New Article - Index Astartes: Void Slayers

[Bjorn Firewalker]

The quote under Home World ("Hemoworld" spelling?).....

As the Chapter planet is a DEAD world instead of a DEATH world, we can claim "hemoworld" is the Chapter's term for planets from which it takes in "new blood," i.e., recruiting worlds.

‘Your mind shall be diamond. Hard. Clear. Flawless.’ – Teachings of Bash Tchelik.

I like it.

The name, Void Slayers would fit well with a fleet-based chapter.

12 strike cruisers are NOT enough for a fleet-based Chapter. Without a Chapter planet, manufactories for the Chapter's wargear- including maintenance facilities for the Chapter fleet- must be built within the Chapter's ships, which will GREATLY diminish their ability to transport Marines.

[Codex Grey]

 

The quote under Home World ("Hemoworld" spelling?).....

As the Chapter planet is a DEAD world instead of a DEATH world, we can claim "hemoworld" is the Chapter's term for planets from which it takes in "new blood," i.e., recruiting worlds.

 

That's a creative way of justifying a spelling mistake, but it is unfortunately just a spelling mistake

 

12 strike cruisers are NOT enough for a fleet-based Chapter. Without a Chapter planet, manufactories for the Chapter's wargear- including maintenance facilities for the Chapter fleet- must be built within the Chapter's ships, which will GREATLY diminish their ability to transport Marines.

 

(...)

 

You don't specify a base for your chapter under Home World. Are you undecided on whether your chapter has an actual homeworld in the subsector? The name, Void Slayers would fit well with a fleet-based chapter.

Yes they have a homeworld. Plan was to make an update post when I have something that makes more sense. I'm making updates as go, but I see how it might confuse if I don't explain. From now I'll only update the article by also posting an update post.

 

I settled on Void Slayers as I finally found a name that works and satisfies my taste for what sound good.

While there isn't a 1 to 1 thematic link between the name and their theme, there is a similar double meaning, like the dread slayers idea I had before.

Since Void refers to their main area of operations, but also hinting at them being empty, devoid of feeling and humanity.

 

...... looks out of place.

The idea is for the quotes to hint at something to comes later in the section, which I'm working on. Still, I might move the quotes around or leave some sections without a quote as well. Time will tell.

 

Thanks for chiming in!

Edited January 23, 2022 by Codex Grey

[Brother Lunkhead]

 

...... looks out of place.

The idea is for the quotes to hint at something to comes later in the section, which I'm working on. Still, I might move the quotes around or leave some sections without a quote as well. Time will tell.

 

Thanks for chiming in!

 

I meant literally it looks out of place. This quote would fit more properly at the beginning of your article, over or under the chapter symbol, as it speaks to the core of what it means to be a Void Slayer.

 

BTY, I do like the quote

[Codex Grey]

Updated the homeworld section, detailing their actual homeworld and discussing the Clearing ritual.

 

 

-EDIT- Also updated article with a Beliefs section!

 

Hope you like it

Edited January 24, 2022 by Codex Grey

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Updated the homeworld section, detailing their actual homeworld and discussing the Clearing ritual.

 

 

-EDIT- Also updated article with a Beliefs section!

It would help if you included what was updated in your post- maybe in a spoiler box

like so-

so we can compare the previous draft to the current one.

Hope you like it

I do.

It is here the Neophytes of the Chapter come to face their final test before they become full battle-brothers and receive the black carapace – the ritual known as ‘The Clearing’.

Considering how rare and precious gene-seed is, I think it'll be more efficient if the Clearing is performed on recruits yet to receive ANY gene-seed, instead of on Neophytes who received all gene-seed implants with the exception of the black carapace.

They wear few ornamentations, except for those that are justified with battlefield utility, like rank markings and fear inducing imagery.

Are the Marines allowed to choose for themselves what "fear inducing imagery" they wear, or are there restrictions, e.g., the Chapter has a law stating, "No use of Daemonic imagery is allowed, on pain of death- they are corrupting, and may make their wearers susceptible to an actual Daemon's influence"?

