The Castigators

[Commissar Molotov]

Some random notes I've been thinking about.

 

The majority of settlements on the dark-side of Losanco are sturdy, fortified towns, many built from scrap metal recovered from their ancient vessel. I imagine most of them would need city walls, and I can imagine them having large, barred gates. These settlements are guarded by militia forces, volunteers. I see them as exemplfying that 'techno-barbarian' idea. Some might have lascarbines or muskets, whilst others would prefer three feet of scrap metal. Quite rag-tag, as I've mentioned before.

 

The laws vary from settlement to settlement, but trial by combat is a mainstay of the society. The accuser and the accused in any dispute will fight to see who is right. Some combats might be to the death, but others might have different conditions. I imagine this might help exemplify the whole 'survival of the fittest' aspect. The central part to any settlement is the 'bloodsquare' (also known as the 'Court of Crimson') where disputes are settled, trade and agreements carried out, so on and so forth.

 

Mutants are feared and hated upon Losanco. Whether the mutation is simply trivial and inconvenient is irrelevant - mutated babies are killed at birth. The greatest threat is that of the latent psyker - a blemish that cannot be seen from the outside. Such psykers are seldom able to control themselves but are frequently capable of causing devastating damage - I have a vague idea that perhaps a medium-sized settlement was annihilated by a latent psyker unable to control himself. Anyway, those that are discovered are likely to face the wrath of those they once considered their friends and neighbours, being put to death for their abomination, lest they bring down the wrath of the Emperor and his Angels.

 

I imagine that the militas would tend to focus their efforts on protecting their towns and driving back mutants. If necessary, they'd try to stop raids and push them back to the dayside. Thinking about it, it helps to make Losanco more of an interesting world - the idea that there's this sort of combat going on. Mutants might try to capture settlements, raid caravans, etc, etc. But there'd be a rarer breed of warriors that take it upon themselves to go to the day-side in an attempt to eradicate the mutants. Sand-scarred, hard-bitten, they would evoke fear and respect in equal measure. I had the idea that those who hunt for the mutants paint a white band across their faces, a tradition said to invoke the Emperor's blessing. Perhaps some of the scouts could maintain this tradition - it would certainly be gone by the time they were full Marines, but it's a nice visual touch which actually reminds me of an image of a blue stripe that I saw in Insignium Astartes and brings in some of those 'techno-barbaric' aspects without me needing to go all 'Kil Kil Kil!'. I imagined that young and impressionable Children might revere these rugged warriors, and some might join the expeditions. The Chaplains would observe these milita groups from a distance and stop them on their way back, taking the child and providing the militia forces with technology or weaponry so as to continue the fight. I don't know.

 

Any thoughts are welcome.

[Tyrannicide]

I like the feel of the settlements as they're coming together, very rag-tag and improvised indeed. The town militia and all, seems to be right. But what interests me the most, are these bands of mutant killers (these guys need a set name). I would like to know more on their personality and lifestyles. Are they psychotic killers on the loose, that hunt for the bloodshed of the mutants and complete extermination, or are they more of a mellow, scouting party that strikes quickly, before leaving the corpses of their enemies in the dust? I understand that on Losanco, mutations including psychic connections are feared, and there for annihilated, but there has to be some measure to the mutant killings. I'm sure the these 'bands of warriors' are outnumbered quite a bit, there would have to be some control, not just a complete rampage, every time they go to battle.

 

As for painting a white stripe across the warrior's faces, I like it. It definitely gives much more of a visual aspect, if it carries over into the scout company. The idea of small children roaming about with the 'mutant kill-teams' is a good one, thus providing promising initiates for the Castigators. I could definitely see the Chapter giving some supplies/rations/weapons to the Losancans, as you said, so they could continue battling against their enemies.

[Darrell]

I assume that the militia is a relatively permanent assignment, but what about the ones who go hunting the mutants on their term? Do these men tend to only be one-timers? Or does the position tend to be more permanent, with the men essentially being "on leave" between hunts? I could see it working well either way; the terrible sacrifice of men who wander into the radioactive wastelands to hunt mutants, only to return tainted and have their people turn against them as mutations show themselves. Alternatively, you could have rough veterans with bronzed, baked skin who lead their communities with a steady hand and commanding voice that rises above the harsh winds of the endless deserts.

