The Something Something marines - an IA in slow motion

[Graceless]

Hi everyone!

Very recently I put up some pics of the painted minis of my home-brew chapter and started to properly think about writing an IA. No sooner had my pics gone up than Bjorn Firewalker (of this parish, as they say in the papers), asked a question about my background which set my brain a-whirring in a very different direction to my original thoughts. Coupled with Freakshow668 encouraging me to get on with sorting out my background and well, here we are. So thank you both for getting me moving!

 

This isn’t so much an Index Astartes as the beginnings of the thinking about the outline of the basic structure of the broad-brush contents that might, with further work and input, become, at a push, and after some time, an Index Astartes. Maybe.

 

Chapter Name:

So where to begin? A name would be a good start however I’m not sure what… As anyone who has looked by my picture stream knows, the brave warriors of my chapter currently bestride the galaxy as the “Something Something Marines”. I have some ideas though, I promise!

 

Option 1: The “Somethings” of “A specific, and therefore unique, place/region” eg The Praetors of Orpheus.

 

This has the benefit of guaranteeing uniqueness and I do have some useable names from the Chapter background that could work here (Rejiska – the chapter homeworld, Thorbius – the sector they primarily operate in, Raddeum – the Raddeum Expanse is a stretch of space that includes/overlaps with/etc the Thorbius sector and the Something Something marines have patrolled and protected it.

 

Option 2: The “Something” “Something” marines eg Space Wolves, Crimson Guard, etc, etc

 

I think at least one of the words in a name like this needs to be descriptive of either the way the marines look and/or the way they act or behave. Eg the Space Wolves have a whole wolfy thing going which then extrapolates out to a norse/Viking theme (or possible it’s the other way around and the norse/Viking thing is distilled down to the “wolf” concept).

 

So what do I know about my chapter? Looks-wise they are in bright white armour with red and grey detailing and the chapter symbol is a dark red lions head. They defend a particular region of space (operations outside that sphere are not forbidden but are rare) and their homeworld, including their frequently attacked fortress monastery is called Rejiska. Their structure and culture is very much feudal knights inspired.

 

Therefore the words running around my head at the moment are, in no particular order: White, Radient, Knights, Pure, Pale, Silver, Crimson, Vermilion, Wardens, Sentinals, Guardians, Praetorians, Shields, Lions, Argent

 

Option 3: The “Somethings” eg the Novamarines

 

I’m not sure about this one, I think I’d prefer a two-part name but then again maybe I’ve just not thought of the right one-word name yet…

 

 

Right, that’ll do for the moment. If you have any ideas or if you think some of the words/names just aren’t suitable, let me know. I’ll add in more about the Chapter background in history in future posts so that might help.

 

 

Cheers

Graceless

 

EDIT: added "argent" from Bjorn's suggestion.

Edited June 28, 2020 by Graceless

[Brother Tyler]

What is their warrior cult like? What is the culture of their homeworld (and/or recruiting worlds) like?

[Bjorn Firewalker]

May I suggest "Argent Panthers" as a Chapter name? Argent for the white armor as well as the purifying properties of silver; Panthers for the lion on the Chapter symbol (the big cat is of the genus "Panthera") as well as the heraldic symbol of the House of Lancaster (and by extension, of House Lannister, from Game of Thrones).

[Graceless]

Hi both, thanks for your responses. Sorry for the slow reply.

 

What is their warrior cult like? What is the culture of their homeworld (and/or recruiting worlds) like?

I'll expand on this when I post future parts of the IA but for the moment: the Chapter culture, and home world, are both very feudal/knightly. Thier combat approach is a solid gun line, that is tactically flexible but strategically fixed, with "knightly charges" to break enemy formations and counter incoming assaults.

 

For flavour: On becoming a Sergeant for example, the marine is knighted (so now is called Ser Blahblah in formal situations) and is allowed/required to form a "lance", the chapter name for squad.