 

And are all Marines allowed to use "fear inducing imagery," or only Chapter elites (Veterans, Honor Guards) and officers promoted from their ranks, so the effects of such imagery won't be diminished via overuse?

Edited January 24, 2022 by Bjorn Firewalker

[Gamiel]

Have not read others comments so I may be repeating what other have said here:

 

Can see the chapter use additional psycho-indoctrination during the aspirant creation process and/or throughout their existence.

 

I think it was the Exorsists that used repeated mind scouring and deep-core psycho-indoctrination to install countless subconscious battle doctrines in their battle-brothers which are only activated by the act of making war, maybe the Void Slayers do something similar?

 

 

Care little for history and less for its reverence.

Can see this leading to conflict with allies who think there is a problem with firebombing their ancient capital buildings, saintly remains, other historical important stuff just because it's the easiest way to take out some of the enemy.

 

All the problems battle-brother Amadeus of the Mentors were shown having regarding interacting with people and fellow Space Marines in Spear of the Emperor likley apply to the Slayers, and more so possibly.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

 

Care little for history and less for its reverence.

Can see this leading to conflict with allies who think there is a problem with firebombing their ancient capital buildings, saintly remains, other historical important stuff just because it's the easiest way to take out some of the enemy.

 

All the problems battle-brother Amadeus of the Mentors were shown having regarding interacting with people and fellow Space Marines in Spear of the Emperor likley apply to the Slayers, and more so possibly.

Good point. After all, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

[Gamiel]

How do they show company and squad belonging?

 

 

I like your lore, I just don't like the colour scheme as even though the chapter badge is good, the colour says Ultramarines.

Dark Hunters, Crimson Fists, Death Strike, and old school Raptors disagree with you.

 

 

Most Marines see internment not as holding onto the past, but an opportunity to continue serving the Emperor, despite suffering wounds that would make one an invalid- even a chance to earn a more honorable death.

It's worth mentioning that the Chapter's view on dreadnoughts is partially post-rationalization, as they view the Iron Hands' heightened veneration of dreadnoughts as an extension of their obsession with the mechanical, which they don't like.

Can see it partly come from them lacking dreadnoughts so instead of going back the the IH's to ask for some dreadnought parts/STC-plans do they justify not doing it by applying their "history is not important" philosophy to the question of "why don't we have dreadnoughts?"

 

 

The name, Void Slayers would fit well with a fleet-based chapter.

12 strike cruisers are NOT enough for a fleet-based Chapter. Without a Chapter planet, manufactories for the Chapter's wargear- including maintenance facilities for the Chapter fleet- must be built within the Chapter's ships, which will GREATLY diminish their ability to transport Marines.

On the other hand, enougth is not something that's common in the Imperium, more ofthen it's a question about "what do we have" and/or "how much can we get to there in time". There is likley many Chapter's (even fleet based one) that have a very small fleet and have to do with what they have.

 

Since even a small Imperial ship is huge can wargear manufacturies easily fit them, even if they possibly can't have everything in one ship. There is also that many chapters don't seem to make all of their own wargear but instead go to Forge/Hive/Manufactory Worlds at returning points to stuck up on new stuff.

Edited January 27, 2022 by Gamiel

[Brother Lunkhead]

 

The name, Void Slayers would fit well with a fleet-based chapter.

12 strike cruisers are NOT enough for a fleet-based Chapter. Without a Chapter planet, manufactories for the Chapter's wargear- including maintenance facilities for the Chapter fleet- must be built within the Chapter's ships, which will GREATLY diminish their ability to transport Marines.

I think you're misunderstanding my observation on the name and taking it out of context. I was merely saying that Void Slayers would be a very apt name if they were a fleet-based chapter.

 

However, since we're talking fleets right now, it's important to consider that even in official GW lore, the writers aren't exactly big on logistics when talking about or listing chapter fleet orders of battle. In this case listing 12 strike cruisers probably doesn't speak to the details of the fleet. More likely than not, the fleet would also consist of smaller warships and support vessels. It's also worth noting that Strike Cruisers are capital ships in their own right and are massive in size. It's more common than not for a chapter to be widely dispersed on a wide variety of missions. A single company might be deployed with their strike cuiser centered fleet for years on end, so they must be fairly self-reliant. So, strike cruisers will have their own forge facilities. A fleet-based chapter consisting of mainly strike cruisers and no battle barges is viable so long as they have appropriate support vessels/facilities to support their needs. 

