DiY Chapters using Rites of Battle

[Lysimachus]

Hello all,

 

I thought while I was waiting for Part III to start, I'd try to get some of the Chapter Creation stuff worked out for my various DIY Chapters.

 

I started with one of my favourites (and the one that I would possibly use in the current game if I'm lucky enough to get a slot - yay for Ultramarine Successor Chapters!) the Emperor's Blade. Any C+C, especially from you guys who know the rules set better than I do, would be much appreciated!

 

The Emperor's Blade Chapter in Deathwatch (using Rites of Battle)

 

Why Founded: Crusade (counter to a Word Bearers Crusade)

 

When Founded: M.33 (11th Founding)

 

Progenitor: Ultramarines

 

Gene-stock Purity: A New Generation

 

Demeanour: Uphold the Honour of the Emperor

 

Chapter Characteristic Modifier: Drills and Prayers (+5BS and +5Wp)

 

Homeworld: Stewardship over Threskeia System. Fortress Monastery on Threskeia IV (Airless) but recruit from Threskeia VI (Temperate Shrine World)

 

Chapter Organization: Codex Chapter

 

Combat Doctrine: Codex

 

Chapter Abilities: (as Black Templars)

Solo Mode: Righteous Zeal

Squad Mode:

Attack: Holy Vengeance

Defence: Armour of Faith

 

Beliefs: The Emperor Above All

 

Current Status: Nominal

 

Friends: Ecclesiarchy (and by extension, Adepta Sororitas?)

 

Enemies: Word Bearers Legion

 

*****

 

I'm not sure how some of this works, particularly re the Solo/Squad Mode abilities, I wasn't sure if I could use the BT ones for a UM Successor Chapter, but they felt appropriate for their more zealous approach?

 

 

I'd also be very curious to see how other players have translated their DIYs (or lesser known official Chapters) into the DW rules?

[Steel Company]

Wow, I forgot how good Righteous Zeal as a solo mode is... specifically when facing the forces of Chaos... though after rank 3 against anything with psychic powers you're a beast too.

 

Holy Vengeance: By the Emperor! Tyber would love to be in squad mode with you for that!

 

Armour of Faith: See my reaction to Holy Vengenance..

 

Dragons of Caliban (Tyber's Chapter)

 

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Gene seed:Dark Angel

 

Purity: Flawed

 

Trial: Challenge Trial

 

Creation: Standing Prognostication

 

When was it founded: Second Founding

 

Codex Demeanor:  Suffer Not the Works of Heretics

 

Chapter Flaw:  Faith in Suspicion; Ecclesiarchy

 

Chapter Characteristics: With Bolter and Blade +5 to BS/WS

 

Chapter Hero: Fromer Chapter Maseter Corswain DeTelmar

 

Deeds of Legends: Killed by Assassinourm

 

Home World:  Civilised. Tygrus Primius – Arce Bellator

 

Dominate Terrain: Temperate

 

Relationship With World: Direct Rule

 

Codex Compliant: Divergent, lack of Flamers and well as bikes

 

Preferred tactics: Armoured Assault

 

Solo Mode: Quick Reactions

 

Squad Mode attack: Tactical Finesse

 

Squad Mode Defensive: Courage Under FirePreferred

 

combat style: Combat shield and Bolter 4^th company, 2ed company uses arming sword and bolter

 

Beliefs: Honour the Ancestors

 

Current Status:  Over Strength; They care little for the Codex... It is more of a set of guide lines anyways….

 

Chapter Friends: Elysian Drop Troops

 

Chapter Enemies:  Ecclesiarchy

 

Heraldry:   Dragon's head

 

Livery:    Black Shoulder guards with company colour trim, unpainted amour, company colour respirator areas

 

Chapter Advancement table:     No respite for the Enemy

 

Edited January 21, 2021 by Steel Company

[Lysimachus]

Are the BT ones overly good then? I don't really know what is and what isn't at this point, just thought the names sounded fitting for a devout Chapter!

 

Dragons of Caliban is a cool name, do you have an IA (or other fluff article) around for them? I'd be curious to read up!

