The Castigators

[Marshal Rohr]

Looking at a Galaxy map it would appear that the Castigators would have a job like the Legions who stayed in Spain and Greece to maintain order (in Roman times) in fairly pacified areas. While sending units out to fight the Emenies of the Emperor of course.

[Commissar Molotov]

I think that's quite a good parallel. Maintaining order - the Imperium and the Castigators are all about maintaining the status quo. It speaks into the mindset of the Imperial citizen that they're terrified to let anything decay.

 

I was reading the Dark Heresy rulebook yesterday and it made me realise just what a terrifying place the Imperium is. Not even because of the civil rights abuses, etc, etc. But because of this:

 

Each astropath employs slightly different symbols and each has a preferred style or "flavour". Some messages take weeks of poring over tomes of augurs and symbolism before they can be reconstructed, though the best astropaths can do this word for word. Some remain a mystery forever. Some messages are received by astropaths at entirely the wrong end of the galaxy and must be passed on to others who are nearer the place in question.

 

Some messages simply do not get to their intended recipient or are drastically misinterpreted along the way. In addition, there are too few astropaths. Most worlds, especially those with small populations or on the fringes of the Imperium have no astropaths at all, and must rely on the infrequent visits of passing ships or Administratum census-takers to make contact with the outside galaxy at all. for this reason the Adeptus Terra cannot react quickly to ever event in the Imperium.

 

Perversely, for the largest empire that humanity has ever known, many planets within the Imperium feel isolated and alone in the long night of space. Across all the peoples and planets of the Imperium, fear gnaws away at the psyche, worming mistrust and desperate faith into the conscious and unconscious mind. Time and again the universe has proved itself and uncaring and frightening place. People sicken, the warp rages, xenos attack and worlds die. The people of the Imperium watch their neighbours for signs of heresy and witchery. Mankind prays to the Emperor to protect them from the woes of the universe, of which there are many.

 

So I can see the Castigators (and Space Marines in general) acting as overlords, in a sense. Like knights in a feudal state. They would protect their area, but also send Marines out further afield.

[Marshal Rohr]

Wow, the universe in 40k is rough. I like that astropathic messages are like a galactic game of telephone ;) . But earlier you had referenced the 5th Company being similar to the Marcher Lords of England and Wales, so from that I got the image that the companies most responsible for maintaining order in the realms of the Castigators would be the 5th. While what you said about Captain Timon having been the widest traveled (at least, I think thats what you said) would work well with his role as Master of the Fleet.

 

Another Direction: How do you envision the Chapter Master? Do you ever expect to use him or represent him in model form? Does he have an Honor Guard? Is he more of a figurehead or is he still a combat leader (as in constantly fighting, all marines are combat leaders :) ) ?

[Commissar Molotov]

Wow, the universe in 40k is rough. I like that astropathic messages are like a galactic game of telephone ;) . But earlier you had referenced the 5th Company being similar to the Marcher Lords of England and Wales, so from that I got the image that the companies most responsible for maintaining order in the realms of the Castigators would be the 5th. While what you said about Captain Timon having been the widest traveled (at least, I think thats what you said) would work well with his role as Master of the Fleet.

 

My feeling is that Caphius, as Master of the Watch, would be most responsible for Losanco's security. Anteas, as Master of the Marches, would be nominally responsible for defending the Howling Stars (the name's growing on me, I must admit) whilst Sirius is Master of the Arsenal and Timon is Master of the Fleet. With that said, in the Ultramarines, Agemman is Regent of Ultramar - so perhaps Escalus would be in charge of Losanco whilst Caphius would be in charge of the planetary system and possibly the Sanctuary, also.

 

Another Direction: How do you envision the Chapter Master? Do you ever expect to use him or represent him in model form? Does he have an Honor Guard? Is he more of a figurehead or is he still a combat leader (as in constantly fighting, all marines are combat leaders :) ) ?