 

May I suggest "Argent Panthers" as a Chapter name? Argent for the white armor as well as the purifying properties of silver; Panthers for the lion on the Chapter symbol (the big cat is of the genus "Panthera") as well as the heraldic symbol of the House of Lancaster (and by extension, of House Lannister, from Game of Thrones).

I'm not sure about Panthers. Whilst you are perfectly right about the etymology of the word, I think it's too much of a stretch from the very lion-y lion head symbol.

Argent however is a great word I hadn't thought of at all. I'll add it to the list in the first post so I don't forget it.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

The "panther" is a beast in medieval legends, which are portrayed in coats-of-arms, often as lions. What drew my attention to the beast, is the following line from the beast's Wikipedia article:

Under medieval belief, after feasting, the panther will sleep in a cave for a total of three days. After this period ends, the panther roars, in the process emitting a sweet smelling odor. This odor draws in any creatures who smell it (the dragon being the only creature immune), they are eaten by the panther, and the cycle begins again.

To lure Fallen Angels to a Dark Angels successor's position, sounds like a good way to hunt the traitors. Say the Chapter has treaties with several shrine worlds, by which the Marines pledge to defend the planets and the holy shrines upon them, in exchange for the right to recruit from their peoples. To lure a Fallen Angel to these shrine worlds (and justify the Marines' presence to the planets' rulers), send out a FALSE report that the planets have something the traitors would want, e.g., a Chaos artifact was found, promising great power to its wielder.

 

When Chaos infiltrators arrive with plans to found heretical cults, the Marines hidden on-world can capture them for interrogation, and force the captives to send out false confirmation reports to their masters, luring the Fallen to their doom.

Edited June 28, 2020 by Bjorn Firewalker

[Graceless]

Part the deux

To keep the ball rolling, even if only to push myself on, I’ve tried to capture more of the Chapter information. This is still draft but I think the broad outlines are where I want them(ish).

 

Chapter Culture:

Think knightly orders: lances not squads, lots of oaths, heraldry. Sir This and Sir That. Very segregated culture, the brethren (non-knighted marines) converse with each other, the knights (veterans including all sergeants) likewise, the knight-commanders (officers) talk to each other. Obviously they talk to each other on the battlefield as necessary but I mean off the field. You’d never get a sergeant (a knight) relaxing with their squad; when they’re together it’s very formal. The sergeant would relax with fellow knights in separate messes/communal areas.

 

The Chapter therefore fits very well alongside similarly formally structured imperial organisations and finds more relaxed/informal difficult or at least “odd” to work with. It doesn’t mean they don’t respect them – I’ve got some background fluff ideas that involves the Chapter interacting with Space Wolves at some point and whilst the cultures are very, very different, they can still respect the savagery and effectiveness of the Wolves whilst being dismissive or bemused/offended by the informal culture.

 

Chapter Serfs are regarded as the property of the marine who they serve or who oversees the activity that serf is assigned to. Eg arming serfs belong to the marine they work for who will probably value them quite highly if they are good/efficient (but otherwise be pretty indifferent to them), whereas the serfs assigned to the operation of the defensive weapons on Rejiska (called the Militia) are the responsibility of the Knight Captain of the Second Host (Company) who is the Castellan of the fortress monastery.

 

Chapter Ethos:
 

Never Temper, Never Relent, Never Forsake

 

These three principles will dictate a lot of the Chapters activities from the political and strategic down to battle plans and tactics.

 

Never Temper: the Chapter does not split its forces beyond the battle-host size (oversized, non-standard codex companies), they believe the application of overwhelming force and complete overkill will allow them to resolve a situation far more quickly and they can then redeploy to other locations as necessary far quicker than piecemeal deployments that will therefore drag on. The exception to this is the “Companies Minoris” – smaller numbers of marines on specific duties; like manning chapter keeps and the ceremonial guard at the Forge World Melmend-42 amongst others.

 

Never Relent: Once a course of action or plan is decided, it will be acted upon at full prosecution without pause or unnecessary reduction in effort. This can be applied to the larger, strategic scale, enacting assault after assault never letting a foe recover, or to the tactical scale, maintaining a relentless rate of fire from the gun-line without slacking even as the number of enemy dwindles and the rate of fire is, strictly, no longer necessary.

