, just random thoughts on the subject!

 

Edit: Gorgons, Minotaurs, probably others so to be fair there is reasonable precedent.

 

 

Hmm, regarding the other point, I think you misunderstood my intention with the Credo Bellicosa. It is not supposed to influence or invade the chapter's organisational Structure, but rather to inform about their outlook on their lives as sons of Sanguinius: they are weapons bred for war, and all that comes with it.

The chapter does have all codex-standard specialist officers, including apothecaries and techmarines. I included an off-hand remark about the latter in the Relics section, actually. The Strigoi are still space marines, and therefore pragmatists above all - they wouldn't let a set of beliefs get in the way of effectively waging war, something I also tried to emphasise in the 'tactics'-part of the article.

 

Either way, thank you for the feedback! Glad to see that the chapter is drawing in new eyes.

No worries! Interesting you mention the Relics section, that was part of what gave me the impression, I can't see any ref to Techmarines? Chapter serfs yes, then everything seems to have been built by someone else (Forgeworld, etc) and kept by the Chapter? Again, I can't see any problem with it either way, but it might be worth clarifying in the article?

[Deadass]

It's in the same entry as the remark about chapter serfs, riiiight there:

• The Dirge of Thalis - The roar of this masterwork assault cannon represents not the fury of the chapter it serves, but rather the contempt of its long-dead creators. Hailing from the forge world of Thalis V, the weapon is all that remains of a civilisation of master weaponsmiths after an invasion by a stray tendril of Hive Fleet Leviathan. In spite of the Strigoi avenging them by annihilating the tendril in a colossal space battle, their loss remains a devastating blow to the imperial war effort. Awarded a place in the chapter reliquary, the cannon is honoured extensively, its ammunition hand-crafted by the chapter’s serfs and stored in a stasis field when not in use. When called to action, its rudimentary machine spirit burns with the hatred of a murdered world - especially so when it sees combat against the Great Devourer, according to the testimonies of several Strigoi techmarines. Woe betide the damned souls privy to hearing the Dirge of Thalis.

 

I'd say most people would correctly assume that the Strigoi emplore the usual cadre of specialist officers since I've never mentioned the opposite, though. I won't include an extra remark about them in the article; I feel like it'd sound kinda ham-fisted.

[Lysimachus]

??? I read through that section at least 5 times yesterday and I could have sworn that wasn't there... Ah well, I must be losing my mind or something? Anyway, it's there and clarifies the point, so all good.

[Deadass]

Not a particularly large update today, but I created a second version of the chapter symbol. I like this one a lot better as it doesn't look as comical as the other one (I based it on the Death Guard badge, so there's another layer of FW-book authenticity I suppose).

[Brother Lunkhead]

I like the new skull. It is gritty with less comic book feel. The canines get abit lost in miniature. You might consider making them a little thicker.

[Fenrykus]

I like the new design as well. Looks great.

[Deadass]

I finished knocking together a first model for the Strigoi earlier this morning, a lieutenant armed with a power (read: chain-) axe and -sword:

I'm pretty pleased with this brutal boi - he's got the exact aesthetic I'd imagine the chapter to embody. If I decide to pull the trigger on an entire army of these lads, he'll be invaluable as a reference model!

I'm still chipping away at new homeworld- and recruitment sections, the former is half way there. I think the next update will be due sometime in June.

Edited May 22, 2020 by AHorriblePerson