 

Quintilius is an interesting character - Darth Potato and I were discussing him last night. At the moment he seems very distant, quiet, introverted and austere. But Chapter Masters are typically charismatic leaders. At the moment the closest comparison would be the Imperial Fists Chapter Master, Vladimir Pugh.

 

With all the focus on the Captains and the inter-Chapter politics, we tend to see the Captains as the charismatic leaders instead. Sometimes I feel bad for Quintilius, because it's as though we're not doing him justice.

 

Quintilius has led the Castigators for the last hundred years. His grizzled face speaks of his long centuries of service; before he ascended to the venerated office of Master, he had served the Chapter with honour for over three hundred years. In battle, he is a formidable figure, surrounded by the devastatingly skilled warriors of the Chapter's Honour Guard.

 

But Quintilius is acutely aware that the duties of a Chapter Master do not solely reside upon the battlefield. he does what he must to quell the more zealous voices within the Chapter and to mediate fractious truces with the Adeptus Astra Telepathica and the Navis Nobilite, organisations of psykers and mutants upon whom the Chapter's existence depends.

 

Those organisations that share long-standing relations with the Castigators see Quintilius as a moderate; under his command, the Castigators have enjoyed strengthened relations with the Adeptus Mechanicus, the Inquisition and even other Chapters of the Astartes.

 

He does have an Honour Guard - I had seen them almost as a Sword of Damocles, loyal to the Chapter over the Chapter Master, but I had thought that made them seem a little too sinister. The Honour Guard is led by a Marine known as the Seneschal - the current Seneschal is Acerbus. the Honour Guard serve to bodyguard the Chapter Master and other notable Chapter figures - the Chapter's Ancient, for example. (In fact, the current Ancient, Rhetoricus, was once an Honour Guardian.)

[Ferrus Manus]

He does have an Honour Guard - I had seen them almost as a Sword of Damocles, loyal to the Chapter over the Chapter Master, but I had thought that made them seem a little too sinister. The Honour Guard is led by a Marine known as the Seneschal - the current Seneschal is Acerbus. the Honour Guard serve to bodyguard the Chapter Master and other notable Chapter figures - the Chapter's Ancient, for example. (In fact, the current Ancient, Rhetoricus, was once an Honour Guardian.)

I remember discussing this. Does it stil stand that the Seneschal has the power to execute the Chapter Master if he is suspected of heresy, or someother unforgivable crime?

[Commissar Molotov]

Yes, theoretically. The Castigators aren't falling to heresy! ;)

 

This blog entry has details on Acerbus - including the fact that he has the title "Proctor of the Citadel", which I had forgotten.

[Marshal Rohr]

How do I get in on these conversations!?!?! :P

 

SO Ruleswise the Seneschal is the Chapter Champion?

[Commissar Molotov]

How do I get in on these conversations!?!?! :)

 

Well, if you have MSN, PM me your address and we'll include you. ;)

 

SO Ruleswise the Seneschal is the Chapter Champion?

 

Per the latest Codex, yes, I suppose so. The Castigators don't have a "Chapter Champion", though. They don't have "Company Champions", either. Every Castigator is supposed to exemplify and embody purity and skill.

[Marshal Rohr]

Unfortuantely for me I have a mac so no MSN :)

 

The discussion about Piracy in the other thread has led me to a new line of questions for the Castigators:

Is there piracy around the Howling Stars? How big is the Castigators Fleet?

 

 

I finished my first model but my camera is in Hawaii unfortunately so it looks like I wont be putting any pictures up anytime soon. I am happy with the color scheme but jumping from Mechrite to Blood Red is a bit shocking and a red-gore highlight doesnt work with Mechrite because of its purplish properties. A mix of Blood and Mechrite helped smooth it out so I am happy with it. Thorns are hard to represent in paint but I think I did OK. I like the Chapter alot and I am glad your letting me do them, I cant think of another army that will be as fun to play with.

[Commissar Molotov]

Well, I imagine there might be. I don't intend to detail the whole of the Howling Stars - I leave ventures like that to the Anargo Sector team! There is piracy across much of the Imperium, though.