 

Never Forsake: Once committed to, a battle, war or pledge is seen through to the absolute end. By applying the first two principles, even this commitment should not unduly inhibit nor hamper the Chapter.

 

Combat doctrine:

 

The Iron Wall (the gun-line): the Something Something marines will form a remorseless line of firepower in a battle and maintain a ferocious rate of fire the entire time. Whilst the gun-line is expected to flex during a battle, it shouldn’t be broken and the shooting should never stop.

 

Range over Rage: it is unclear whether there is a fault in the geneseed or something lacking in the Chapters hypno-training process but the brothers of the Something Somethings are not able to enter the killing rage other chapters attain so easily. Whilst in no way “weak” in close combat, the average brother cannot reach the sublime pinnacle of close quarters fighting for which the likes of the Space Wolves or Blood Angels are so famed. Further hypnotraining, reserved for those with sufficient experience on the Iron Wall and who show an aptitude for close combat, can raise marines to standards comparable with other Chapters but the total number of assault lances is consequently lower and they are always knight formations (Vanguard or Assault Terminator squads).

 

Charge of the Knights: Behind the Iron Wall wait formations of knights either mounted for armoured spearheads or lances equipped with jump-packs. These troops wait for the opportune time to charge, either breaking the enemy lines, blunting enemy charges or surging forward to link with terminators who have teleported behind enemy lines.
No combat principle or preference is ever wholly suitable for the conditions the Chapter finds itself fighting in so no battle ever totally adheres to the Chapters preferred style but the component elements will always be there albeit to greater and lesser degrees.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

The additional details are welcome, and help give your Chapter more character.

Think knightly orders: lances not squads, lots of oaths, heraldry. Sir This and Sir That.

Don't forget pages and squires. Those additional titles may serve as ranks, e.g., "Page" as as a Scout equivalent (received some gene-seed), "Squire" as as a Reserve Company Marine (received the Black Carapace that lets them use power armor, but little combat experience), and "Sir" as a Battle Company Marine (has extensive combat experience).

Range over Rage

I can't help but wonder if the "[melee weapon that is] also a gun" from RWBY is appropriate for your Chapter. Hell, the Imperium uses them itself, e.g., Custodes Sentinel Blades, Primaris Aggressor boltstorm gauntlets, the Minotaurs Chapter Master's Black Spear.

[Lord_Caerolion]

Argent Claws, maybe? I'm liking the idea of a ranged knightly Chapter, instead of the usual "knights means they have to be always doing cavalry charges"

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Argent Claws, maybe? I'm liking the idea of a ranged knightly Chapter, instead of the usual "knights means they have to be always doing cavalry charges"

As the Chapter focuses on ranged attacks, how about "Argent Archers" or "Argent Arrows"?

[Lord_Caerolion]

The Shield Argent?

[Lysimachus]

Hmm, very nice, I also like the idea of Knights that aren't obsessed with CC, it makes their knightly side more focussed in their personality and character rather than the easier method of just putting everyone on a bike with a power lance!

 

If the Iron Wall is their preferred way of fighting, why would veterans suddenly go the other way? Maybe Sternguard should be more important, and Tactical Terminators (storm bolters and missile launchers) rather than Assault Terminators would be the ideal?

 

Perhaps CC troops and their veteran equivalents could fill a more Knight Errant type role, outsiders viewed as heroic but slightly odd by the regular brethren?

 

One more thought, I agree with Bjorn that all full Marines should be Sirs/Knights. Being an Astartes, one among billions or trillions of normal humans, is a big deal. Maybe include an extra rank for vets to distinguish them? Something like:

Serfs

Squires - Neophyte/Scout

Knight - Battle Brethren

Knight Paladin(?) - Veteran

Knight Sgt

Knight Captain

Knight Commander/Marshal/??? (Knight Master doesn't sound right)

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Perhaps CC troops and their veteran equivalents could fill a more Knight Errant type role, outsiders viewed as heroic but slightly odd by the regular brethren?

