Crimson Templars: Help needed.

[Sete]

While working on my BA sucessor, I got my Templars supplement, and adding to the mix the End and Death trilogy that I just read, it got me thinking on creating a DiY based on one of Sigismund Seconds that survived the Heresy and got a 3rd founding chapter. 

 

But how could I thematically make it different of the Black Templars? 

 

How would be the mentality of someone that witness Sigismund and the Astronomican in the Siege? 

 

What culture would be instiled in the chapter? 

 

Im in a bit of a rut, and some perspective would help. 

[Helbrechts_Sword_Servitor]

I think that the Black Templars are into the divinity of the Emperor not (only) because he is a being of immense power, but because Siggy followed the tip of the first imperial saint (Keeler), and managed to do much more than if he followed Dorn's orders.

 

Thus, this belief in saints, for someone who worked with Siggy, is something that could be played on. Moreover, you could make that this underling had some sort of specific job, like Techmarine.

 

Then you have the reason for the color (red/crimson), the thread connecting to Siggy (thus templar) and a possible theme (vehicles). This will also work with Godhammer lists.

[Sete]

Im creating the background for the caracther, Sebastian Korr which I used for another DiY. (By coincidence the Templar Supplement has Sebastian Korrman as an option, so its fitting)

 

I thought of him to be one of the Templar brethren thus the Templar connection.

 

He would have witnessed the Power of Faith and also the corruption of Death Guard and the Warp, maybe only the Power from the Emperor is considered pure. 

 

Ok Im getting some ideas. 

The official description of the chapter is:

[Crimson Templars Chapter] treads the very rim of known space, guarding against terrors from without.

 

Im thinking they have a string of fortresses near Halo Stars and protect the area.

[Brother Tyler]

According to the 5th edition Codex: Space Marines, the Crimson Templars (not to be confused with the Red Templars) are an official Chapter that guards the Eastern Fringe. Nothing else is known about them, including their color scheme, Chapter badge, lineage, founding, etc.

 

There's nothing wrong with fleshing out an official Chapter for which there is a dearth of information, however. Numerous hobbyists have done just that with this Chapter over the years, most appearing to use the Black Templars color scheme, but replacing black with crimson. There have been a few that were slightly more creative, however.

 

Stepping back to your idea, I see several elements.

 

The first element is the idea that the founding character (?) was a member of the Imperial Fists Legion Templar Brethren. This is interesting in that the Templars were the most zealous of that Legion and most, if not all, remained with Sigismund when he was designated the first High Marshal of the new Black Templars Chapter. It's always possible that some might have remained with the Imperial Fists Chapter or one of the other Successors, having the honor of being selected as the first Chapter Master of some 3rd Founding Chapter (much like Fafnir Rann served that role with the Executioners Chapter). If that's the case, there is room to develop a character who was unlike Sigismund in many ways. Your imagination is the only limit there.

 

A variation on this element is that the members of Sigismund's Seconds weren't all from the Imperial Fists Legion. There were representatives of all/most of the [loyalist] Legions within Sigismund's Seconds, providing you with an opportunity to explore other avenues if you're open to them (nobody would blame you for wanting to stick with the VIIth Legion, of course, since they were the best ). Perhaps a son of the Khan served in Sigismund's Seconds and was so impressed with the exploits of Sigismund that, when later given the honor of leading a 3rd Founding Chapter, he incorporated some things about Sigismund that inspired him while also incorporating things from his parent Legion (and possibly whatever 2nd Founding Chapter he served within) into his new Chapter. Or you could pick any other Legion, for that matter.

 

The second element is the character and culture of the Chapter. While the first Chapter Master will likely have some influence on the nascent Chapter, there are many other influences, including other important individuals, the culture of any world(s) they may have been granted for recruiting/stewardship, and, most importantly, the experiences of that Chapter over time. Organizations will necessarily evolve based on their experiences. Ultimately, a Chapter that has "templars" in its name doesn't have to be anything like the Black Templars Chapter (aside from those elements that are common to all/most Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes, of course). It would be relatively easy to make a Chapter, even one that uses the Black Templars rules, distinct from the Black Templars. First and foremost, avoid the crusading knights imagery. You could focus on "templar" in its meaning of being a guardian of or from a sacred temple or structure, allowing the holy site to be something important within the culture of your Chapter's world. Whether you want to revert to a "basic" Adeptus Astartes theme or adopt something a little more distinct, there are many themes that might be incorporated. Simply imagine the effects of the rules and then consider other ways in which those effects might be realized. Imagine the types of temples/holy sites that are found in other (i.e., non-European/Hebraic) culture - the Taj Mahal in India, Chichen Itza in Mexico, Karnak in Egypt, etc. Or you could go with European sources that are pre-Christian, such as Stonehenge in England, the Svetovid Temple at Arkona, or others. You don't even have to use historical influences as your model, instead creating a culture from whole cloth (yes, any such endeavor will naturally incorporate real influences, but the key is to use them sparingly and to draw upon a variety of such sources so that none becomes dominant).

 

The third element is the religious influence upon the Chapter. While any member of Sigismund's Seconds would likely bear witness to the miraculous nature of Keeler and Sigismund's (and Rogal Dorn's) responses to the first saint of the Imperial Cult, the Imperial Cult itself isn't a monolithic organization. Expressions of the Imperial Cult are many and varied, with the adherents of the different sub-cults being no less zealous or dedicated to their faith. Sigismund's expression of his faith combined his pre-existing beliefs (heavily influenced by the teachings of the Imperial Fists Legion) with what he witnessed in Keeler. Any of Sigismund's Seconds might similar have their own distinct expression of their faith, similarly influenced by their pre-existing beliefs, their devotion to Keeler, and whatever happened to them after the events of the Horus Heresy. Much like the second element, a member of the Adeptus Astartes who is devoted to the Imperial Cult doesn't have to be anything like any other Adeptus Astartes who is so devoted. Imagine an Adeptus Astartes Chapter cult that combines elements of the Promethean Cult (of the Salamanders Chapter) with the Imperial Cult, revering the Emperor as a Deity while focusing on craftsmanship. Or consider a Chapter cult that personifies the Emperor Deified as a storm sweeping across the galaxy to presage the dominance of Humanity. There are lots of ways to skin this cat.

 

Ultimately, if you want to create a DIY Chapter (even if it's a fleshed-out version of a minor official Chapter) that is distinct from a well-known Chapter, the first step is to stop thinking about that official Chapter - disassociate your DIY Chapter from that other Chapter. The danger if you do otherwise is that you'll simply create a red version of the Black Templars, or Space Wolves in all but name, or the Angels [synonym for blood]. A good example of such disassociation in the creation of a new Chapter is the Blood Ravens - they are considerably distinct from the Blood Angels and the Raven Guard (granted they're not a DIY, but I think you get the point).