 

As to the Castigators' fleet, they have two Battle-Barges (the Holy Enterprise and the Sacred Endeavour) and then six Strike Cruisers (I named them earlier in the thread, though the only ones I can recall are the Thrice-Blessed Sword, Inviolate and the Defiant.) Along with their attendant escort vessels, also.

 

Thorns aren't necessarily a common visual element on the Castigators - only some in the Chapter will use them, most particularly the zealots.

[Marshal Rohr]

The test model was a Sternguard Veteran so I figured that he has seen enough of his brothers die at arms to be Fiery and Zealous. Is this Ok?

 

 

the Holy Enterprise? Any inspiration for that one? :P

[Commissar Molotov]

The test model was a Sternguard Veteran so I figured that he has seen enough of his brothers die at arms to be Fiery and Zealous. Is this Ok?

 

Sure, it will be cool to see some Sternguard. Don't forget the Veterans wear a slightly different scheme:

 

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z121/mnesimache/Castigators/CastigatorsVeteran.gif

 

the Holy Enterprise? Any inspiration for that one? :P

 

I get my in-jokes where I can. :P

[Heru]

the Holy Enterprise? Any inspiration for that one? :confused:

Heh yeah that's why he's also got the Defiant on the list (two Star Trek ships were called that - I actually gave him that name earlier in the thread), and also I bet the Sacred Endeavour is named after the USS Endeavour.

[Commissar Molotov]

Actually not - though the older Imperius Excelsis was named after the USS Excelsior.

[Heru]

Actually not - though the older Imperius Excelsis was named after the USS Excelsior.

Yeah well at least now you know there was a USS Endeavour.

[Commissar Molotov]

There've been two or three. A Constitution-Class one, one mentioned in The Undiscovered Country and a Nebula-Class one that fought at Sector 001. [/geek]

 

:)

 

But back to the Castigators!

[brother varen]

When a Castigator company is sent out from the homeworld, is there a "standard" organization that goes, beside the company formation? For example; scout squads, techmarines, terminators, veterans(power armour), Dreanoughts, and vehicles.

 

I like and vote for "The Howling Stars", it just gives that feeling of a hard to survive life style. Just what i believe that you want for the Castigators. It would also impart that zealous attitude of the Castigators. (Darkness behind every corner feel) ;)

 

Does Caphius have a normal battle formation or does he perfer to cover every possible approach to what war will bring? Any new information on the 2nd Company chaplain from Arion yet?

 

With the Castigator's believe in purity, has this changed any asspect to the chapter's Apothecaries? Meaning, will a company include more than one, or are the sargents trained to collect gene-seed from the fallen. I just mean that i find it hard to see a chapter like the Castigators, who are very purity minded, to leave it with one man (Apothecary) with no back up in case he goes down. I can't see Captain Caphius doing this unless he has a honor guard to ensure the Apothecary's safety. Maybe this honor guard could be trained somewhat in the art of retreiving gene-seed? Just a thought.

 

To represent in models:

 

1.) In the command squad, what type of marines would there be? I know the Castigators don't have a company champion.

 

2.) Would a company chaplain have an honor guard escort?

 

 

I would like to represent the 2nd company as you see them. Also what is the formula that everyone is using to paint the castigators? How is your company coming? Haven't seen to much in the "two companies" article.

[Commissar Molotov]

When a Castigator company is sent out from the homeworld, is there a "standard" organization that goes, beside the company formation? For example; scout squads, techmarines, terminators, veterans(power armour), Dreanoughts, and vehicles.

 

Well, let's see. Ordinarily any undertaking by the Castigators will focus around a Battle-Company with attached support. Smaller engagements might only warrant a demi-Company, which may be led by a Captain or a Senior Sergeant with the aid of a Chaplain. Though it's important to note that the Chaplains don't actually command, they do have a great deal of influence within the Chapter. Especially so within the Second Company.

