Return of the Void Rangers - Still WIP but improved

Commander Nicky · August 2, 2021

Okay, here is a shot with them:

Intro:

Roaming the edge of space and the Imperium’s borders, The Void Ranger Chapter of the Emperor’s Space Marines is a relatively mysterious if not unknown Chapter. A non-codex Chapter, relatively little information is available on them, and that which are, are from questioning sources. This is not only a byproduct of the Chapter's aloof relation with the other Imperium bodies, but also, so it seems a lack of insight and strained relationships with the Adeptus Terra. The Void Rangers are relentless in pursuit of the enemies of the Imperium and are always on the warpath to a new conflict, traveling almost exclusively from one warzone to another. They almost only seem to be stopping for resupplying, rearming, and recruiting which they do almost undiscriminating. Indeed, the Chapter has already several ongoing conflict with other Chapters as there has, as far as the Void Rangers concern, been distribute over recruitment rights. In these incidents other Chapters, seem to have proclaims the recruitment right to certain worlds. Of most notable is the “Unforgiving” chapters; The Angels of Vengeance and the Angels of Redemption but also the First Founding Chapter the Dark Angels, which the Void Rangers seems to have disregarded, and the Chapter has face censure on more than once for these action by other Chapters and The Adeptus Terra. Theses one-way grudges, however, seems not to bother the Void Rangers as the approve of the honor duels sometime demanded and view the competition with these chapters as a way of proving their skills at arms.

Because of their almost nomadic habit, it is unclear to this adept of Terra if the Void Rangers possess a base of operations, and from where the origin of the Chapter's main recruitment and resulting take place. Always wandering and patrol the outer edge of know space they seem to prefer the Segmentum Pacificus, more specific the area of space known as the Hasark's Path which is where Chapter is suspected of unofficial protecting. Indeed, several unofficial reports requested by the inquisition has confirmed this to be the "lair" of this Chapter, if any can be found. The Chapter is however known for its loyal tendency to the Imperium and once they have committed themselves to a campaign, they will, it seems, fight on till whatever end. Be it their death or that of their foes.

History:

The Void Rangers are of an unknown Founding The many ancient relics of highly advanced technology would suggest they are of an early founding. Agents of The Adeptus Terra, however, point to the fact that they are not mentioned in any report before the 34th millennium and therefore suggest the Void Rangers to be of a later founding which were blessed with several "gifts" by their founding Chapter. Still other describe them as a merger of several understrength Chapters of the same lineage who, after their Founding Chapter were destroyed in a disastrous campaign, united to form a new Chapter so their Founding’s lineage would not die out. The real story behind the Void Rangers is secret know only the a few high ranked members of the inquisition and even among them, much is uncertain. Some of them tell that the first members of this Chapter of striders walk amount the stars with the Emperor, that they can track their line back to some of the first Legionary Astartes. This would at least go on to explain the large amount of the Raptor Imperialis mark which is found on the armor of many of the current members of the Void Rangers.

These legionaries, who lived and fought in the Great Crusade, where on their way back to a regrouping ground from some forgotten campaign when they learned of the Horus Heresy. Which battle they fought, and against who in unknown. What is known, is on their way to join the Siege of Terra they were lost. Gone thought never seen again... until their warships appeared over Terra's orbitals... 3 millennials later than expected. They had been lost in the Warp and thought extinct. When it was discovered who they were and how they had been "belated" they despaired. They saw their final journey as a failure on their part and the felt the taste of bitterness at everything they had built being destroyed. Had they been there, at the final Battle at the Siege they might, they believed, had prevented they loss of everything they hold dear. They felt ashamed for "failing" their Primarch's last mustering of his Legion when the time for the final battle approach, they felt ashamed for "failing" the Imperium, for letting it crumple, but most of all they felt ashamed for "failing" their Emperor in his hour of need; For letting him die.

They were meet by the High Lords where bond they were giving a solemnly order: Go to the stars, rout out every enemy, every traitor, xeno and mutant in the Imperium. Route them out and annihilate them. Do this and your failure will be forgotten. And so, they, these legionnaires, obeyed and with this the Void Rangers Chapter was born.