 

A protective, white stripe across the face would work well. It's not barbaric to the point of overpowering but it does carry a certain sense of primitive warfare. Would the stripe be painted horizontally, vertically, or pretty much anywhere across the face? If it's a vertical white stripe, it would be a coincidental similarity to the white stripe that Veteran Sergeants carry on their helmets. I don't know if you'd want to make a relationship there or not, since you said the practice would probably be phased out by the time they became brethren.

[Cpt_Tiberius]

What if these "mutant hunter" bands were part of a brotherhood not tied to any particular settlement. Sort of a roving band of nomadic protectors that roam the lands along the perimeter of the day/nightside. (sort of like Aragorn and his Rangers of the North from LOTR) they would stop at towns to resupply and barter for goods. The towns folk would respect them, but fear them at the same time, being both outsiders and "tainted" by their dayside hunts.

 

As for the stripe I see it running horizontal across the eyes. It would be a symbol of the warrior having seen the accursed light of the day side. and might be used to mask the tanning of the skin that would happen on that area of the face between their head cover and lower face mask. Alternatively it could be a protective layer of paint to block the harmful rays of the sun that come through their dust goggles.

 

-T.

[Commissar Molotov]

I like the feel of the settlements as they're coming together, very rag-tag and improvised indeed. The town militia and all, seems to be right. But what interests me the most, are these bands of mutant killers (these guys need a set name). I would like to know more on their personality and lifestyles. Are they psychotic killers on the loose, that hunt for the bloodshed of the mutants and complete extermination, or are they more of a mellow, scouting party that strikes quickly, before leaving the corpses of their enemies in the dust? I understand that on Losanco, mutations including psychic connections are feared, and there for annihilated, but there has to be some measure to the mutant killings. I'm sure the these 'bands of warriors' are outnumbered quite a bit, there would have to be some control, not just a complete rampage, every time they go to battle.

 

As for painting a white stripe across the warrior's faces, I like it. It definitely gives much more of a visual aspect, if it carries over into the scout company. The idea of small children roaming about with the 'mutant kill-teams' is a good one, thus providing promising initiates for the Castigators. I could definitely see the Chapter giving some supplies/rations/weapons to the Losancans, as you said, so they could continue battling against their enemies.

 

You're right, the bands will need a name of some sort. I'm just keen not to give them a name that doesn't suit. There'll be a name eventually, I just need to brainstorm and such. I don't see the bands as being psychotic killers, but they're certainly possessed by a ferocious drive, a sense of duty, that they're doing the Right Thing by hunting down the Mutants so as to benefit the Emperor. They're a minority, but a minority that carries a fair amount of weight. Perhaps they're seen as troublesome, but few in the settlements would outright oppose them. After all, every now and then they'll return bearing technology needed to aid survival.

 

I assume that the militia is a relatively permanent assignment, but what about the ones who go hunting the mutants on their term? Do these men tend to only be one-timers? Or does the position tend to be more permanent, with the men essentially being "on leave" between hunts? I could see it working well either way; the terrible sacrifice of men who wander into the radioactive wastelands to hunt mutants, only to return tainted and have their people turn against them as mutations show themselves. Alternatively, you could have rough veterans with bronzed, baked skin who lead their communities with a steady hand and commanding voice that rises above the harsh winds of the endless deserts.

 

A protective, white stripe across the face would work well. It's not barbaric to the point of overpowering but it does carry a certain sense of primitive warfare. Would the stripe be painted horizontally, vertically, or pretty much anywhere across the face? If it's a vertical white stripe, it would be a coincidental similarity to the white stripe that Veteran Sergeants carry on their helmets. I don't know if you'd want to make a relationship there or not, since you said the practice would probably be phased out by the time they became brethren.

 

I'm not sure about militia duty being an 'assignment'. I guess it's like a neighbourhood watch of some kind, most men would participate in the guardianship of the towns. Not sure as yet. Also, the stripe I'd envisaged was a horizontal one, across the eyes - much like Tiberius mentioned. (We're obviously on a similar wavelength).

 

What if these "mutant hunter" bands were part of a brotherhood not tied to any particular settlement. Sort of a roving band of nomadic protectors that roam the lands along the perimeter of the day/nightside. (sort of like Aragorn and his Rangers of the North from LOTR) they would stop at towns to resupply and barter for goods. The towns folk would respect them, but fear them at the same time, being both outsiders and "tainted" by their dayside hunts.

 

As for the stripe I see it running horizontal across the eyes. It would be a symbol of the warrior having seen the accursed light of the day side. and might be used to mask the tanning of the skin that would happen on that area of the face between their head cover and lower face mask. Alternatively it could be a protective layer of paint to block the harmful rays of the sun that come through their dust goggles.

 

-T.

 

I didn't imagine the mutant hunter bands to be tied to a settlement. I thought that the militas would be local, but the hunters would go wherever they wanted. So you're thinking very much along similar wavelengths to me, Cap. Ditto for the stripe - I had just thought of it for aesthetics, but you come up with some great reasoning for it, which makes me like it all the more.

 

<_<

[brother varen]

What if the mutant hunters were suriviors from settlements that were destroyed by the mutants? They think themselves blessed by the emperor for their surivial. Then they pledge themselves to the the emperor by purging the mutants as offerings for their continued surival. (This could be the start of their heritage.) They would travel the border between light and dark side to do the emperor's work. When supplies are needed they would travel to the nearest settlement. there they would possibly pick up new recruits and pray to the emperor in the settltement's shrine, leaving some offerings. Or each settlement could have a seperate shrine that was created by the earliest mutant hunters. Maybe the earliest mutant hunters created some of these settlements??

Maybe the mutant hunters help train the settlement's milita in fortification and mutant tactics for their needed supplies. I can see the hunters grouping never to exceed a certain amount of people, when it does they brake into seperate units and go their seperate ways. I can imagine the hunters as being anti-social with others. Never talking unless needed, never acting until they need to. I also think that over time, that maybe they develop a talent to now when danger is near. (just an idea) This could make them stand out and away from the other inhabants.

As far as names...... maybe, "the Ecplisers"? Ones who block out of light and purge the unclean. Just an idea. :lol:

[Heru]

A counter-weight would be to suggest that perhaps these raids may even provoke mutant retaliation, like the man that goes into a Bear's cave and pokes the sleeping bear with a stick... perhaps not all the groups that go over to fight the mutants are honourable, perhaps some are merely thugs that raid mutant camps to steal valuable items that the mutants themselves got on their raids.

[Darrell]

I hadn't meant assignment as literally something that was forced on someone. Position probably would have been a better term for it.

[Commissar Molotov]

What if the mutant hunters were suriviors from settlements that were destroyed by the mutants? They think themselves blessed by the emperor for their surivial. Then they pledge themselves to the the emperor by purging the mutants as offerings for their continued surival. (This could be the start of their heritage.) They would travel the border between light and dark side to do the emperor's work. When supplies are needed they would travel to the nearest settlement. there they would possibly pick up new recruits and pray to the emperor in the settltement's shrine, leaving some offerings. Or each settlement could have a seperate shrine that was created by the earliest mutant hunters. Maybe the earliest mutant hunters created some of these settlements??

Maybe the mutant hunters help train the settlement's milita in fortification and mutant tactics for their needed supplies. I can see the hunters grouping never to exceed a certain amount of people, when it does they brake into seperate units and go their seperate ways. I can imagine the hunters as being anti-social with others. Never talking unless needed, never acting until they need to. I also think that over time, that maybe they develop a talent to now when danger is near. (just an idea) This could make them stand out and away from the other inhabants.

As far as names...... maybe, "the Ecplisers"? Ones who block out of light and purge the unclean. Just an idea. ;)

 

Some interesting ideas. Now, 40k tends to be a little bland when it comes to the religious, which is interesting, when you consider how big a contributory theme religion is. You tend to either have the frothing mad religious zealot, or the quiet-but-blessed noble. To my mind, the mutant hunters are doing what they're doing because they believe if Losanco can only be cleansed of mutants, the Emperor will return once more. He has turned His face away from an impure galaxy, and left His Angels to guard them in His stead.

 

I certainly think some settlements might've been destroyed by the mutants - but I also like the idea of them recruiting from standing settlements. Of young children joining them, starting the lifestyle early. After all, Space Marine recruits need to be between ten and twelve. I like your ideas of them breaking off into smaller 'units'. I want to avoid too much military terminology. But above all, there is a solid, reasurring sense that however hard their lifestyle, they're doing the Right Thing.

 

A counter-weight would be to suggest that perhaps these raids may even provoke mutant retaliation, like the man that goes into a Bear's cave and pokes the sleeping bear with a stick... perhaps not all the groups that go over to fight the mutants are honourable, perhaps some are merely thugs that raid mutant camps to steal valuable items that the mutants themselves got on their raids.

 

You make a good point, Heru. I personally don't want the Mutants to just be faceless bad guys. There's no question that they're persecuted for their differences when they shouldn't be. But in the scheme of things on Losanco, they're the bad guys. And yes, I imagine some of the hunters will have been hardened to the point of callousness by their lives. Some will just be thugs. It's a war, and in times of war, questions of morality fall by the wayside, I guess.

[Commissar Molotov]

Further to my previous post, Tiberius made an interesting connection when talking about the Losancans. If you've ever seen The Wrath of Khan, when Chekov's on the surface of Ceti Alpha and they first see Khan, he's in an really interesting outfit:

 

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z121/mnesimache/Khansuit.jpg

 

Struck us as somewhat interesting.

[Cpt_Tiberius]

Ok, based on my conversations with Mol, I drew up this sketch to give an impression of an average Losancan hunter.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v650/Cpt_Tiberius/Losancan_Hunter_low.jpg

 

As you can see he is equipped with a crude sun visor to protect his eyes as well has a sturdy leather helm. His head wraps both protect him from the frigid biting winds and help to block the harmful solar rays. He sports several totems and charms to bring him fortune and luck in his hunt. The thermal bandages and dust shrouds also protect him as well as helping him blend into the desolate terrain of his homeworld. His primitive lasgun is decorated with metal studs and shows rudimentary controls near the grip.

 

I wanted the image to show a road weary but determined fighter. Oh, and you hopefully can make out the white paint band across his eyes.

 

-T.

[Hubernator]

:) No offence, but why does it look a lot like a rebel on Hoth from Star Wars? It's a good drawing, good job :P

[Cpt_Tiberius]

Technically he's a Bedouin/Cossack with Tusken Raider influences. :)

[ToyShip]

I like it, alot. The sun on the butt of the rifle is a neat little addition, possibly a battle honor from a previous mutant purge? I love how he looks sci-fi, but believable and worn looking. Its just awesome!

[Darrell]

I think it's a great mix between barbarian raider and modern rifleman. Looks awesome!

 

Great job, Tib. :)

[Cpt_Tiberius]

thanks guys, I'm glad you like it. :)

 

-T.

[Commissar Molotov]

I definitely like. Not what I expected, really, but I think he's awesome cool. And he's sparked off another round of brainstorming, which is always awesome.

[ToyShip]

Ok, so you guys have made me want to do a Necromunda gang based on the mutant hunters. :lol: I just wanted to say that I agree with Tiberius when he says he sees these guys like Lotr Rangers. They take what they can from the land, resupplying infrequently. The chapter has given them some support, so maybe they are the closest thing to a formal organization on Loscano Secundus. I see them as, in addition to attacking mutant settlements, ambushing those attacks that are too big for them to deal with alone, harrying the mutants until they can be net with proper force. They would strike fast, then fade into the sand/ash. Another source of inspiration would be the Witch Hunters of Warhammer Fantasy. Do you think maybe the Mutant Hunters would be given some authority,seeing how they have the support of His ANgels, burning those that they deemed as unclean, or to have aided mutants? they may even burn entire settlements. Is this to Redemptionist?

 

Also I see them as being possible couriers for the settlements. They owe no particular settlement affiliation, so they would take contracts from the town governance. I know it has been discussed that there is little communication between settlements, but in times of need they would be used as sort of a pony express.

 

What do you think of the shanty town leaders holding a regular meeting? To discuss any trade agreements, defense, and planned crusades to the Lightside.

 

And another Idea, already discussed with Molotov:

An Alpha level psyker is discovered within one of the settlements, and he reacts violently to the Mutant Hunters claims of abomination. He destroys the settlement, and the Darksiders are unable to stop him/her. The Castigators have to become involved, destroying the witch utterly.

 

 

Just a few ideas that popped up, use them as needed. I hope Ive remembered everything. B)

[Commissar Molotov]

Interesting post. Raises a number of issues. You say "taking what they can from the land", which brings up the issues of livestock and agriculture. I had imagined that the planet was very barren, with little in the way of food. The settlers survived by growing what they could. Then Tiberius asked whether these Mutant Hunters would have mounts of some kind. And it made me curious as to what animals were on this planet. I imagine that they could only have existed if the ship that crashed on Losanco Secundus had animals aboard. And I guess they must've done, but I imagine the majority (if not all) would be in the dark-side settlements.

 

The mutant-hunters having mounts would allow them to cross into the light-side far quicker and attack the mutants, as well as being able to get from settlement to settlement pretty quickly. I don't know about the mutants having any official authority, though. I think they'd be deferred to by some, reviled by others. There's the idea that they're somewhat rough, uncouth. Doing a dangerous job.

 

I can see them as carrying out burnings, perhaps. The idea of the settlement being purged by the Castigators is interesting, actually. It brought to my mind the idea of a Mutant Hunter watching as the Castigators assault a settlement on the horizon. It would be interesting for him having to go to a settlement and tell them what happened - how His Angels came down on tongues of fire to purge the unclean.

 

Mhmm, definite food for thought there.

[ToyShip]

May I suggest that in lieu of the greatly (or soon to be greatly) expanded homeworld section, that you add more to some other parts for the website? We talked about the possibility of an epic-poem describing their founding or other significant event, maybe something on the chapter's relics and a vehicle or two?

 

I know that you have started fluffing out the companies, which is great in my opinion. I think the Castigators hold such a fascination with me because they show the average DIYer like me what can be accomplished if you are passionate about an idea, and the depth that is being added is just amazing to me.

 

Well, theres a couple more cents...

[Ferrus Manus]

@ Cpt. Tiberius that is an amazing drawing! Not only that its how i pictured the Hunters after reading this discussion.

 

Then Tiberius asked whether these Mutant Hunters would have mounts of some kind. And it made me curious as to what animals were on this planet. I imagine that they could only have existed if the ship that crashed on Losanco Secundus had animals aboard. And I guess they must've done, but I imagine the majority (if not all) would be in the dark-side settlements.

 

Not nessecarily. Maybe the planet already had an indignious species of creature that could be used as mounts. They could have certain adaptations which allow them to live on the dark side of the planet. An example could be a Polar Bear type creature, its fur keeps it warm and i could possibly have a sonic scream akin to that of the bat. So it is possible that other live was on the planet before humanity. But its up to you, your article and all that. Just some food for thought.

 

Also, it could be intresting if the mutants had stolen some of these mounts, who in turn are warped in the same way as the mutants. Maybe even centaur type mutants where rider and mount have warped into one? This brings another parallel to the planet. Light-Dark, Pure-Mutant, Hunter-Mutant Horseman. But again just food for thought.

[Commissar Molotov]

• I'm not too keen on the indigenous life idea because I wanted to promote the idea that life shouldn't exist here - and yet, despite all hope, thanks to faith and good old-fashioned Human endurance, it does. I've considered mutated mounts for the mutants, but I'm not sure. Actually, Toyship and I have been discussing developing rules for the mutant hunts - small bands of mutant hunters (who have the edge in weaponry) against larger forces of mutants. We were looking at merging some of the specialist-games rules-sets in order to do it justice, leading to Toyship calling it 'CastiGorkaMunda'. It's not power-armoured, though, so we won't be dealing with it here. If anyone's interested in the process, PM me or something, and I'll include you on the mailing list.
  -
  
• Toyship discussed fluffing out the Companies, and that's something I've been keen to do. As part of that, I've been trying to detail the various Captains of the Companies. First-Captain Escalus, Captains Caphius, Sirius, Timon and Anteas are done, for the most part, though I still have five more Captains I've like to give personalities to. Hopefully you guys can help! I'm also a keen fan of giving them individual and distinctive heraldries - Tiberius and I have talked about drawing the Ten Company banners - the Castigators' Chapter banner, the Crimson Standard, is on display here.
   