 

Then additional units would be attached. This would include vehicles from the armoury along with additional Marines from the Reserve, Scout and Veteran Companies. The First Company would typically not fight as a single unit, instead being distributed where required (this is especially true for the Terminators.) Dreadnoughts are assigned to specific Companies (unlike vehicles such as Predators) and will accordingly accompany their Brothers.

 

 

I like and vote for "The Howling Stars", it just gives that feeling of a hard to survive life style. Just what i believe that you want for the Castigators. It would also impart that zealous attitude of the Castigators. (Darkness behind every corner feel) :(

 

I'm glad you like it. It's definitely grown on me.

 

Does Caphius have a normal battle formation or does he perfer to cover every possible approach to what war will bring? Any new information on the 2nd Company chaplain from Arion yet?

 

I'm not entirely sure what you mean here. If you mean typical tactics, I've not detailed Caphius enough to know. You guys that have adopted the Captains are allowed to have some input! ;) I'd forgotten about Nicodemus - I'll ask Aerion what's going on with him.

 

With the Castigator's believe in purity, has this changed any asspect to the chapter's Apothecaries? Meaning, will a company include more than one, or are the sargents trained to collect gene-seed from the fallen. I just mean that i find it hard to see a chapter like the Castigators, who are very purity minded, to leave it with one man (Apothecary) with no back up in case he goes down. I can't see Captain Caphius doing this unless he has a honor guard to ensure the Apothecary's safety. Maybe this honor guard could be trained somewhat in the art of retreiving gene-seed? Just a thought.

 

Well, the job of the Apothecary is certainly more strenuous. I've said in the past that the 10th Company has three Apothecaries assigned to it, whilst the others just have one. If you read Brothers of the Snake I'm pretty sure at one point Priad secures the geneseed from one of his Brothers. That may not be the case. I don't think Sergeants would be Apothecaries (like with the Purity Above All trait) but perhaps they might be trained in rudimentary extraction techniques in case of emergency.

 

Honour Guard would likely not be attached to Chaplains or Apothecaries (and if you look in the new Codex, you can only take Honour Guard alongside the Chapter Master.)

 

 

To represent in models:

 

1.) In the command squad, what type of marines would there be? I know the Castigators don't have a company champion.

 

A Company Standard Bearer, an Apothecary, a Sergeant, a Marine with a special weapon (in all likelihood) and probably the Librarian attached to the Company.

 

 

 

I would like to represent the 2nd company as you see them. Also what is the formula that everyone is using to paint the castigators? How is your company coming? Haven't seen to much in the "two companies" article.

 

You can read Fabricator-General's recipe here. My Castigators have been slowed by university and the fact that I've just not been able to get a good red. I'm working on fluff at the moment, and then I'm going to try to work on the red again. I might have to buy some paints from Vallejo to see if they work any better.

[Marshal Rohr]

Commissar,

 

Try:

Mechrite Red

Mechrite Red: Blood Red 1:1

Blood Red:Water 1:3

Devlan Mud:Water 1:3

 

 

It blends it nicely and gives the crevices a nice deep shade as well as blending the Blood Red into the other highlights.

 

Ok I need to go back and redo the helmet and pauldron rims.....

[Commissar Molotov]

Do we get to see any photographs? ;)

[Marshal Rohr]

My camera is in Hawaii. So as soon as I can get one working I swear Ill post them. Although I do have some touch ups.

[brother varen]

If i remember correctly each squad contained a Apothecary in the book "Brothers of the snake". Would Marshal2crusaders reciepe be right? What have you tried? What has Darth used for his reciepe of red?

 

I haven't seen the new codex yet, so i have no idea on the changes made. I do plan on getting it when it comes out though. have you decided on what Caphius's heraldry will be?