Other speak of the Chapter going back to the 6th Founding. This chapter’s initial founder was a brother-captain by name of Koretada, who is believed to have been a long serving watch captain of some renowned from the lineage of Jaghatai Khan. Koretada, on returning from his vigilance, was made Chapter Master of a new founding, but upon his journey to the inauguration of his new command, the ship he was traveling aboard was cast of in the Warp. Upon reentering real space, his ship encountered an ancient ship. Some say it was the remains of a powerful ancient warship of forgotten design, other a mighty battleship of the Great Crusade and some even whispers that was a Terran relic from before the Old Night. What was certain is, that upon arriving at his destination, Koretada was meet with as awe as alarm when his ship brought with them the mighty behemoth in tow. As the ship has barely been investigated (according to Chapter Master Koretada) the entire chapter were to send to board and investigate the hull, given that the chapter were to receive salvaged right of the ship, the technology and artifacts bare what the inquisition and Adeptus Mechanicus deemed useful to the Imperium. According to the official report, as it turned out, the chapter found more than they could have dreamed for including several near-complete STC’s, relic of arms and armor millennials old, precious minerals and technology of immense value according to the Adeptus Mechanicus. As for the ship, it was all but unmanned and empty of life forms, but with the majority of power systems were found to be still functioning. What the chapter else found in those dark shafts, what secret they found, and forbidden relic the uncovered, none but the delegation from the inquisition can tell. They too would later investigate the hull but uncovered nothing more than the chapter did according to the officials. However, one question which was never fully answered by Chapter Master Koretada, was: when first encountering the ship, when first boarding and investigating it, did he find any survivors? Did he find any of note? Any tomes, relics, artifacts; anything the inquisition might need or like to know about. While he did provide an answer. He like the rest of his chapter did not discuss much about this, and the true remain eluent. The Chapter do not talk about this. They do not discuss who they found alive, what secret they had and what information they found. Something, they say, are perhaps best forgotten...

Homeworld:

The Void Rangers are a Fleet Based Chapter and operate from the relic-ship Act of Resolve. It is told that the Act of Resolve was salvaged by the Void Ranger. Then re-commissioned after an extended refit and entered the service of the Void Rangers as their Flagship. The Relic-ship is a hybrid lance attack-fleet carrier, which gradually became the Chapter's Fortress Monastery.The Void Rangers do not have a fertile world of their own to call home or recruit from a single world. They seem to prefer recruitment form several federal worlds in the severely dense region of Segmentum Pacificus called Hasark’s Path. It has however, also been noted, that they also make mass influx of recruitments on the move.

However, if the Void Rangers should call a planet for home, it would be Edo Major. To most, it would have seen as a bleak or desperate decision for the Void Rangers to choose the Edo System. A dead world, they have managed to eke out a harsh existence amongst the shattered worlds of this isolated star system. Eons ago, two of Edo' four worlds collided, shattering them into countless fragments, and leaving the system a broken, desolate place, choked with shards of dead rock and blasted by cruel, radioactive solar winds. The Edo System is a miserable, lonely realm, ruled by a decrepit red star, with no natural resources of interest on Edo Major and few on Edo Minor, the only source of interest found in the Edo system. and far from habitable space. It is in this haunted place, that the Void Rangers has managed to build a fixed base of operations upon the world of Edo Major. called Old Spike, it consists of twisted spires of ebon rocks which rises from the surrounding wasteland. From low orbit, there is no visible structures and no evidence of human artifice. It is only the uneven rock faces, crags, and crevasses, which gives it away. All around the base, and in the cracks and shards of dead rock in the voids lies all manner of hidden defensive batteries and sally ports. The Old Spike looked like a lonely outcrop on a lonely world. In truth, it is a vivid haven of activity. The Void Rangers lives alongside the void tribes that infested the system, only tolerating them because they recruit the youngest and strongest youths as potential Aspirants.

Organization:

The Chapter on the whole is a non-codex chapter or though they, on the surface seems to follow many of their tenders. Many adepts of administration have pointed to the similarity between the Void Rangers and The Salamanders Chapter in their organization; being divided into 6 larger companies or Warhosts and a minor 7th company for raw recruits and the Chapter's Vanguard forces.