[Gamiel]

Brother Lunkhead, you are mistakenly referring Bjorn Firewalker's quote to me.

[Codex Grey]

 

It would help if you included what was updated in your post- maybe in a spoiler box

Up until now I've only added new things (and changed a word or two plus spellchecks) so I didn't feel it was too necessary, but I'll add a change log to the original post when I start making significant changes to the actual content.

 

 

Considering how rare and precious gene-seed is, I think it'll be more efficient if the Clearing is performed on recruits yet to receive ANY gene-seed, instead of on Neophytes who received all gene-seed implants with the exception of the black carapace.

Good Point. It felt appropriate as a final test, but I cant argue with this. Question: do we know when the Exorcists do their thing to their recruits?

 

 

 

Are the Marines allowed to choose for themselves what "fear inducing imagery" they wear, or are there restrictions, e.g., the Chapter has a law stating, "No use of Daemonic imagery is allowed, on pain of death- they are corrupting, and may make their wearers susceptible to an actual Daemon's influence"? And are all Marines allowed to use "fear inducing imagery," or only Chapter elites (Veterans, Honor Guards) and officers promoted from their ranks, so the effects of such imagery won't be diminished via overuse?

When I wrote that it was meant to reference standard codex approved stuff, like Rievers (even though they're a more recent invention. I'm sure many Chapters have used something equivalent pre-indomitus but it was less Codex sanctioned?) However, me mentioning this may just raise more questions then answers, so I should perhaps remove it to keep things simple.

 

On the other hand, I could explore this further, but I feel this is only worth it if the fear imagery is distinct in some way to give the Chapter a unique flavor, and of course non heretical. But this might also run the risk of detracting from the more minimalist, machine-like, lifeless feel to the Chapter. 

 

It would be cool to hear ideas, but right now I leaning towards just removing the reference. 

 

 

How do they show company and squad belonging?

I'm thinking just a number on a kneepad. Their Heraldry is kind of a slightly changed Codex - Iron Hands hybrid.

 

 

 

[Brother Lunkhead]

Brother Lunkhead, you are mistakenly referring Bjorn Firewalker's quote to me.

 You're absolutely right..... many apologies.

 

I looked at that post over and over, and I don't know how I missed that..... talk about a dyslexic moment

[Bjorn Firewalker]

 

Considering how rare and precious gene-seed is, I think it'll be more efficient if the Clearing is performed on recruits yet to receive ANY gene-seed, instead of on Neophytes who received all gene-seed implants with the exception of the black carapace.

Good Point. It felt appropriate as a final test, but I cant argue with this. Question: do we know when the Exorcists do their thing to their recruits?

I don't know, but the reference to the Exorcists brings up another point: The Exorcists have 12 Companies, with two additional Scout Companies to account for heavier casualties the Scouts suffer due to their unconventional recruitment practices, i.e., having Daemons possess the Scouts to test the latter's will.

 

Will the Void Slayers have extra Companies? That may allow them to perform the Clearing on Neophytes, as they have enough spares (and spare gene-seed implants) to make up for the resulting losses.

Edited January 27, 2022 by Bjorn Firewalker

[Codex Grey]

 

 

Considering how rare and precious gene-seed is, I think it'll be more efficient if the Clearing is performed on recruits yet to receive ANY gene-seed, instead of on Neophytes who received all gene-seed implants with the exception of the black carapace.

Good Point. It felt appropriate as a final test, but I cant argue with this. Question: do we know when the Exorcists do their thing to their recruits?

I don't know, but the reference to the Exorcists brings up another point: The Exorcists have 12 Companies, with two additional Scout Companies to account for heavier casualties the Scouts suffer due to their unconventional recruitment practices, i.e., having Daemons possess the Scouts to test the latter's will.

 

Will the Void Slayers have extra Companies? That may allow them to perform the Clearing on Neophytes, as they have enough spares (and spare gene-seed implants) to make up for the resulting losses.