Good idea!

One more thought, I agree with Bjorn that all full Marines should be Sirs/Knights. Being an Astartes, one among billions or trillions of normal humans, is a big deal. Maybe include an extra rank for vets to distinguish them? Something like:

Serfs

Squires - Neophyte/Scout

Knight - Battle Brethren

Knight Paladin(?) - Veteran

Knight Sgt

Knight Captain

Knight Commander/Marshal/??? (Knight Master doesn't sound right)

How about giving noble titles to officers, to show the Marines also have a role in governing the Chapter planet?

 

King: Chapter Master

Duke: Captain

Count/Earl: Lieutenant

Baron: Sergeant

Edited July 17, 2020 by Bjorn Firewalker

[Graceless]

Thanks for all the responses! Lots to think through and some awesome suggestions that chime with things I'd already been thinking of but not yet managed to get down on "paper".

 

Don't forget pages and squires. Those additional titles may serve as ranks, e.g., "Page" as as a Scout equivalent (received some gene-seed), "Squire" as as a Reserve Company Marine (received the Black Carapace that lets them use power armor, but little combat experience), and "Sir" as a Battle Company Marine (has extensive combat experience).

 

For no good reason what-so-ever I have always disliked the title "page" - I remember disliking it when I was still a kid and reading books about knights at Camelot etc. Squire however is a good idea and one I think i will use.

 

 

 

I can't help but wonder if the "[melee weapon that is] also a gun" from RWBY is appropriate for your Chapter. Hell, the Imperium uses them itself, e.g., Custodes Sentinel Blades, Primaris Aggressor boltstorm gauntlets, the Minotaurs Chapter Master's Black Spear.

I have one such weapon (from Artel minis I think - can't remember exactly) which I was intending to reserve for my company champion. However I've now looked up a picture of the Minotaurs Chapter Master (thanks for the links BTW) and I've basically been putting together the same mini from bits - same pose, spear and shield, helmet crest (though spartan rather than centurion style), even one foot up on a chunk of rock so I might rethink him a bit. Or maybe not.

 

 

The Shield Argent?

 

I think you may have just found my Chapter name! I really, really like this and it fits with my background/history. Thanks Caerolion! I'll write you a suitably heroic part into my history 

[Graceless]

Hmm, very nice, I also like the idea of Knights that aren't obsessed with CC, it makes their knightly side more focussed in their personality and character rather than the easier method of just putting everyone on a bike with a power lance!

 

If the Iron Wall is their preferred way of fighting, why would veterans suddenly go the other way? Maybe Sternguard should be more important, and Tactical Terminators (storm bolters and missile launchers) rather than Assault Terminators would be the ideal?

 

Perhaps CC troops and their veteran equivalents could fill a more Knight Errant type role, outsiders viewed as heroic but slightly odd by the regular brethren?

 

One more thought, I agree with Bjorn that all full Marines should be Sirs/Knights. Being an Astartes, one among billions or trillions of normal humans, is a big deal. Maybe include an extra rank for vets to distinguish them? Something like:

Serfs

Squires - Neophyte/Scout

Knight - Battle Brethren

Knight Paladin(?) - Veteran

Knight Sgt

Knight Captain

Knight Commander/Marshal/??? (Knight Master doesn't sound right)

 

Hi Lysimachus. Poor writing on my part; not every veteran would choose (or be chosen) to specialise in CC, only those who show a particular aptitude for it. The others would remain in Iron Wall units (Sternguard) or non-assault terminators.

 

I'm torn on the full marines being knights or not. I like the logic of your and Bjorns points but I've a couple of reasons I'm also not so for it. Granted neither of these reasons are "fixed" in my mind yet but more things bubbling away.

1) When a marine is knighted he earns his own heraldry. Thus Knight Sergeants have this own, individual terminators have them, dreadnoughts do too and tanks (not 100% sure how that works yet though...).

 

2) I have three ceremonies in mind as part of the chapter beliefs: Investiture Cohors (being made a scout/neophyte), Investiture Fraternis (black carapace time - a full marine) and Investiture Equites (Being made a knight and receiving/having the right to their own heraldry).

