Fear of the Dark

[Kouran]

Hello Brothers,

 

I'm planning to play my RG army as the Blackwings, the 1st company. I have noticed that Aethon Shaan is the current Shadow Captain of the First, so I'm digging a bit in the character. I have read so far "Chapter's Due" (the Ultras book where Aethon and the RG have some protagonism) and I have been told that there is a short story called  "Fear of the Dark" also written by Graham Mcneill where Aethon and his squad are the main characters.

 

I need your help with two things:

 

- Does anyone knows where to find Fear of the Dark? It's no longer available on Black Library or other related ebook shops. 

 

- Has it been explained somewhere why Shaan is the current Shadow captain of the Blackwings and what happened with the former one?

 

Thanks very much for your help! I will be posting images of my Blackwings soon.     

 

[ShinyRhino]

You could ask Graham directly ay his web page. There's a Contact tab.

 

https://graham-mcneill.com/#!/fear-dark/

[Dumah]

Having read Fear of the dark, but unsure as to where it can be found now, I can report that it has little in the way of information. It's really just a 1000 word mood piece, no real insight into Shaan's character or background.

[ShinyRhino]

Looks like Vykar Kaed was the previous First Captain as recently as Damocles.

I don't think you'll find anything written about his presumed demise, meaning you can make up whatever you like. Maybe the Tau got him, or maybe he died trying to cross the Rubicon.

 

https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Vykar_Kaed

 

As for Shaan being his successor, I'd guess it's because he is the most successful Shadow Captain in the lore after Shrike. Korvydae has the black mark of Kastorel Novem on his record and everyone else was a general nobody. Aremis Koryn (from George Mann's BL stories) isn't codex canon apparently.

[Kouran]

Thanks guys! I have texted to Mcneil, let's see if he answers... 

 

Also, I'm really curious if  GW will explain us sometime how Shaan ended being the Shadow Captain of the first.

[Kouran]

So Mr. Mcneil had the courtesy of answering me. He can't give me access to the short story without BL permission  

 

He wasn't aware that Shaan had been promoted to captain of the first, he hadn't take a look at our supplement yet because he has been more focused on Heresy Raven Guard, but he said he would write something about RG in the current setting in the future because he loved the stealthy ninjas

 

Funny how GW disposes of the characters created by authors, at the point of not even asking them about their lore. 

[Jacques Corbin]

Wow, Aethon Shaan got promoted to 1st Company Captain?! Cool! I wonder if he will get a Primaris model? Doubtful, but a guy can dream.

 

I was so worried that GW was going to give us Primaris Kyrin Solaq to reinforce the stealthy gunline playstyle. I mean, look at other factions that got Primaris characters. Imperial Fists got Tor Garadon instead of a Primaris Lysander, and Salamanders got a Primaris Adrax Agathone instead of Primaris He'Stan.

 

What does a Primaris Captain of first company even look like?

[Ulrik_Ironfist]

Wow, Aethon Shaan got promoted to 1st Company Captain?! Cool! I wonder if he will get a Primaris model? Doubtful, but a guy can dream.

I agree, it's doubtful. You could always make one...

 

 

I was so worried that GW was going to give us Primaris Kyrin Solaq to reinforce the stealthy gunline playstyle. I mean, look at other factions that got Primaris characters. Imperial Fists got Tor Garadon instead of a Primaris Lysander, and Salamanders got a Primaris Adrax Agathone instead of Primaris He'Stan.

Primaris marines are not as melee focused as old marines. So it makes sense to make characters that would synergize well with shooting into primaris versions. Aggressors and Inceptors are probably the two notable exceptions to shooty primaris, but even then those units are pretty shooty.

 

 

What does a Primaris Captain of first company even look like?

Probably a Primaris cpatain statline with Gravis armor and a pistol/ccw. I wish that there was more character customization for primaris, because a Inceptor Gravis smash Captain with a thunderhammer and storm shield would be dope. But, it could be a really shooty sternguard type Intercessor captain.

 

[Dracos]

I think you will find Primaris Intercessors better at melee than you might think. I use two squads with Thunder Hammer Sergeants and they can get some work done. That's without making them Veterans. If only Reiver Sergeants had the same options they'd actually be a choice. 

 

Totally agree on the Gravis Captain being best representative of a First Company Captain. I'm also hoping for something other than being stuck with the power sword/fist combination but for Raven Guard he's okay. 

 

btw

 

https://litube.net/warhammer-40k/466849-fear_of_the_dark_-_graham_mcneill.html

[Ulrik_Ironfist]

I want to convert a Gravis captain to a smash captain. The Single engine style Jetpack thunder hammer and storm shield. I think that would look absolutely sick.

[Kouran]

I think you will find Primaris Intercessors better at melee than you might think. I use two squads with Thunder Hammer Sergeants and they can get some work done. That's without making them Veterans. If only Reiver Sergeants had the same options they'd actually be a choice. 

 

Totally agree on the Gravis Captain being best representative of a First Company Captain. I'm also hoping for something other than being stuck with the power sword/fist combination but for Raven Guard he's okay. 

 

btw

 

https://litube.net/warhammer-40k/466849-fear_of_the_dark_-_graham_mcneill.html

 

Thanks Dracos!!!