The basic formation of the Void Rangers are the Clans, lead by a Clan Lord, each roughly equal in size to a unaugment codex compliant demi-company, al though all departments of the Void Rangers, such as the Apothecium or Library, are also considered a Clans. These “support Clans” are spread out among the “War Clans” and a considered an “honorary” clan-member. The “War Clans” whose Clan Lord are little more than a lieutenant are expected to be an autonomy battle formation, ready to respond to any challenges required by them. War Clans are grouped into Warhosts which at the minimum consists of two War Clans or a War Clan and a “Specialized Clan” which apparently are consists of auxiliary such as scouts and Vanguard forces, armored support, or even more specific units such as void boarding units, heavy mechanized infantry, or terminator squads. The later seems to be grouped into a Clan by themselves, not unlike a 1st company, but only at only a demi-company size. These “Specialized Clans” seems to hold a more revered position within the Void Rangers’ rank.

An expected position in the order of ranks, squads, and Clans, has been observed, were the Void Rangers seeming ready to take up a new position should it be required. This makes a Warhost of the Void Rangers a considerably force ready to combat any threat head on or, after splitting up, deal with individual threats before reassembling again.

The Captains or Warleaders of these Warhost seems to be fiercely Independent, and each are a warlord or Commander in their own right. They are expected to act like mission controllers for the Warhost reading and controlling the battle from a distance, while a lieutenant or Clan Lord act as battlefield controller for the Warhost; shouting out orders and directing the battle as it unfolds. It is only in dire situations that the Commander will take direct affaire. Leading a decapitating strike against the enemies' HQ or intervening when the line seems the break.

Among These Commanders, one is known as Kanpuka or Prime Commander and is considered the second in command to the Chapter Master or Taikun. He is also expected to take to the field as primary field commander should the entire chapter forces be committed, while Taikun is expected to act as mission controller for the Chapter in these situations.

Commanders also represent an intermitting link between the Chapter Master/Lord Commander of the Chapte, and the ordinary Void Rangers as the Lord Commander usually does not give attendance with the rank and file while they are aware of it. It is a tradition for the Void Rangers to not revealed their commanding officer to any outsider who has not yet earned their trust so as better to protect him from assassinations. instead, he will hide as one a member of the veterans or command squad, letting the members take temporary command in giving situations so as to get the experience that they may one day command their own Clan or Warhost.

Edited May 8, 2022 by Commander Nicky

Bjorn Firewalker · August 2, 2021

Good job on the Chapter history and organization. I think it makes more sense to put the Techmarines, Librarians, Apothecaries, and other supporters in "temples" (taking direct inspiration from, like sohei, warrior monks of Japan's Warring States period) or "schools" (taking direct inspiration from Japanese schools of swordsmanship, like the Itto-ryu), instead of "clans."

Is the Edo System named after the Tokugawa shogunate's capital, which was renamed "Tokyo" after the Meiji Restoration?

Commander Nicky · August 8, 2021

Good job on the Chapter history and organization. I think it makes more sense to put the Techmarines, Librarians, Apothecaries, and other supporters in "temples" (taking direct inspiration from, like sohei, warrior monks of Japan's Warring States period) or "schools" (taking direct inspiration from Japanese schools of swordsmanship, like the Itto-ryu), instead of "clans."

Is the Edo System named after the Tokugawa shogunate's capital, which was renamed "Tokyo" after the Meiji Restoration?

I agree with you with the specialists (techmarines, librarians, and Apothecaries) hailing from different "Temples" as I have already invisioned that they should have schools (which I think could be called Dojos (taking from the Japanese word of "place of the Way") which are like Japanese schools of Swordsmanship, but also a place were they learn and discuss military tactics (like a military academy).

The Edo system is taking after Tokyo before the Mejli Restoration :D

Bjorn Firewalker · August 8, 2021

I agree with you with the specialists (techmarines, librarians, and Apothecaries) hailing from different "Temples" as I have already invisioned that they should have schools (which I think could be called Dojos (taking from the Japanese word of "place of the Way") which are like Japanese schools of Swordsmanship, but also a place were they learn and discuss military tactics (like a military academy).