  Here's a useful table that'll provide us with a useful summary.
  

 

Heraldry Ideas

NamePositionHeraldryQuintiliusChapter Master---EscalusFirst Company CaptainA Clenched Fist holding a whip that coils around the WristCaphiusSecond Company Captain, Master of the WatchA Twin-Headed Eagle tearing a Snake in HalfSiriusThird Company Captain, Master of the ArsenalA StarburstTimonFourth Company Captain, Master of the FleetThe Blade of Thorns (?)AnteasFifth Company Captain, Master of the MarchesA Shield?RamusSixth Company Captain, Master of the Rites---LucienSeventh Company Captain, Chief Victualler---TigrisEighth Company CaptainA Winged AxeMalusNinth Company Captain---VenatusTenth Company Captain, Master of Recruits---

 

Zealot/Moderate Distribution

NameStanceQuintiliusModerateEscalusCarefully NeutralCaphiusZealotSiriusZealot/ConservativeTimonModerateAnteasModerateRamusTraditionalist/Conservative ZealotLucien?TigrisModerateMalusZealotVenatus?

 

• You might also notice that I'm a little blank on Quintilius. If I had to compare him to any Chapter Master, he seems to remind me of Vladimir Pugh, the Imperial Fists' Master, in that he seems very much a background character, constantly dealing with the various tensions in the Chapter and playing peacemaker with other Imperial organisations. That's a shame, in a sense, as I don't really have a clear image of him.
  -
  
• I am keen to further explore the political tensions within the Chapter between the Moderates and the Zealots. I think that's a key part of my plans to make the Castigators distinctive.
  -
  
• Toyship's also raised the issue of an epic poem, which I want to run by Barret, as he had a similar idea once. If I'm going to do that, I'll need help! I have no idea what such a poem would be about, but I can imagine it being recited at one of the Castigators' fourteen-yearly gatherings. Any suggestions are more than welcome.
  

[ToyShip]

I'm not too keen on the indigenous life idea because I wanted to promote the idea that life shouldn't exist here - and yet, despite all hope, thanks to faith and good old-fashioned Human endurance, it does. I've considered mutated mounts for the mutants, but I'm not sure. Actually, Toyship and I have been discussing developing rules for the mutant hunts - small bands of mutant hunters (who have the edge in weaponry) against larger forces of mutants. We were looking at merging some of the specialist-games rules-sets in order to do it justice, leading to Toyship calling it 'CastiGorkaMunda'. It's not power-armoured, though, so we won't be dealing with it here. If anyone's interested in the process, PM me or something, and I'll include you on the mailing list.

 

i'm quite excited about Castigorkamunda, and I cant wait to start developing it! B)

 

And its nice to see that there already is alot of work done on fluffing out the various companies and captains. I especially like the chart depicting whether the Captains are Zealot, Moderate, or *gasp* Liberal! I sort of see Quintilius as a liberal, seeing that he has to cater to the rest of the chapter AND to outside organisations. Now im not saying hes any Salamander, but i see him as Liberal for a Castigator. If I need to I can expand on that idea for you.

 

The political turmoil within the chapter would be a great touch, something that is explored in the Horus Heresy novels and a bit in Brotherhood of the Snake, and I think more chapters should at least touch on the subject. These arent mindless automatons for Emperor's sake, they have dreams and ambitions, and opinions like any other human, although they are something more.

 

An Epic would be awesome in my opinion, and reciting it every 14 years is a good idea. I believe it should be about the Founding or the Oath of the Vocates, something important like that.

 

Some more change, soon you'll have a dollar! (or pound in your case :huh: )

[Barret]

Toyship's also raised the issue of an epic poem, which I want to run by Barret, as he had a similar idea once. If I'm going to do that, I'll need help! I have no idea what such a poem would be about, but I can imagine it being recited at one of the Castigators' fourteen-yearly gatherings. Any suggestions are more than welcome.

 

I'll help, but only on the condition it's entirely written in limerick. ;)

 

Gimme a shout next time you're on MSN, I'd be happy to help out.

[ToyShip]

wooh! A Castigatorial Limerick! How dirty! How much do YOU Castigate? Lol...wow.....