[Ulrik_Ironfist]

I think you will find Primaris Intercessors better at melee than you might think. I use two squads with Thunder Hammer Sergeants and they can get some work done. That's without making them Veterans. If only Reiver Sergeants had the same options they'd actually be a choice.

Oh, I totally buy that intercessors are a competent melee choice. I've been looking at 5 man veteran intercessor squads with auto bolt rifles, AGL and a thunderhammer sgt as an assault unit, to take objectives. I just wish they were more mobile. They would have been disgusting back in 7th edition with the free transport spam.

Edited May 22, 2020 by Ulrik_Ironfist

[Dracos]

Welcome Kouran. I thought it was a nice little mood piece. Have to say Dumah's right about it not giving much insight to Shaan.  Seemd like most the Sons of Corax. Accept bad stuff is going to happen, put your head down, and go stoically go get the job done.

[Kouran]

Let's be honest, most of our books are hard to swallow...

[Ulrik_Ironfist]

Let's be honest, most of our books are hard to swallow...

I've found the black library writers to be not great. Battletech spoiled me, NY times bestseller authors (who have written outside the universe), published historians with an actual understanding of the themes they included in their writing, knowing how to write for a broad audience, character driven stories and drama...

[Dracos]

Micheal Stackpole writing a 40k epic trilogy. Thanks. Just thanks for putting that in my head :p

[Ulrik_Ironfist]

Micheal Stackpole writing a 40k epic trilogy. Thanks. Just thanks for putting that in my head

THERE ARE DOZENS OF US!

 

Seriously though, you're welcome. Also Blaine Pardoe and Loren Coleman and Thomas Gressman. I have most all of the Novels, I collect them, but I need to start collecting and reading the Succession wars era stuff...

[Dracos]

The universe setting are so different though that I imagine 40k’s over the top levels of destructiveness and the addition of multiple sentient alien forms has made it difficult to create the more subtle layers of politics that makes BT fiction so interesting ... for me at least. 40k’s neverending war and unified (on the surface) human totally xenophobic empire is very blunt “everyone but my faction is my enemy” it good for explaining the table game but denied the authors a setting that makes BT seem more realistic.

 

That’s not saying 40k can’t be subtle but it’s subtly is in areas that aren’t well represented on the table top. I love my Marines but except for the Dark Angels Fallen I don’t see many story lines that involve intrigue. Deathwatch could go that direction if it weren’t for the rigidity most 40k fans seem to insist on in how Marines approach a xenos race (*cue chainswords*) Grey Knights sort of. The Inquisition of course is our best bet but limited. Again just my opinion

 

My absolute favorite 40k has always been Ciaphas Cain and Gaunts Ghost. They are human and entertaining in very different ways. Most importantly they are humanistically centered. I love Marines but they (and even most the inquisitors) are the equivalent of superheroes. They are hard to relate to unless the authors are just top shelf. Marines might fight for humanity but they left humankind behind in the process of becoming Marines. It’s hard to write good fiction that we can relate to 8ft armored super soldiers.

 

Sorry rambling. I don’t voraciously read books like I use to but I’m going to give Dawn of Fire a real close look.

[Ulrik_Ironfist]

The universe setting are so different though that I imagine 40k’s over the top levels of destructiveness and the addition of multiple sentient alien forms has made it difficult to create the more subtle layers of politics that makes BT fiction so interesting ... for me at least. 40k’s neverending war and unified (on the surface) human totally xenophobic empire is very blunt “everyone but my faction is my enemy” it good for explaining the table game but denied the authors a setting that makes BT seem more realistic.

I definitely agree there. Though, there is potential for humanizing the space marines a bit by introducing the element of what is human enough? How to balance what is potentially heresy with what is doing the best thing for the imperium? Cooperating with Eldar is heresy, but what if it helps the imperium?

 

 

That’s not saying 40k can’t be subtle but it’s subtly is in areas that aren’t well represented on the table top. I love my Marines but except for the Dark Angels Fallen I don’t see many story lines that involve intrigue. Deathwatch could go that direction if it weren’t for the rigidity most 40k fans seem to insist on in how Marines approach a xenos race (*cue chainswords*) Grey Knights sort of. The Inquisition of course is our best bet but limited. Again just my opinion

See, though I think that the fan's expectations is shaped by the fact that the fiction has been written by mediocre writers. Black library only knows how to write Rigid characters, and not interesting or "human" ones. a seemingly rigid character is easy to portray on the tabletop, but it's dull in fiction, unless that character is a foil for a more nuanced one. I think that there's potential. And now I have to try to write some interesting space marine fan-fiction...

 

 

My absolute favorite 40k has always been Ciaphas Cain and Gaunts Ghost. They are human and entertaining in very different ways. Most importantly they are humanistically centered. I love Marines but they (and even most the inquisitors) are the equivalent of superheroes. They are hard to relate to unless the authors are just top shelf. Marines might fight for humanity but they left humankind behind in the process of becoming Marines. It’s hard to write good fiction that we can relate to 8ft armored super soldiers.

Yeah, space marines are like superman. Hard to write when they're the most powerful thing in the setting. But even superman has been done interesting.