IIRC, a Codex Chapter's Scout and Reserve Companies serve as schools, training newly inducted Marines how to serve as Scouts, Assault Marines, Devastators, as they transfer from the 10th Company to the 9th, and then the 8th, and so on; the Battle Companies' Marines are supposed to be able to serve in any function.

Say the Headquarters (1st) and Battle Companies (2nd to 5th) are "Clans", while the Reserve (6th to 9th) and Scout (10th) Companies are "Dojo" whose members fall under a Clan leader when they deploy to battle?

Commander Nicky · August 8, 2021

I agree with you with the specialists (techmarines, librarians, and Apothecaries) hailing from different "Temples" as I have already invisioned that they should have schools (which I think could be called Dojos (taking from the Japanese word of "place of the Way") which are like Japanese schools of Swordsmanship, but also a place were they learn and discuss military tactics (like a military academy).
IIRC, a Codex Chapter's Scout and Reserve Companies serve as schools, training newly inducted Marines how to serve as Scouts, Assault Marines, Devastators, as they transfer from the 10th Company to the 9th, and then the 8th, and so on; the Battle Companies' Marines are supposed to be able to serve in any function.

Say the Headquarters (1st) and Battle Companies (2nd to 5th) are "Clans", while the Reserve (6th to 9th) and Scout (10th) Companies are "Dojo" whose members fall under a Clan leader when they deploy to battle?

But this is not a Codex Chapter. As writting in the Organization, there as (useally) only 6 Warhosts and a minor company size Warhost for Vanguard and Scouts which are useally spread out amount the Warhost. The Warhosts are akind to the Salamander or SW Chapters' Great Company... A larger than Codex Chapter, which (useally) consists of at least 3 Clans in a single Warhost; one Warclan, made up of 3 Battleline squads and 2 Close support squads, another Warclan made up of 3 battleline squads and 2 Fire support squads and finally a Specialized Clan (which include a veteran squad + several other squads who's composition are determined by the situation as well as the prefered methods of the Clan Leader or his Commander)...

Minigiant · August 11, 2021

This is an interesting chapter

Let me get this straight, it is a White Scars tactics (Fast), and Black Templar esq Organisation (Clans) veiled in a Japanese style culture (Clans and Dojos)?

Why an unknown founding? What does that bring?

Why the Dark Angels? If you want a Chapter that for a mysterious reason stops fighting, look at the Silver Skulls whose Librarians divinations will stop them

Commander Nicky · August 11, 2021

This is an interesting chapter

Let me get this straight, it is a White Scars tactics (Fast), and Black Templar esq Organisation (Clans) veiled in a Japanese style culture (Clans and Dojos)?

Why an unknown founding? What does that bring?

Why the Dark Angels? If you want a Chapter that for a mysterious reason stops fighting, look at the Silver Skulls whose Librarians divinations will stop them

It is close to White Scars tactics (fast sudden strike), in Japanese style culture (Dojos and Clans).

I am not sure what esq means :sad.:

Hidden Content

I have made a draft for how the organization of the Chapter:

Chapter Headquaters:

The Taikun/Lord Commander/Chapter Master - Chapter mission controller

Great Guard/Honor Guard

Kanpaku/Arch Commander/Lord-Regent – Right hand man of the Taikun - Chapter battlefield controller

The Grandmaster – Leader/representant of the Dojos and Schools to HQ.

Bannermen

Auxilliary forces for the Chapter – The nameless without a Clan

Sages of the Schools and Elders of the Dojos

Officer Corps/Chapter Vexillaries (Junior officers, non-commissioned officers, Subalterns and Equerries)

Recruits & scout elements for the Chapter

Several squads assign to exploration of experimental weaponry & tactical support, as well as garrison duties.

The Seneschal – The left hand of the Taikun - Spymaster/Naysmith to the Taikun - Master of Reconnaissance

Vanguard officers and command counselors

Several vanguard space marine squads permanently assign to Intelligence and covered operations duties.

Chapter assets and other departments/Temples

1st Warhost:

Warhost HQ: