New Codex, new Shadowhawks...

[Bootae]

**edit, forgot to warn in title, this is a long one...***

 

Well I came across an interesting dilemma... The new marine dex allows me to make the Shadowhawks exactly as I had originally envisaged, all the units I wanted, the weapons I wanted and the opportunity to expand the paint scheme a bit. No more messing about explaining why I use a chaos Night Lords list and that this unit is this and that is that, nice simple, no arguments, legal every time :)

 

However, to make things fit with the new codex (and most importantly, And They Shall Know No Fear) it has required I change the army layout slighlty, lose the odd unit, change back unit names and more importantly IMHO.. change the fluff. So to change it, I decided to make them much more Codex Astartes following, tweak the history to change things that irked me and then progress the story as the chapter returns to the fold... Of course this meant dropping the mercenary chapter bit, which I sorta feel bad about, but the choice between having them how I wanted them to play combined with painting a more interesting range of minis, vs purely sticking to my old fluff, well... it's about having fun ;) Plus in 17 years of 40k I've never owned a Whirlwind and that was the final decider :P Bootae, stop waffling!

 

So please read on, hopefully enjoy and please comment good or bad! But spare me the "marines shouldn't wear camo!" :P I like it and I've painted far too many to stop ;)

 

THE SHADOWHAWKS

 

Origins

 

The Shadowhawks were formed from Ultra Marine gene-seed during the 22nd founding, their Fortress Monastery was built in the Segmentum Obscurus, upon Rathyrrn the 3rd moon of the gas giant Planisi. Rathyrrn was totally covered in a dense forest, it's human population living in small settlements scattered across the world. Still in a tribal state the human population provided a good source of warriors to maintain the Shadowhawks ranks. Living on a forest world the tibesmen were natural hunters, silently prowling their domain, ambushing the beasts that lurked in the dark woods, protecting their homes through stealth, suprise and ambush. Each tribe's young men would take a Trial of Manhood before being accepted into the ranks of the hunters. This would normally involve being taken blind-folded deep into the heart of the forests, drugged and on waking having to find their own way home with nothing but a flint knife to aid them.

 

The Shadowhawks would secretly watch these trials for any potential neophytes and

take them to be tested for induction into the chapter. Over the years the tribesmens

affinity with the forest started to have an effect on the Shadowhawks combat

doctrine, the chapter strayed from it's Codex reliant origins and started to rely more and more on stealth and guerrilla tactics, even repainting their armour depending on the terrain they would be fighting in. This change in tactics and appearance resulted in a considerable amount of distrust and disdain from other Adeptus Astartes chapters, the use of camouflage particularly scorned . Naturally, the Inquisition took an interest. Inquisitor Lergar of the Ordo Malleus was despatched on a routine investigation, merely to confirm as believed this change was due to natural events rather than corrupting outside influences. Unfortunately for the Shadowhawks Inquisitor Lergar was not free of corruption himself. Lergar had been dabbling with the art of binding demonhosts, a dark art with great risks, but risks Lergar claimed were justifiable for the good of the Imperium. He had bound the Greater demon of Tzeentch 'Dranneyninh' to a mortal host succesfully, and for many years consulted with the creature. But regular contact with such evil is not with out consequences and gradually the words of Dranneyninh twisted Lergar's mind towards the path of chaos. He became the worst type of traitor, secret, powerful and at the very heart of the Imperium. Seeing an opportunity to cause havoc in the Segmentum and weaken Imperial control, Lergar declared the Shadowhawks tainted by the Dark Gods and abominations. Acting quickly, he presented false 'evidence' to the nearby Star Legion, ordering them to attack the Shadowhawks and destroy their homeworld with Cyclonic Torpedoes. In a surprise assault, the entire Star Legion's fleet destroyed Rathyrrn's orbital defence and surveyor systems, and then targeting the Fortress Monastery itself, unleashed a massed bombardment. The Shadowhawk's powerfield had no chance of coping with such an incredible onslaught and it collapsed leaving the Fortress below unprotected. In minutes there was nothing but bare rock. After Cyclonic Torpedoes were launched with no defence systems to stop them, Rathyrrn was utterly stripped of life.

 

However Lergar's attack hadn't destroyed the Shadowhawks entirely. As is the way with nearly all space marine chapters, very rarely will the entire chapter be on their

homeworld. Numerous Shadowhawk battle forces were spread across the segmentum, but of most significance the 3rd, 4th and 7th Companies were on route to Rathyrrn having defeated the cultist uprising on Grenitiis IV. Their fleet left the warp to discover their home world a lifeless rock, where there had once been the great forest now there was nothing but dust.

 

Librarian Elrinat contacted the Astropaths at Port Maw discovering how Lergar had sealed their fate and that now the remaining companies would be hunted down as traitors! Lergar had sent his supposed evidence to the High Lords of Terra declaring the Shadowhawks to be Arch-Hereticus, the mark of chaos upon them. The remaining Shadowhawks were outraged that this great crime could have been committed, let alone in the Emperor's name. While the fleet orbited the dead moon, the remaining company commanders and officers held council. After three days of discussion it was decided the only path open to the chapter was to discard the allegiance to the Imperium and fight in the Emperor

[Rymeer]

Uh, Shadow Hawks?

 

Humm... the name is familiar.. like my current 3rd ed chapter. (bleached bone, chaos black, and boltgun metal). I bought this army from it's creator a year and a half ago, and have been adding to it since then, even updating Traits as per the 4th ed codex.

 

My Shadow Hawks are also Ultramarines gene seed, and have never had a problem with the -]I[- to date.

 

I like your paint scheme, and your fluff is interesting, but due to my having a chapter by the above name, I claim previous ownership through the creator of the unit and my current ownership of same. I'd appreciate it if you could perhaps see it in both our interests to change your chapter's name... Perhaps something like 'Shadow Eagles', Night Hawks, or some such alteration.

 

Semper Fidelis, Imperiatus! ( Always Faithful to the Emperor! )

 

P.S. I also have created a totally new chapter for 4th ed... the Crusading Lions. So don't let my signature throw you.

 

Rymeer

[Bootae]

hehe I won't be changing the name just yet, I've been using the Shadowhawks for a few years now and there's a few other folks online who know them :) Plus mine have been the only Shadowhawks ever listed under The Liber Astartes. Sorry mate the names MINE! MUHAHAHA, etc

[Commissar Molotov]

I like your paint scheme, and your fluff is interesting, but due to my having a chapter by the above name, I claim previous ownership through the creator of the unit and my current ownership of same.  I'd appreciate it if you could perhaps see it in both our interests to change your chapter's name... Perhaps something like 'Shadow Eagles', Night Hawks, or some such alteration.

Well, Bootae's shadowhawks have an established legacy, having been featured in a lot of (high-quality) fluff and fiction on the Eternity Gate, Bootae's forum. I do, however, find the "change your name now!" attitude a bit off-putting. It took me a while to find a name that I liked for my DIY, but now if someone started a thread here in the Liber Astartes saying they wanted to do a DIY chapter called the Castigators, I can't particularly stop them. Bootae is someone in another part of the world that you'll never meet; it's not the end of the world.

 

If you really want to fluff it, it could well be the case that some glitch in the Imperium's paperwork lead to the creation of two Shadowhawk chapters. But it's not the end of the world if there's two sets of Shadowhawks (and I doubt after the effort Bootae's invested that he's going to change the name).

 

:P

 

Edit: beaten by the man himself.... :)

[Brother Renn]

@ Rymeer: Wow, that's pretty rude. Here Bootae posts one helluva IA concerning his chapter, and the most important thing you have to comment on is "My old 3rd edition army, which I don't play anymore, was called the Shadowhawks, so you have to change yours?" Let's face some facts here. Fact: There is a finite amount of words in the English language( I base this on English, but it could be russian, italian, etc.) Fact: When combined, these words are used to create fictional names for fictional armies. Fact: There are only so many combinations of names that appeal to certain people. I would be willing to wager that yourself and Bootae are not the only ones to have the name Shadowhawks for your army; there are probably dozens of players who have thought up that name and are using it right now, without a second thought as to somebody on the other side of the world maybe having the same chapter name. Another thing is that you didn't come up with the name. The guy you bought your army from named them and you chose to keep it. Bootae also has his registered on Liber Astartes, and from what I gather has worked on a decent amount of fluff and background for his chapter. So you both have chapters with the same name. Life will go on.

 

@ Bootae: Sorry for the ramble on your post, but I needed to get that off my chest. As to your post, I think it is a really cool idea. As much as camoflouge is looked down upon as a paint scheme by some, I like it. I think it adds a certain amount of militarism to the army, which helps if you are trying to obtain a certain feel for your chapter. I also like the way you describe how the Shadowhawks came back from the brink of disaster and are now able to work within the folds of the Imperium. You also left yourself a nice little out if you ever wanted to do a smaller rengade type force with those Shadowhawks who did not want to return. Very intriguing.

 

Good luck with your new/ old chapter.

[Tubal]

Camouflage? CAMOUFLAGE! The colours of cowardice are wholly inappropriate to a true warrior!

 

Hrm, aside from that you have a pretty good example of fluff progression. I'm guessing that you used Night Lords rules when they were renegade and went back to C:SM when they were exonerated?

 

I'm guessing the disadvantage you mean is 'Eye to eye', limiting your bikes and speeders. It's a major disadvantage though, so you're forced to take another advantage to be allowed to take it :) My recommendation is 'Cleanse and purify' in the Sombre trait. 'See, but don't be seen' is in the same trait so you'll only have to take one major disadvantage. It will allow your (infiltrating) tactical squads to take two special weapons :)

[Rogue Trader]

Camouflage? CAMOUFLAGE! The colours of cowardice are wholly inappropriate to a true warrior!

Hardly :)

 

Whilst Rogal Dorn has oft and famously been quoted as saying "Camouflage is the colour of cowardice" the Codex itself states that some chapters make extensive use of camo (hence the See, but don't be seen trait)

 

Personally, I think bootae's done some damn good work here, and whilst "staying in character" is all well and good, given a couple of your recent posts I'd like to see less "rhetoric" and more constructive comments (like the rest of your post) from you Tubal. :P

 

 

RT

[Jokersminis]

Insignium Astartes- The Uniforms and Regalia of the Space Marines also states that scouts employ a huge variety of Camo schemes, and that a force will take into account the local conditions before kitting up for a mission.

 

I would say that any infiltrating unit would apply the same thinking. But I wouldn't try it with Imperial Fists... :)

[Pugski]

It sure is a good read, but from time to time it's a little confusing. Perhaps it is because English isn't my native language, perhaps it is something else.

 

About the Shadowsnipers, what are you thinking about to represent them?

[Bootae]

First, thanks for the replies :P

 

Commissar Molotov

Cheers dude!

 

Brother Renn

Exactly, I had to leave the option of the old renegades with snipers et all, as I've had emails from a couple of people who used my old chaos based list to make their own Shadowhawks :) Was well chuffed to hear they did, so I can't write them out.

 

Tubal

Ahh that's interesting, I missed that. Well I definately want the lack of Fast Attack disadvantage because I wanted to have something representing them still not back to to full strength, so if that means I get a second bonus, hey that's all good. And actually being able to take a second special weapon would be perfect as I actually have too many built and painted as it was.

 

And yes indeed, it was a modifed (but legally) version of the Night Lords list, take a look here if you're interested.

 

Rogue Trader

Glad you like mate!

 

jokersminis

Indeed, in fact there was even around the time of the change from RT to 2nd edition, some artwork of both Dark Angels and Spacewolves in camo schemes. So it's been about for some time ;)

 

Aaron the Unforgivin

Ahhh the Shadowsnipers... Well this was one of the hardest decisions. I've had to write them out of the list as there was no way that I could think of keeping them in legally with a Codex: Spacemarines list. I did ponder using the Vindicare Assassin rules, but with the having to take an Inquisitor aswell, I just couldn't see a way of explaining that that I would be comfortable with fluff wise.

 

Previously I used a Night Lord character with infiltrate vet skills and a Kai Gun.

 

It's a shame because I've got one converted and everything :P But, sometimes you have to sacrifice things for the greater good of the list!

[Tubal]

Camouflage? CAMOUFLAGE! The colours of cowardice are wholly inappropriate to a true warrior!

Hardly :)

Well, maybe there should have been a smiley around there somewhere =)

 

Camouflage on marines has moved back and forth in the fluff. In Rouge Trader it seems to have been quite common (though I'm a bit to young for that) but it disappeared completely in 2nd and 3rd edition 40k. It's only now in the new codex that they actually have any support at all ruleswise.

 

My own marines are probably going to do a lot of infiltrating themselves actually, so I'm not going to say anything bad about it =)

[Aurelius Rex]

Camoflage is back in style this season, for some marines at least. As recently as a couple of months ago the Raptors had a number of great looking camo vehicles appear in the weighty and flufftastic 'Imperial Armour 2: Space Marines & Forces of the Inquisition' book.

 

Dorn and his dayglow yellow Imperial Fists may have distained camo, but it was obvious that Corax had a different and equally valid view for his marines like the Raptors and Raven Guard. Camo = :tu: fluffwise.

[CommanderFlintlock]

Very, very good! Camo is indeed back in style! And while i can't really see the new Lysander figure in khaki, i am all for it! I like the image your chapter gives, of suddenly materialising 'out of nowhere' [cue dramatic music], totally annihalating the enemy then melting back into the scenery. very cool! :tu:

 

Despite the "Camouflage is the colour of cowardice" references, This is a truly excellent chapter, and the theme gives a great base for conversions, like u could have your marines' lower leg- and forearm- guards covered in 3D camo, or ur tanks' and Dreddies' upper surfaces covered in camo netting. the list goes on! *Sigh* So much conversions, so little time... :cuss

 

Very good. Keep it up!

Flintlock

 

-------------------

 

In sanctus nomine ad Imperialis

[Captain Leo]

I really must post up my sneaky devils, who do believe firmly that

having a 7ft tall warrior of legend suddenly charge you from nowhere is just as intimidating and the shock alone can kill.

 

I assume that Garan and his friends will be acting in the Codex Chaos fashion you used to use, hunting down traitors, aiding those that need it etc, etc? Will they be using their brothers as a refuel/rearm depot?

[Wulfen_Icon]

One of the most well-written IA's i've red in a little while.

Bear in mind kiddies, It has even been stated before, with a thousand chapters, it's possible that there are 2 chapter with the same name, completely oblivious to each other's exisitence.......... You guys should've stayed that way.

Camo is very cool, and all my scouts will be sporting some.

Like your characters, it's an all-round good read.

Sincerely,

Icon

[Bootae]

I assume that Garan and his friends will be acting in the Codex Chaos fashion you used to use, hunting down traitors, aiding those that need it etc, etc? Will they be using their brothers as a refuel/rearm depot?

That's something I'm pondering on. I've got my converted Garan the Shadowsniper (excuse the blurry images) and it would be a shame to waste him, so I'm thinking about making a very small seperate army for him and his faction. Just him and two basic (but highly converted) squads, painted to look really battered and poorly equiped, maybe even chuck in some looted xenos guns. Be interesting more from a conversion/painting/fluff front than game use, but could be cool for like small special missions in campaigns. But I'm going to hang fire on this until the main army is done

 

Thanks for the comments folks, glad it's going down so well! :tu: The Shadowhawks have been several years in the making now and they'vegone through a variety of changes, but I think at last I've got them sorted. The army itself has grown considerably in the last few months (been on a painting spree) just passed 2000pts and I've got lots more to do!

 

Of course the knock on effect of all this chapter evolution is I'll have to edit the fiction I've written in the past... I changed the chapter to remaining Emperor faithfull (instead of totally losing their faith) in the previous version of the fluff , but I've still not yet found the courage to start editing my rather long "Avengis" story, as it will take some time.

 

And before I do that I want to define my current selection of characters, as having killed Habaal off I need to sort out the new chapter master. I'm tempted to have Chief Librarian Argus leading the chapter for a while, but I've had a bit of a Librarian fetish since Rogue Trader :cuss

[Wendigo]

Bootae,

 

I've enjoyed your Shadowhawks fluff for some time now, and was happy to see that the new SM Codex has given them a new lease on life. The problem of representing your Shadowsniper character using the new rules is an interesting one, and it would be a real shame to leave these specialists out of your 4th Ed. loyalist army.

 

You say you've always liked Librarians--how about using a Librarian to represent the Shadowsniper?

• The heavy sniper rifle: use the psychic power Fury of the Ancients (it's not a perfect expression of a .50-cal sniper rifle, since it wouldn't be anti-tank in a 40K game, but it might represent the 40K equivalent of a Soviet semi-auto Dragunov rifle designed to hit multiple targets at medium or long range in rapid succession)
  
• The camo/cameoline cloak: give him an Iron Halo
  
• Heightened situational awareness: psychic power Veil of Time would represent him foregoing shooting to pass on observations to the rest of the Shadowhawk force; a Familiar--use a servo-skull--could represent the personal advantage in HtH he gains from the sensors built into his armor and rifle (i.e. he's bloody hard to sneak up on). He'd need to be an Epistolary to have a choice of two alternate powers.
  
• The Shadowsniper's battlefield independence, forward observer tactics and second-in-command rank are already embodied in the Librarian's indie character status and rules. One complication/un-fluffy element is that your Lib would have to be accompanied by a power-armored command squad to use Infiltrate--in your original idea, the Shadowsniper always operated completely alone.
  

It's not perfect, but it's an idea. The Kai Gun was a great rules equivalent to a 20th-/21st-century anti-tank or heavy sniper rifle; the new SM Codex doesn't have anything that matches so well.

 

 

Wendigo

[Tubal]

[*]Heightened situational awareness: psychic power Veil of Time would represent him foregoing shooting to pass on observations to the rest of the Shadowhawk force

Veil of time only gives re-rolls to the librarian himself, you don't get to re-roll every roll for every marine in the army. 10 (or 30) points for a guaranteed win is pretty low...

[Orkdung]

Great stuff as usual Bootae.

 

Have you thought about adding a DAMOCLES command Rhino to your army? I think it would be just the ticket for your type of army.

 

Making the Shadowsniper a Librarian is a very good idea.

 

With the new rules etc...you could certainly infiltrate a Libby in, and maybe he could even have a scout "neophyte" tagging along carrying a sniper rifle (as "wargear" for the Psychic powers) as a Familiar.

 

- Dung

[Bootae]

Ah ha, that Fury of the Ancients suggestion is pretty damn good! Very interesting!

 

Hmmm, now the not being able to infiltrate unless I give him a command squad is a pain.. But I suppose I could write something to explain it easily enough. How about I do something like he operates independently, assessing the enemy, assassinations, coordinating the Shadowhawks deployment, etc as per their original fluff and then when the main combat starts he is joined by his Command Staff and bodyguard (with a ranged combat theme) in a forward position and they lay the smack down?

[Bootae]

I'd never actually looked at the Damocles, just nipped over to Forgeworld... OMG that has Shadowhawks written all over it :tu:

 

Not seen the rules as I don't have that IA2 yet, but regardless I'll be ordering one just for the look asap!

 

oooh ideas forumlating :cuss

[Wulfen_Icon]

lol.

That'd be great, although seriously consider the damocles. It'd help.

Also, be sure to include as many all-sniper scouts squads as possible. It IS possible to have an entire army as scouts...(except elites, hq, and HS).

Sincerely,

Icon

[Takeo H.]

yay!! i love the shadow hawks. :P

Pity you are gonna have to rewrite the avengis story i really liked that.

Maybe you could have that as a piece of fluff from before they were exonorated?

[Bootae]

yay!! i love the shadow hawks. :P

Pity you are gonna have to rewrite the avengis story i really liked that.

Maybe you could have that as a piece of fluff from before they were exonorated?

Exactly what I was thinking. I'm not gonna rewrite the whole thing, just edit it to alter the more "heretical" viewpoints expressed ^_^ I never finished it either, so I may tinker slightly with my planned ending to link it into the events on Aquila.