 

IMO, I don't see a good or obvious reason for why the Exorcists need 12 companies, when the codex allows for widely varying numbers of scouts over time (aside for the now 10 additional permanent Vanguard squads) depending on the recruitment practices of individual chapters, casualties, crusades, etc. The more covert thing to do is just have a huge 10th company and just try to hide the numbers. Maybe the Exorcists have a logistic or ritualistic reasoning for the two extra companies, like a staggered progression through the ranks or something, and they also don't need to hide it because they're under the wing of Ordo M. I don't know.

 

For the Slayers, I'll just state that they grab as many recruits as they can, but through the clearing, many die, so on average, their numbers are around the same as most Chapters. With variations over time.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Having extra Companies means the Exorcists have extra HQ units- Captains, Sergeants, Chaplains, Apothecaries, Techmarines, etc.- to provide the extra Marines what they need- leadership, training, medical services, armorers and other technical support, etc. The Slayers' Neophytes/Scouts will also need such additional support if the Chapter has more than usual.

[Codex Grey]

Added Organisation section to the article. Ended up larger than I thought, so I left out a few things like recruitment. I'll wait and see when everything else is up if I need to add some more details or if it feels complete without it.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

The following raised some questions:

Similar to the Iron Council of their progenitors, the Chapter’s ruling body is called the Consensus, consisting mainly of ten mighty warriors, usually FORMER Captains.

Emphasis mine. Why must a Captain relinquish his rank when he joins the Consensus? To prevent him from exercising undue influence upon his former charges, or allowing the Company he led from having too much influence in the Chapter (which may sow resentment in the other Companies, potentially inciting a Chapter war)?

 

And as there are five oversized companies instead of the Codex-mandated ten, does the Chapter only have five Captains at a time? Or does each of the 200-Marine Companies have two Captains- maybe one "Captain-Commander" who holds command, and one "Captain-Executor" to serve as the Captain-Commander's executive officer (second-in-command)? Maybe the Chapter gives senior Chaplains the rank "Chaplain-Executor" or "Command Chaplain" to signify their roles in a Company's chain-of-command, serving as a full Captain's executive officer and second-in-command?

[Codex Grey]

The following raised some questions:

Similar to the Iron Council of their progenitors, the Chapter’s ruling body is called the Consensus, consisting mainly of ten mighty warriors, usually FORMER Captains.

Emphasis mine. Why must a Captain relinquish his rank when he joins the Consensus? To prevent him from exercising undue influence upon his former charges, or allowing the Company he led from having too much influence in the Chapter (which may sow resentment in the other Companies, potentially inciting a Chapter war)?

 

Yes, indeed. It's all to emphasize the almost paranoid behavior of the Chapter to ensure that no-one falls victim to mental weakness.

And as there are five oversized companies instead of the Codex-mandated ten, (...)

I spent several minutes trying to see how you got to this assumption I even say a Slayer will progress through the Reserves. Still, I've added the word Company after Reserves so that it's a bit more clear, but I wonder if more people interpreted it this way Edited February 1, 2022 by Codex Grey

[Bjorn Firewalker]

So the Slayers have five Reserve Companies (including the Scout or Neophyte Company?), which provides newly inducted Marines with training, and which these Marines successively transfer through to receive more training; and five Battle Companies, to which they're permanently assigned once their training is completed.

 

Do the Battle Companies designate themselves via a name instead of a number, like those of the Space Wolves, e.g., "Fearless", "Xenocidal", "Crucible Companies", instead of "First", "Second", or "Third Companies"?

[Codex Grey]

So the Slayers have five Reserve Companies (including the Scout or Neophyte Company?), which provides newly inducted Marines with training, and which these Marines successively transfer through to receive more training; and five Battle Companies, to which they're permanently assigned once their training is completed.

Yes. In, other words, just like most Codex Adhering Chapters, except without a Veteran Company at the end of their career. This only applies to regular battle-brothers, as specialist have their own progression in the Chapter, like most Chapters (chaplains, techmarines, apotecaries, etc.)