 

Have the Black Consuls been wiped out? If so, are you going to have the Castigators search for surviors or salvaged their equipment? I could see in a final act of honor to salvage what they could of the Black Consuls equipment in order for them to carry on the emperor's will in spirit. That way the Black Consuls will never truely be wiped out. But i don't see Caphius even going near their equipment due to the fact, that they weren't strong enough to carry on the Emperor's will. Though the Castigator techmarines and Master of the Forge might see this differently due to the machines spirits. Save or mercy killing to save the machines spirits. Intresting game scenerio, maybe.

 

I have been intrested in the wreath of thorns. Trying to figure out how to incorprate it into the company. Have you an idea for the thorn pattern? What strike cruiser is the 2nd Company's?

How is the Castigator website progressing? Been eagerly awaiting it to open.

[Commissar Molotov]

If i remember correctly each squad contained a Apothecary in the book "Brothers of the snake".

 

Indeed, but I thought it happened in one of the short stories where the Apothecary had died.

 

Would Marshal2crusaders reciepe be right? What have you tried? What has Darth used for his reciepe of red?

 

I think the thing to remember is that it's quite a dark red. My two attempts have been straight red gore (pre-Foundation) and Mechrite followed by Red Gore. I'm considering Crimson Gore (the Vallejo colour) because that's what Fab-Gen used. I think as long as it's relatively dark (darker than blood red, at least) you can get away with it.

 

I haven't seen the new codex yet, so i have no idea on the changes made. I do plan on getting it when it comes out though. have you decided on what Caphius's heraldry will be?

 

I have the new Codex - it's very interesting. I've considered suggesting Pedro Kantor as Captain Caphius - he has a Power Fist and a Storm Bolter - he also makes his squad stubborn, which seems quite consistent with Caphius. He also makes Sternguard Veterans scoring units, but that could represent attached First Company elements operating alongside the Second.

 

I always intended Caphius's heraldry to be a two-headed eagle tearing a snake in half. Something akin to these. Then again, that might just be the Second Company's standard, allowing him to have something else. I'm not set in stone there. I did think that perhaps his heraldry might reflect upon Lycidius somewhat.

 

Have the Black Consuls been wiped out? If so, are you going to have the Castigators search for surviors or salvaged their equipment? I could see in a final act of honor to salvage what they could of the Black Consuls equipment in order for them to carry on the emperor's will in spirit. That way the Black Consuls will never truely be wiped out. But i don't see Caphius even going near their equipment due to the fact, that they weren't strong enough to carry on the Emperor's will. Though the Castigator techmarines and Master of the Forge might see this differently due to the machines spirits. Save or mercy killing to save the machines spirits. Intresting game scenerio, maybe.

 

The Consuls have been "reported as being wiped out 455.M41" but the Codex goes on to say "Current status unknown." I believe that's to give wiggle room for Black Consuls players. I do think that the Castigators would salvage what they could, but your ideas fall into line with those presented by Nash Trickster - that some of the hardliners might think the Consuls got what they deserved.

 

I have been intrested in the wreath of thorns. Trying to figure out how to incorprate it into the company. Have you an idea for the thorn pattern? What strike cruiser is the 2nd Company's?

How is the Castigator website progressing? Been eagerly awaiting it to open.

 

The Inviolate is the Cruiser traditionally used by Second Company - even as far back as when Lycidius commanded. As to the wreath, it doesn't need to be a common thing - it's meant to be an honour akin to the laurel wreath in the Ultramarines.

[Tyrannicide]

Would Marshal2crusaders reciepe be right? What have you tried? What has Darth used for his reciepe of red?

 

I haven't painted any Castigators for over three months now, but if I recall correctly, I used something along these lines:

 

Chaos Black undercoat -> Two thin coats of Mechrite Red -> Red Gore highlights -> Baal Red wash

 

I plan to create a force of 1000 points of Castigators led by Captain Sirius around the new year. Hopefully I can at least get the army built by then. All the models will be new, and the conversions will be aplenty.

[Marshal Rohr]

Im taking a break from my Templars to work on the Castigators, at first Itll be a demi-company with 1st and 10th support but I wont finish the whole army until much later.