 

I notice they view the Ecclesiarchy as an enemy, that could make for some... interesting... conversations between missions! :D

[Steel Company]

I've got about twenty-ish years of notes for them scribbled about. I've never actually gotten around to doing an IA for them, I will at some point, it just seems a little daunting. Their view of the Ecclesarichy has to do with having a chapter master assassinated during the rain of blood when he went to meet with representatives of the Brides in a temple. This distrust of temples has been on display twice in the Blackthron PBP game twice so far with Tyber. First not wanting to enter the temple, the second time expecting Solastion to shoot him with a bolt pistol while he was giving a speech in a temple.

 

I've got some of the lore complied in a document:

 

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This chapter in its current state started out as a thought experiment after reading the short story “Call of the Lion”, as it raised several questions in my mind and as of when I started to play with this idea none of those questions had been answered… this is was also at a time when the books favored the Lion having a preference for Caliban born Astartes over Terran born, the questions that came around in my head were:

1. What if a chapter with in the First Legion suffered a civil war between the Terran Culture and the Caliban Culture?
2. How would that play out between Terran Vets and Calibanite Replacements when Caliban rebelled against the Imperium?
3.  How would Terran born Veteran Astartes that had been the Emperor’s Own Legion take to being handed off to the Emperor’s son that they just met?
4. Would it fester in them being benched to an obscure corner of the crusade for being mostly Terran born?
5. Would really bother them and breed resentment towards those of Caliban origin?

Five questions that on face value, seemed simple enough, but when given some serious though (perhaps a little too much thought) started to paint an interesting idea for a chapter.

 

In the end I came around to the idea of a chapter that pays lip service to their Primarch, they acknowledge that they are who they are because of their Primarch, yet they reject him for their perceived rejection from him, in terms of themes within the chapter, betrayal, duplicity, honour and loyalty to the Emperor’s Dream.

This is best explained by the Chapter’s motto “All are subservient to the Legion; the Legion is subservient to the Emperor and only the Emperor.”

 

So thank you for reading this far to get a little context on where and how I was coming from / at the creation of this DIY chapter, now I will get into some of the meat and potatoes of this chapter, so please give it a read and feel free to leave a comment or two on it, as it can only get better with some outside input and questions. And in the end, I wish to have this fully compiled into a worthy entry into the Liber here on the B&C, so please, help me make them better.

 

Chapter Name:                 Dragons of Caliban

Gene Seed: Dark Angles

Founding: Second founding, conflicting records, claims to be the 9^th Armoured Assault Chapter of the First Legion.

Preferred combat tactics: Varies between companies

Codex compliant: Divergent

Notable divergences: Only 6 active companies, large recruitment pool, higher than normal Apothecaries and Techmarines, fewer Librarians and unusually low number of Chaplains. No bike mounted troops or jump pack equipped troops, very little use of flamers.

Home World: Tygrus (produced Tie-Jir-Us)

Tech Level: Civilized with Direct Rule by the Dragons.

 

The Dragons of Caliban maintain a direct control of their home world; this is manifest in the way that the chapter has carefully groomed the population of the world to have a high compatibility with their geneseed as well as breeding the population for their hereditary tasks.

 

Dark Angles specific details:

Q. What is their relationship like with other members of the Unforgiven?

A. Strained, the Dragons are not talked about by the other members of the Unforgiven, due to actions that happened after the sundering of Caliban. The Dark Angles maintain that no records of what occurred can be found, all that is known is that the master of the 8^th chapter fleet was killed over a matter of honour.  While the Dragons maintain that an insult was answered with a bolt pistol as well as that the matter was settled 10,000 years ago and should stay buried in the past since it was a Legion matter.

 

Q. Do the Dragons take part in the hunt for the fallen?

A. No, the Dragons maintain that it is not their problem; they solved their problem at the sundering of Caliban.

Q. How did the Dragons ‘solve their problem’?

A. Thunderbolt Protocol.

 

Q. What is ‘Thunderbolt Protocol’?

A. Thunderbolt Protocol was a response to betrayal by a freshly minted Calibanite Master that saw the Terran Master of the 1-9 removed for alleged cowardice during the compliance of a world around M2 level of development. Records however show that it was a disagreement in course of action with the Calibanite master using hostility and violence rather than the diplomacy favoured by the Terran whom was in process of leading a diplomatic compliance of the world. After events turned needless bloody and the conquest was completed the Calibanite reported the Terran master to the Lion, the Lion for his part removed the Terran from command for cowardice on the recommendation of the Calibanite Master.

