some newb questions

[Boytoy]

so, like 9/10ths of the folks who've seen the new 9th ed launch box, i'm thinking of starting up a templars force with them. however, i've got a few questions centered on a few different themes, mainly lore-related:

 

1. chains. i'm looking into using a 1mm chain for my guys to wrap around their weapons/wrists. is there another size that works best/do folks have recommendations? i'm also wondering why templars chain their weapons to themselves in the first place? i know sigismund did it because of service with the world eaters during the heresy, so there's an element of tradition, but do they use it as a sort of oath of the moment kind of thing, like a "i won't let this blade go til the killing is done" sort of thing as well? and if it is an oath of the moment kind of thing, does every marine have to have it? what about standard bearers?

 

2. aquilas. should i file the more basic aquilas off my guys' breastplates? i'm planning on leaving the more intricate ones, like the ones on the captain, lieutenant and bladeguards, in place. is it old or current lore that BT don't rock aquilas, or am i just going crazy and remembering it wrong?

 

3. rank structure. no idea how the sword brethren/upper command works. from what i remember, it operates in a similar manner to SW wolfguard in that each lord selects their retinue and they're not part of a codex-style first company, right? sword brothers are marked out with red pauldron trim, yes? and what rank would a primaris lieutenant be, a castellan? also, how do primaris neophytes work? are there such a thing as primaris crusader squads?

 

4. crusades. i'm planning on including my future templars alongside the rest of my imperial forces, which i like to think of as a coherent crusade. this includes sisters of the the order of the bloody rose, 2 IG regiments, some admech and custodes and a deathwatch contingent. is this how BT crusades normally operate, or do they kick around doing their own thing sort of solo? im putting them into my crusade regardless, just wondering if there's a fluffy reason for them to be fighting with such disparate imperials forces. 

 

ok, i think that's it. i know it's a lot to unpack, so thanks to anyone who does! really excited to be painting up some templars in the near future

[JAG Templar]

Hahaha, point number 2 may cause some debate and I’ll stay out of it.

 

I think a great resource for you is the 4th edition Black Templar Codex. It’s easy enough to find a PDF online.

[redmapa]

For number 3, the Chapter's organization is not set in stone and is completely malleable and the only thing that is solid is rank, Sword Brethren are veterans and each Marshall will have its own circle of Veterans and out of those Veterans he will mark one of them as a Castellan but the rank is temporary and used only when the Crusade is too large and needs to be split into Fighting Companies which are led by a Castellan. Their pauldron is black with a red cross and trim.

 

We dont know what a Primaris Crusader squad looks like and to be honest Im not too sure where the Neohpyte/Scout belongs within the structure of a Primaris force.

 

Regarding our Crusades, they are an ad hoc formation made by the Chapter to achieve a goal, no one else but the Chapter is part of it but in the same manner that another element may be fighting alongside a battle company there is nothing stopping you or anyone having an allied detachment representing some allied force thats part of the war. An Imperial Crusade is what has every element of the Imperial war machine acting as one force under the leadership of a Warmaster but they are a different thing to our Crusades.

[Gederas]

We dont know what a Primaris Crusader squad looks like and to be honest Im not too sure where the Neohpyte/Scout belongs within the structure of a Primaris force.

They still exist the same as they always have. The new Space Marine codex has the story of a Primaris Marine (Ultramarine, obviously, but it's still valid) and he starts as a Scout/Neophyte before progressing and getting his Black Carapace and a promotion to a Primaris Vanguard.

 

So, while we don't have pictures of a Primaris Crusader squad, it'd likely be the same as it is normally. Just with taller marines :lol:

[Medjugorje]

1. Doesnt remember exactly. But I bought really perfect ones

 

 (possible it was that one -> https://www.ebay.de/itm/Hobby-Kette-1-5-mm-antike-bronze-farbe-Kette-Modellierung/271426699755?hash=item3f324ac1eb:g:gzAAAOSw~bFWOeuz

 

 

2. A-D-B said it was a mistake to wrote that so (as far I remember). Some people like it, some does not care.

It´s on you. Officialy BT use the aquilla on their chest.

 

3. For each Crusade the Sword Brethren vote their leader. As far as I know this Marshal will elevate his brothers into other ranks. in general each higher ranked Black Templar is a Sword Brother upside from techmarines (and as far as I know) Chaplains

 

4. BT and Sisters fit perfectly together and in the God of Mars series they are part of a crusade along with AdMech and Astra Militarum. The Templar squad is very small in comparison to them but (of course) are very important.

[Marshal Reinhard]

1. Emulating Sigismund. Continuing his tradition. Will not put down their weapons until the Galaxy is all conquered. It outwardly shows that kind of mentality so you pretty much got it. And no not every marine does have to have it. It's cool when they do, but it can be a bit much to ask in some cases. I'd say the smaller links the better, and looks more realistic. 1mm would be fine looking i think.

 

2. The idea stems from a quote from Helsrech, that has been taken a bit to the extreme. There's no need to shave 'em off every marine, you can if you want to, but it's gonna be a lot of work. Just leave 'em on I say.

 

3. There is no real permanent structure at all, outside of things like the reclusiam and apothecarion. But no companies. (A sword brother will still be a sword brothr though). The magic happens when there's a crusade, and the availble forces are divided up into different temporary fighting companies that are lead by castellans, and the sword brethren are under the marshal in the marshal's household. Lieutenants are indeed castellans. There is no Primaris crusader squad like the classic marine crusader squad, though an intercessor squad or assault intercessor squad would still be called that in universe. Hopefully we'll soon get rules where we can mix and match the intercessors like classic marines can

 

4. We've always formed our own Crusades. This doesn't mean we can't or wont join crusades of other imperial factions, its often the case. Basically think of every campaign we do as a small mini crusade. The Armageddon crusade was a major crusade that involved more than 900 templar. Within that, Grimaldus essentially led a crusade that was only a single squad to defend Helsreach, the Helsreach Crusade, that was part of the greater Armageddon crusade.

Edited June 16, 2020 by Reinhard

[Sword Brother Adelard]

There was a little BT crusade in the Knight Codex led by a freeblade to find the las-impulsor STC.

 

The rank structure is clear, but an interesting hitch potch of methods of appointment prevails:

 

The High Marshal is democratically elected by the Marshals

 

The Marshals are chosen by ritual combat among the sword brethren.

 

Castellans are selected by the Marshals from the Sword Brethren.

 

The Sword Brethren are led by a Sergeant when formed into a squad of veterans.

 

Crusader Squads are led by a single sword brother. I personally think that crusader squads are just like they always have been. A mix of scouts and initiates of either type. If you think about it, Phobos crusader squads make even more sense, because everyone can infiltrate easier.

[MasterDeath]

If you use the new Assault Primaris as Initiates, the Incursors could be a standin as Neophytes. They look lighter armored (often without full helmet) and you could say, that they are only worthy of double combat knifes instead of a full Chainsword. Not in one squad of course, but its close.