 

That said, I've not been wholly consistent as the "troops" in my Sternguard squad aren't bearing their own heraldry where as I think I want every terminator to have it. Also I've already got some exceptions in mind (banner knights - somewhat like sword brethren and wolf guard - who bear the knight captain's heraldry instead). Hmmmm, thinking time.

[Graceless]

How about giving noble titles to officers, to show the Marines also have a role in governing the Chapter planet?

King: Chapter Master

Duke: Captain

Count/Earl: Lieutenant

Baron: Sergeant

 

 

I think they'll still have more marine-y ranks but I want all of the senior officers to have multiple titles so will add in the noble rank aspects then but probably only for captains, the chapter master and other senior officers. Not sure where Lieutenants fit in the chapter yet so maybe them too.

 

For example some of my current full title sets are:

Chapter Master:

Knight Marshal of the Shield Argent

High King of Rejiska

First Knight of the Order of the Radiant Hunt

 

1st Company Captain:

Knight Captain of the First Host

Lord Commander of the Knights of the True-Iron Banner

Voice of the High King

 

I have ones for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Host (company) Captains too but you get the idea. Some are very ceremonial, some allude to the role of the captain in the formal duties of the chapter (or within it). I'm thinking the 1st company captain might be an Archduke, the other captains dukes. The other senior officers Earls.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Not sure where Lieutenants fit in the chapter yet so maybe them too.

An LT would lead platoons (20-40 Marines), serve as a CAPT's right hand, and- in the event the CAPT dies or is otherwise incapacitated- as the replacement CAPT.

For example some of my current full title sets are:

Chapter Master:

Knight Marshal of the Shield Argent

High King of Rejiska

First Knight of the Order of the Radiant Hunt

 

1st Company Captain:

Knight Captain of the First Host

Lord Commander of the Knights of the True-Iron Banner

Voice of the High King

 

I have ones for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Host (company) Captains too but you get the idea. Some are very ceremonial, some allude to the role of the captain in the formal duties of the chapter (or within it). I'm thinking the 1st company captain might be an Archduke, the other captains dukes. The other senior officers Earls.

Good choices.

[Tarvek Val]

I was going to suggest the title of Lord Commander as a command rank (and throwback to the days of the Great Crusade / Heresy), but I see you're already ahead of me. Very interesting stuff so far. 

[Graceless]

Part 3

 

Chapter History – Part 1

 

Okay then, the biggie: chapter history.
I have, as is my wont, written a story about this which goes into far more detail but also is based on the actual history vs what the chapter “thinks” happened. That’ll make more sense once you’ve read the below. Hopefully… I'll post that story up at some point too.

I’ve divided this into 2 parts, this is the overall history, the second is the investigation into the Chapter’s roots conducted after the “Revelation”. I will also add in some “notable incidents/conflicts/etc to a more polished version.

 

Founding:

The Shield Argent Chapter’s surviving records date back to the 35th Millennium however the Chapter is known to have been born in the Second Founding amongst the numerous scions of the Ultramarines.

 

Assigned to the defence of the Torbium Sector in the Raddeus Expanse, a stretch of space high above the galactic plane, the Chapter has a very specific focus on the invasion swarms of the Khera’Nex xenos type who would otherwise raid and infest the whole of the Torbium Sector and the rest of the Expanse thereafter. Within the Chapter Fortress on Rejiska, called the Barrow Tell, a vast and ancient piece of machinery dating from the Great Crusade can be activated to emit a particular radiation signature which draws the Khera’Nex to Rejiska, and the Chapter Fortress specifically, rather that appearing elsewhere in the Sector. As such the 1st Host are based permanently at the Barrow Tell as a Khera’Nex swarm can occur at any time and the other Hosts may not be in a position to return.