Thunderbolt Protocol was set in place as a way for the Terran Astartes to remove Calibanite Astartes from their ranks should they move to betray the Emperor or the Legion.

 

Q. How and when was ‘Thunderbolt Protocol’ employed at the Sundering of Caliban?

A. As the guns from Caliban turned on the fleet, the Master of the 1-9 moved his fleet out of range of the defences of Caliban, faced with what seemed to be Caliban in open revolt against the Imperium, he activated that protocol. Once activated the Chapter’s Champion lead a several squads of specifically trained Terran Astartes armed with specialized weapons to cut down Calibanite Astartes and mortals alike, room by room, ship by ship of the 1-9 fleet. This action had been made easier on these squads, due to a decree from the Lion that had allowed all those born on Caliban to wear either a green pauldron or robes in honour of the lost forests of Caliban. This act gave rise to a tradition with in the Chapter that sees the Chapter Champion double in the position of Lord Executioner.

Q. Have Thunderbolt Protocols ever been used since the crusade?

A. Yes

Thunderbolt Protocols have been used a handful of times, usually in response to betrayal (both actual and perceived) by another Imperial Organization. Every time it has been employed, the Dragons leave zero survivors. After a quick and brutal sweep of the area, it is then bombarded from orbit to ensure that none survived the assault.

 

Q. Have such actions ever drawn the attention of the Inquisition?

A. Yes

The Dragons have been on the receiving end of Inquisitional probes several times over their history, they have become adept at hiding their numbers as well as covering up their darker actions. There also seems to be an element with in the Inquisition that is working against elements that are more actively trying to work against the Dragons. As to whom they are, they are unknown to the Dragons.

 

Q. What branch of the Imperium do they have the most trouble from?

A. The Ecclesiarchy, members of the Inquisition have on several occasions used the Sisters of Battle against the Dragons, during the Reign of Blood, the Ecclesiarchy even went as far as to assassinate one of their Chapter Masters, this resulted in the Dragons using Thunderbolt Protocols against that convent.

 

Q. What branch of the Imperium do they seem to favour?

A. Well and truly none, they mostly have those that they tolerate more than others. They have a preference for Imperial Guard regiments that are highly mechanized or air mobile as they can keep up with the Dragons when they take the field alongside them.

 

Q. How is the man power of the chapter divded up?

A. There are six main operation groups within the chapter, with at least two working closely with each other at all times.

1^st company, called the Adamantium Scales with in the chapter, take to battle in suites of Tactical Dreadnought Armour. They are often used with heavy hitting power is required in a very specialized location. They often work in conjunction with the 6^th company.

 

2^nd company, called the Iron Scales with in the chapter, they are a mechainzed combat company of approximately 155 Astartes separated into squads of 5, all in Razorbacks. This company mounts all heavy weapons on the Razorbacks, while the brothers of this company often employ blade and bolt pistol. This company works very closely with the 5^th company. Post M42 they have replaced their Razorbacks with Repulsor class tanks.

 

3^rd company, called the Void Scales with in the chapter, they man all of the warships and strike craft of the chapter. They work hand in hand with the 4^th company.

 

4^th company, called the Blood Scales with in the chapter, they are a ship boarding force. Operating in the void as a force meant to board and seize ships, they make use of boarding shields and specialized bolters that are a bullpup design with focus on being used one handed. They work hand in hand with the 3^rd company.

 

5^th company, called the Steel Scales with in the chapter, they man the armoured fighting vechiles of the chapter, everything from predators to the few Fellblades/Glaves within the chapter. They work very closely with the 2^nd company. Post M42, the Fifth Company has worked to incorporate the Astraeus and Repulsor class tanks heavily into their formation.

 

6^th company, called the Shadow Scales with in the chapter, they are specialists in infiltration and forward scouting. When the Dragons take to the field, the Shadow Scales had been operating in the area weeks before hand to mark targets and set up locator beacons for the First Company to teleport in on, in keeping with the tradition of Legion Recon squads, the 6^th company is the smallest company in the Dragons, numbering less than 50 Astartes. Post M42, the 6^th company as found that the Reiver and Eliminator type Astartes are an excellent fit with their mission profile.

