Angels of Absolution Fluff

[DizzyMarine]

Hi all,

         Long-time lurker, first post. I'm currently starting an AoA force, and have been looking around for background information and such. While they have campaigns and a few characters on record, I haven't found much on their home-world (Allhallow), fortress monastery (Soul's Well), or general fluff. I thought I'd try my hand at adding some stuff, and would appreciate any feedback or notes from fellow DA enthusiasts!

 

Allhallow:

 

Allhallow is a mysterious and ancient world, shrouded in perpetual twilight due to its unique orbit around a dim, dying star. The planet's surface is a tapestry of mist-covered forests, craggy mountains, and vast, echoing catacombs that stretch deep beneath the surface. These catacombs are said to be the remnants of a forgotten civilization.

 

• Population: The inhabitants of Allhallow live in scattered, fortified settlements, with a population numbering in the low millions. The people of Allhallow primarily live in small, fortified motte-and-bailey style settlements. These communities are tightly knit, with a population that values strength, survival skills, and loyalty. The society is structured in a feudal system, with local lords governing their respective territories and paying homage to the Angels of Absolution as their ultimate protectors and rulers.

 

• Technology: The technological level of Allhallow is primarily Iron Age, with the populace relying on primitive smithing techniques to craft weapons, tools, and armor. The people are skilled in metallurgy, crafting robust iron weapons and armor to defend against the planet's large predators and rival settlements. The use of advanced technology is largely limited to the Angels of Absolution, who maintain a distinct separation between their own capabilities and the simpler lifestyle of the planet's inhabitants, and discreetly encourage rivalry and skirmish warfare between settlements.

 

• Ecology: Allhallow is a verdant forest world, teeming with dense woodlands and sprawling green landscapes. The planet is home to a variety of large predators, which play a significant role in the culture and rites of passage for its inhabitants. The forests provide ample resources for hunting and gathering, supporting the population's way of life.

 

• Economy: The economy of Allhallow is primarily based on bartering and trade between settlements. Goods such as iron weapons, pelts, and gathered resources are exchanged regularly. The people also engage in limited agriculture, cultivating hardy crops that can withstand the planet's challenging environment. The society places great emphasis on self-sufficiency and resourcefulness, and the planet's natural resources are carefully and discreetly managed to support both the local population and the needs of the chapter.

 

Fortress-Monastery: Soul's Well

 

Nestled within the craggy peaks of the Skyclaw Mountains, Soul's Well is carved into the heart of a massive mountain, making it a near-impregnable bastion. The mountain itself serves as a natural fortress, with narrow, winding paths leading to the monastery's gates, easily defensible by a handful of determined warriors. Hidden gun emplacements and shield generators provide additional layers of protection.  The monastery is named for the ancient wellspring at its heart, believed to be a conduit for communion with the Emperor's spirit.

 

Constructed using salvaged relics and architectural blueprints from Caliban, Soul's Well is a place of reverence and training, where initiates are transformed into Space Marines under the watchful eyes of their superiors. Within its halls, the chapter's history and doctrines are preserved, and the warriors of the Angels of Absolution hone their skills in preparation for battle. The fortress also houses the chapter's armory, filled with relics and weapons that reflect their storied past.The mountain's natural defenses and the monastery's formidable fortifications serve as a testament to the chapter's enduring legacy.

 

Notable Wildlife of Allhallow

 

Gale Drakes:

• Physical Description: These winged reptiles boast sinuous bodies covered in scales that shimmer with iridescent hues. Their long, whip-like tails and sharp talons on their wings give them a striking, otherworldly appearance. Adults are 2-3 meters in length, snout to tail
• Characteristics: Gale Drakes are agile fliers, capable of swooping down from the forest canopy with startling precision to snatch prey from the ground. Their piercing screeches echo through the forests, often serving as an ominous signal of an impending attack.

 

Ironback Boars:

• Physical Description: Massive boar-like creatures with thick, iron-gray hides and tusks that can grow up to several feet long, these beasts stand as tall as a man at their shoulder. Their hides are tough enough to deflect primitive weapons, making them formidable opponents.
• Characteristics: Ironback Boars are aggressive and territorial, often charging intruders with little provocation. They travel in small herds and are known to uproot entire sections of forest in search of food.

 

Shadowmanes:

• Physical Description: Shadowmanes are formidable and fearsome creatures, resembling Terran lions but significantly larger and more muscular. Their sleek, midnight-black pelts seem to absorb light, giving them an almost ethereal presence as they move silently through the dense, dim forests of Allhallow. Their eyes glow with an unsettling intelligence, hinting at their cunning nature.
• Characteristics: Originally non-native to Allhallow, the Shadowmanes were introduced by the Angels of Absolution as both a trial for aspirants and a method of controlling local wildlife populations. Known for their heightened intelligence and feral instincts, Shadowmanes are expert hunters, capable of coordinating complex pack strategies to outmaneuver their prey. Their claws are razor-sharp and retractable, allowing for silent stalking, while their elongated fangs can pierce even the toughest armor. These creatures serve as a living challenge, ensuring that only the most resourceful and resilient individuals are deemed worthy of joining the ranks of the Chapter.

 

Please let me know what you think, and apologies in advance if I have posted this in the wrong place!

 

Diz

[Azoriel]

Ever since War of Secrets, I've had this leeriness of anything Angels of Absolution related, largely borne out of fear GW will take that as a sign they should acknowledge and continue with the terribad plotline from that novel.  That being said, I love your treatment of Allhallow and think you did an excellent job capturing the medieval feel of an astartes feudal homeworld.  (AoA is an awesome chapter, and I wish there was more out there about them - especially if it has nothing to do with War of Secrets.)

[crimsondave]

War of Secrets is THE worst DAs book that I have read and I think I’ve read them all.

 

Just keep up what you have.  It’s good and hits the mark I think.

[WrathOfTheLion]

This is definitely the right place, I see no issues there.

 

As others have said, they did them dirty in the War of Secrets novel. The Angels of Absolution are an awesome chapter though, I love their aesthetic, and have painted a decent few of them up myself.