 

The size of Khera’Nex invasions can vary considerably, as can their frequency and predictability. Located in the centre of the Barrow Tell is a mechanicus logic engine which can predict, to variable degrees of accuracy, the size and date of the next Khera’Nex swarm. The machine can also predict where the swarm is likely to appear in the sector if not on Rejiska. The xenos use an unknown form of translocation called “meld-gates” which can occur almost anywhere though, seemingly, never too close to sources of radiation and other technological emissions. By activating the emitter in the Barrow Tell the xenos can be lured into creating their next meld-gate on Rejiska and attacking the mighty walls and guns of the fortress head-on.

 

The Chapter’s history is pockmarked with Khera’Nex swarms of particular size or viciousness however one stands out above all others. In the 154th year of the 35th Millennium, the Barrow Tell was besieged by the Khera’Nex and, for reasons that are lost to history, the fortress was not fully awakened to respond to the attacks and co-ordinate the defence. The entire structure is a series of hardpoints, kill zones, defensive lines and fall-back positions, however the defence of 154.35M, which came to be called “The Failing”, did not utilise all the available defensive properties of the Barrow Tell and a significant part of the fortress fell to the xenos before the Shield Argent were eventually victorious. Amongst the loses suffered to the Chapter were a significant number of the senior officers, who were caught in a briefing chamber when a section of the defence suddenly gave way, and the Chapter’s archives and reliquaries. The entire Chapter history was destroyed along with nearly all their sacred relics. For such a damning failure the Chapter Master declared himself penitent and departed on a quest for redemption never to be seen again.
From that point the Chapter rebuilt itself and has continued the defence against the Khera’Nex, vigilance over the Torbium Sector and unceasing war against the enemies of Mankind further afield.

 

The Primaris Revelation

 

34 years after the commencement of the Indomitus Crusade, a Torchbearer force of Adeptus Custodies and Mechanicus specialists arrived on Rejiska with Cawl’s secrets of Primaris Marines and technological advances.

 

This Torchbearer force had been specifically tasked with contacting isolated Chapters whose homeworlds or last known positions were above the galactic plane and far from other Astartes forces and the main thrusts of the Indomitus armies. As many such Chapters were significantly understrength and struggling to survive, the Torchbearers carried with them stocks of the Chapters’ geneseed to give them a better chance of rebuilding. To the shock of the Shield Argent, the geneseed stock the Mechanicus had drawn from their repositories deep beneath the surface of Mars was from the 1st Legion, the Dark Angels. Further tests carried out on Rejiska confirmed it, the Shield Argent were descendants of the Lion and had spent the last six millennia oblivious to the fact and an unknown time before that in denial of it.

 

The Failing of 154.35M was seen in a new light; the intentional destruction of the Chapter’s history and the removal of any senior officers who knew the truth. Such bizarre news has surely made its way back to the Adepts of Terra and, no doubt, to the ears of the other descendants of the 1st Legion though how they will react to the information is unknown.

 

The revelation put somewhat of a dampener on the delivery of the Primaris technology and the implementation of the new Astartes has been resisted as “unnecessary”. The Shield Argent Chapter is set in its ways and only a handful of Primaris marines have been deployed and only as a test of their capabilities.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

I think "Argent Shields" (note the plural) is more appropriate as a Chapter name. Your IA Chapter isn't limiting itself to only one member, after all.

 

Your Chapter history is competently written so far.

[Graceless]

I like the archaic sounding reverse more. Also, whilst they aren't one member, they are one chapter. The Chapter is the Shield. If you see what I mean.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Also, whilst they aren't one member, they are one chapter. The Chapter is the Shield. If you see what I mean.

United in thought, purpose, and action... a good sentiment, one all too lacking in the real world.

[Lysimachus]

I like the archaic sounding reverse more. Also, whilst they aren't one member, they are one chapter. The Chapter is the Shield. If you see what I mean.

I like this. But then, I would.

[Brother Lunkhead]

As usual, I'm unfashionably late to the party Let me start with how cool the foundation of your chapter looks. I'm a sucker for a knights in shinning armor story, and yours fits a great niche in the 40Kverse. It's not Imperial Fists/Black Templars Knightly or Dark Angels Knightly. It fits right in with the classical literature (Ivanhoe, Le Morte d'Arhur, Song of Rolan) and classic movies (El Cid, Excalibur, Kingdom of Heaven (director's cut)). I'll just comment in post order.