 

The Chapter does not seem to make use of a scout company as they do not send out Astartes that are not able to be fitted with power armour.

 

Q. How do the Dragons train new Astartes then?

A. They have carefully engineered the population of their home world to produce a human population with a near 95% acceptance probability with the Frist Legion Gene seed. This high compatibility is maintained by sending out the larger number of apothecaries into the various settlements on the world and testing all new born males for compatibility as well as conducting yearly health checks on the male youth of the world. Despite the high compatibility, they try to keep their aspirant population at approximately 500 youths ranging between the age of 7 and 19 terran standard years with various stages of implants. The training of aspirants falls to senior brothers to train the youths from age 10 onwards in a one on one setting.

 

Q. How have the Dragons taken to Primaris Marines?

A. They refused Primaris Marines, but accepted the data and protocols for creating them; they also subjected the entire chapter to the Rubicon. This had proven devastating to the chapter as they found that roughly 75% of the chapter did not survive the process. As such they find themselves in a period of rebuilding their numbers to an acceptable level. Both the second and fifth companies have taken a strong liking to the Replusor and Astraeus class tanks.

Edited January 21, 2021 by Steel Company

[A.T.]

Was it randomly rolled for or chosen - i'm not sure which approach Mol was going for but I always viewed the tables as a way to try and create a chapter to a theme that didn't already exist.

 

In this case you've essentially rolled the black templars chapter, only as ultramarines... as an old black templars player who shelved them after they were folded into the ultramarines book I do find quite it amusing :p

 

 

 

 

  On 1/21/2021 at 4:43 PM, Lysimachus said:

Are the BT ones overly good then? I don't really know what is and what isn't at this point, just thought the names sounded fitting for a devout Chapter!

The defensive ones are very circumstancial, but good to have when you need them.

 

The attack one can get a little crazy - however the small print limits it somewhat. Only standard (aka single) attacks trigger the initial effect, though this does make it excellent for marines that need to move and engage.

Not quite up to the shenanigans of the space sharks or high fellowship ultramarines though.

[Mazer Rackham]

Very much enjoyed reading about The Emperor's Blade. :)

 

Steel's Dragons are definitely worth a look, and the friction the two of you would generate is an asset to the RP.

 

Literally everything in my IA Scions of Gehenna and IA White Paladins come from RoB, and it's an absolute bible and trove of information, histories and well worth having.  It's a great set of tables with the inspiration to create so much more and I believe owes a little of it's creation to these very boards (Maybe a sidebar, or half a page...)

 

With regard to the DW rules, as your Chapter is a custom one, it is perfectly permissible to have Solo and Squad Modes which are divergent to your parent/primogenitor.  In fact Slips had a character in my Badab War campaign who was an Executioner, hence IF Geneseed, with the Solo and Squad Modes from the Carcharodons Astra because they were a closer fit to his Chapter's way of war.

 

What is most pertinent about your UM Primogenitor are the following: 

• Primarch's Curse
• Ability Boosts
• Chapter Demeanour

The Primarch's Curse is exactly as it sounds.  Every Marine has one, and every Marine, once they hit a certain point beyond just having a Thousand Yard Stare, starts getting a bit...strange.  Astartes madness is not the same as that of mortals and it shows.  Tied to your Geneseed, it is a direct line all the way back to the Lord Guilliman, and Macragge.

 

The ability boosts are small +5 increments to two specified characteristics, which are meant to represent the bonuses that Chapter has picked up for fighting in the manner it does.  Because the Emperor's Blade are custom, this could well change, but initially you're looking at the benefit the Ultramarines have of flexibility and may choose two attributes - you lucky thing you. ;)

 

Finally the Chapter Demeanour (again, this may change in discussions with the GM), but this is a roleplaying mechanic that allows some interesting perks if done well.  For the UM's it's basically: The Codex Does Not Support This Action.

 

Otherwise, your Chapter Solo Modes and Squad Modes can be anywhere.

 

Black Templars can be great Assault Marines, and when elevated to DW Chaplain they can be close-combat monsters - but like anything, "What wars are there that require warriors like you?"  All Marines are monsters in DW in some way!