 

Do the Battle Companies designate themselves via a name instead of a number, like those of the Space Wolves, e.g., "Fearless", "Xenocidal", "Crucible Companies", instead of "First", "Second", or "Third Companies"?

They don't have cool names, cold lifeless numbers is all they need.

 

 

Article has been updated with a first draft of Combat Doctrine. Only Geneseed remains of the main sections, before any sidebars and polishing.

C&C is welcomed as usual.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Unyielding and uncaring in battle, the Void Slayers’ methods have come under scrutiny several times over their long history, often due to their general disregard for history and collateral damage. Their only real punishment came in the early years of M.34, when the Slayers embarked on a penitent crusade following the successful eradication of Orks from a Cardinal World, which also resulted in the destruction of sacred structures and many human lives.

I appreciate this detail. It helps distinguish your Chapter, giving your Marines a distinct flavor.

 

By the way, how's the Chapter's relationship with the Ecclesiarchy? Do the Slayers manufacture their own Rosarii (plural) for their Chaplains, instead of receiving them from the Ecclesiarchy, which still harbors a grudge for the collateral damage its Cardinal world suffered?

[Codex Grey]

By the way, how's the Chapter's relationship with the Ecclesiarchy? Do the Slayers manufacture their own Rosarii (plural) for their Chaplains, instead of receiving them from the Ecclesiarchy, which still harbors a grudge for the collateral damage its Cardinal world suffered?

Definitely a strained relationship, but not too much more than other Chapters to warrant bringing it up in the article, I think.

 

Added a geneseed section, as well as a version log for recording any further additions or alterations to the article.

Edited February 8, 2022 by Codex Grey

[Codex Grey]

All sections have been filled. Aside from potentially adding some more details in the final paragraph of the Origins section, detailing stuff they've done since their founding, I'm pretty satisfied with the amount of content and the ideas explored.

At this point I'll polish what's there, look at how things flow, cut things, etc. If anything sticks out, please let me know.

---

In addition, I've made some changes to the Color Scheme after thinking through some issues and potential fixes.

I've removed the silver shoulder trim from the standard scheme. This makes them even more lifeless and dark, while also giving me more options for denoting ranks which I was having trouble with.

Right now I'm thinking Sergeants get Silver Hands; Lieutenants get Silver Trims and Captains get full Silver Helmets.

Also, I went with Iron Hands setup for squad markings on the knee pads, and company symbol on the right shoulder pad.

I went with the standard Codex company Symbols, but stuck them in a diamond to make them feel more in-line with the Void Slayers' aesthetics.

Edited February 17, 2022 by Codex Grey

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Right now I'm thinking Sergeants get Silver Hands; Lieutenants get Silver Trims and Captains get full Silver Helmets.

Do LTs get silver trim in addition to silver hands? Do CAPTs get silver helmets in addition to the silver trim they had as LTs?

I went with the standard Codex company Symbols, but stuck them in a diamond to make them feel more in-line with the Void Slayers' aesthetics.

Good idea!

As is, the 4th and 7th Company insignia can be confused for one another if viewed from the wrong angle, e.g., if the viewer is in a zero-gravity environment. Maybe replace the 7th Company symbol with a square inside a diamond, like the following?

[Codex Grey]

Do LTs get silver trim in addition to silver hands? Do CAPTs get silver helmets in addition to the silver trim they had as LTs?

Yes, that's the idea. The Higher the rank, the more metal. Actually, I think once they reach the Consensus, they cover their entire armor in Silver?

As is, the 4th and 7th Company insignia can be confused for one another if viewed from the wrong angle, e.g., if the viewer is in a zero-gravity environment. Maybe replace the 7th Company symbol with a square inside a diamond, like the following?

I may be wrong, but think these situations, where distinguishing between brothers from different Companies is vital and urgent, are extremely rare.

However, even if I'm fine with them the way they are, you forced me to come up with alternatives, which may actually achieve something else I'm fond of: More symmetry.

Maybe they display the Chapter symbol on both shoulder pads, but use the Diamond on one or both symbols to denote Company.

With the skull as immediate reference for the diamond symbol, distinguishing between different companies with similar symbols would be easier.

Edited February 17, 2022 by Codex Grey