 

Chapter Culture, Ethos, Combat Doctrine all look good. I like the formality of the culture, which fits in nicely with the Medieval feel. Your "Never Temper, Never Relent, Never Forsake" ethos is also very fitting. This will make for a great test of character and ingenuity when the Chapter is in a tight spot. Combat Doctrine looks solid. Range over rage looks sound. Lack of rage is not a problem. The rage is more fitting for the likes of the Space Wolves and Blood Angels foundings as it is so much a part of their legacy and genetic make up.  I do think there's room for individual and squad level knightly quests, and I hope you will touch on that more.

 

 

Lysimachus

Posted 17 July 2020 - 02:50 AM

 

 

Squires - Neophyte/Scout
Knight - Battle Brethren
Knight Paladin(?) - Veteran
Knight Sgt
Knight Captain
Knight Commander/Marshal/??? (Knight Master doesn't sound right)

 

This looks most fitting and coupled with your expansion on the idea here:

 

Chapter Master:

Knight Marshal of the Shield Argent

High King of Rejiska

First Knight of the Order of the Radiant Hunt

 

1st Company Captain:

Knight Captain of the First Host

Lord Commander of the Knights of the True-Iron Banner

Voice of the High King

 

It's all very fitting for rank, ceremonial, and honor titles, so I hope you keep those. Titles like king, baron, earl, etc. might be pushing the obvious a bit. I think you can come up with something a little more exotic, yet fitting to the theme.

 

Chapter history is good. However, there are some areas that need tinkering with: 

 

The Shield Argent Chapter’s surviving records date back to the 35th Millennium however the Chapter is known to have been born in the Second Founding amongst the numerous scions of the Ultramarines.

 

Second founding chapters are pretty well established. This isn't necessarily a problem if you expand the explanation beyond lost records. Perhaps third or forth founding might be easier and more credible if you want to keep the founding story tight and simple.

 

Khera’Nex xenos type

 

I may have missed something here. Are these of your own invention or are they established in 40K lore somewhere? I'll be very embarrassed if it's the later  If it's the former, you should expand on it.

 

Barrow Tell, a vast and ancient piece of machinery dating from the Great Crusade

 

This sounds more like dark age tech than crusade era tech. Perhaps the Khera'Nex were fist encountered earlier in human expansion and thought expunged as a threat long ago.

 

It all looks very promising and I look forward to seeing more 

Edited July 23, 2020 by Brother Lunkhead

[Lord_Caerolion]

I like the archaic sounding reverse more. Also, whilst they aren't one member, they are one chapter. The Chapter is the Shield. If you see what I mean.

 

That's what I was hoping would come across in the suggestion. I could just see the initial Chapter Master naming them by looking out over the assembled Chapter and declaring "and they shall be a Shield Argent around the worlds of X". Again, going back to the knightly theme, feudalism wasn't a one-way thing, the knights owed protection to those under them (well, in theory at least). They're the Shield Argent because it is the Chapter that owes protection.

[Graceless]

 

I like the archaic sounding reverse more. Also, whilst they aren't one member, they are one chapter. The Chapter is the Shield. If you see what I mean.

I like this. But then, I would.

 

Haha, yes I can see why you would. I like your IA by the way.

 

I like the archaic sounding reverse more. Also, whilst they aren't one member, they are one chapter. The Chapter is the Shield. If you see what I mean.

 

That's what I was hoping would come across in the suggestion. I could just see the initial Chapter Master naming them by looking out over the assembled Chapter and declaring "and they shall be a Shield Argent around the worlds of X". Again, going back to the knightly theme, feudalism wasn't a one-way thing, the knights owed protection to those under them (well, in theory at least). They're the Shield Argent because it is the Chapter that owes protection.

 

So first you give me a chapter name, now you've written an opening scene. I should outsource this IA. Thanks again Caerolion