 

And thank the Throne for that. ;)

 

MR.

[Steel Company]

Speaking of the BC game MR, I was looking forward to using Sev... he was such an interestingly dark character that I'd normally use as the enforcer for a BBEG any other time...

[Lysimachus]

Thanks everyone!

 

@Steel: excellent, I'll give that a proper read through when I'm in from work tomorrow!

 

@AT: yup, I kind of did it the other way round (I think the EB probably predate the Deathwatch RPG by a few years at least!) And :D I can still remember the lamenting when that happened to the BT! Hopefully with a Supplement coming at some point this year, they'll be back in a big way!

 

@Mazer: Thank you, glad you enjoyed! My goal - for fluff and now the rules - was very much for them to have the religious zeal of the Templars, but still stick closely to the Codex in their doctrines (after all, they more or less view it as a holy book, written by a Saint and inspired by their God!)

 

With regard to the Primarch's Curse, I may have missed that so far, where is that?

[Steel Company]

Pages 280 and 281 in the core rule book.

[Lysimachus]

So, without going into the specifics of the character in the other thread, I thought I'd take a look at how one might build a Stormbringer (thanks again to Steel Company for the pointers you sent!)

 

 

Creating a Stormbringers DW Character with Rites of Battle (and First Founding)

 

Why Founded: Counter (Ork Waagh)

When Founded: M.36 (17th Founding)

Progenitor: White Scars

Gene-stock Purity: A New Generation

 

Demeanour: Cold Fury

The Stormbringers believe first and foremost in the survival of the Imperium of Man. It is their sole purpose that the Emperor’s realm should not fall, and they feel no compunction over taking whatever course they deem necessary to ensure its continued existence.The Chapter's Marines are known for their ability to make and implement such brutally pragmatic decisions with all the lightning speed that their White Scar heritage would suggest.

For example, if a battle costs the lives of one hundred civilians rather than that of a single Astartes, this is viewed as entirely acceptable, simply by virtue of their comparative value to the Imperium. In the present time, with Mankind attacked on all sides and always in desperate need of its finest warriors, it is debatable whether any could truly prove them wrong.

Many have branded the Chapter as cowardly because of their methods but such accusations are inaccurate. If a Stormbringer feels that the sacrifice is necessary, or the objective important enough, he will willingly and without hesitation give his life to achieve it. Others call the Chapter cruel, disloyal or heartless. The Stormbringers themselves feel that they are simply being efficient.

 

(I'm not sure if it's allowed to create your own Demeanours, but the WS one and the options from RoB didn't quite fit, so I took some of the material from their IA and came up with the above.)

 

Chapter Characteristic Modifier:  +5Ag and +5Int

Homeworld: Tuphon (Ocean Death World, Distant Rule)

Chapter Organization: Divergent (Strike Companies)

Combat Doctrine: Lightning Strike/Terror

 

Chapter Abilities: 

Solo Mode: As Swift as the Wind (White Scars)

Squad Mode:

Attack: Exploit Weakness (from Raven Guard)

Defence: Sudden Withdrawal (White Scars)

 

Beliefs: Honour the Ancestors (4th Chapter Master Isegrimm/Octavian)

Current Status: Nominal

Friends: None(!)

Enemies: Numerous Imperial worlds 'rescued' by the Stormbringers.

 

Primarch's Curse: Though they attempt to maintain an attitude of pragmatism and cold efficiency, the Stormbringers are just as prone to the feral rage and murderlust of their geneseed as any of their brother Successors. (Chogorian Savagery)

[Mazer Rackham]

Rock solid.

 

MR.

[Reyner]

Makes me think I should have put more thought into how a Red Talon should play haha!

[Commissar Molotov]

We can certainly tweak their rules, Reyner - if you have thoughts on how they diverge from the Red Talons, we can alter them!

[Steel Company]

I'm always happy to help with rule too Reyner, even if only in the capacity to bounce ideas off of.

[Fenrykus]

I used a lot of the tables from Rites when creating my Gargoyles. Give me a few and I can find my notes and get their abilities up.

[Mazer Rackham]

Welcome back to the Nook Fenrykus.

 

MR.