Predators: Successor Chapter WIP

[RG-Predators]

I've always had some vague idea of a successor chapter with an even more enigmatic origin story, but after taking some serious time to decipher my thoughts I present to you all my chapter. (This is still being worked out so forgive the inconsistencies)

 

Chapter Name: Predators

Founding: Circa 745.M41

Origin Story:

 

With the Raven Guard being constantly suspicious of their brother Legions, they will often intercept/monitor their communications to avoid any possible subterfuge, or another massacre. Often the missions a company will undertake stem from information gleaned through listening to these communications and determining where best to aid or strike a decisive blow for the Imperium. After listening to distress signals about a tyrannical warlord seizing power from the former ruling elite of planet Valos, in the Ultima Segmentum, and hearing no response from the Imperium. A Raven Guard company was dispatched to the neglected planet on the outskirts of the South Eastern Fringe. After the silent campaign was completed, and as the company departed back to Deliverance, they encountered a Hive Fleet Behemoth vanguard. They destroyed the small fleet and decided to instead head for Maccrage to worn of the incursion from the edge of the Galaxy, but became trapped in a warp storm..

 

While trapped, multiple fluxes in time occurred, resulting in a few small Tyranid infestations within the fleet that went unnoticed to grow exponentially. The company was eventually able to eradicate the infestations, but not without losing more than half of the fleet. When they finally exited the Warp, the Battle for Macragge had ended, and they were somehow still within the South Eastern Fringe territory. Understanding that any warning would now be futile, they headed home..

 

After returning and informing the Shadow Master of their encounters, it was determined that the surviving members of the company be consolidated and formed into a new Chapter of veteran/specialist Tyranid hunters. Thus the Predators were established.

 

To better avoid detection when within apprehensive Legionaire territory, for a faster deployment and extraction time, and because of the lack of access to pure gene stock, the fully formed chapter only maintains 6 companies. Nonetheless, the Predators now lurk throughout the Galaxy; exterminating all xeno threats.

 

When I get some time tomorrow, I'll put up some pictures of what I have going so far and my plans for the future.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

The approval of the High Lords of Terra is necessary to found a Space Marine Chapter. (The Sons of Medusa, originally a band of Marines exiled from the Iron Hands and their successor Chapters for taking the wrong side during the Moirae Schism, are the only exception I know of.) Add a line about how the Raven Guard petitioned the High Lords about the need for such anti-xeno specialists- maybe have Inquisitors opine Deathwatch is unable to focus on the Genestealer threat, and is in danger of being overwhelmed- and you should be good to go.

 

You're off to a good start. Keep up the effort.

[duz_]

I dig it! :tu:

 

Now we need pics :D

 

How do you intend to build and expand the force?

 

Be prepared to answer RBs request for tanks ;)

[Kelborn]

Nice name.;)

As an ol' Raven Guard fan, I approve your idea.

Lot of potential. Eager to see your first results. :)

[RG-Predators]

Ok, I've never fully been satisfied with my original paint scheme because of the obvious neon green that's very anit-sneaky, but I just like the contrast too much to not place it somewhere on my models to give them my own personal touch. That being said I've dialed the neon back and have come up with this.

 

 

As you've probably noticed my markings are from the Predators franchise..

One: I think the Predator is the coolest thing ever.

Two: Predators are known as an elite hunting species.

Three: I like the idea of my chapter using a cryptic language and markings to be extra sneaky-beaky.

 

I plan on eventually phasing over to a fully Primaris model army because I like the models better, but I'm still going to run them as regular marines. They will all have the new scheme of course, and for my old models I haven't decided if I want to repaint everyone again. Still, this is what I currently have with my old scheme.

 

 

[RG-Predators]

Here's some more of the older stuff.

 

[RG-Predators]

Here's my most recent model with the new scheme.

 

[RG-Predators]

The approval of the High Lords of Terra is necessary to found a Space Marine Chapter. (The Sons of Medusa, originally a band of Marines exiled from the Iron Hands and their successor Chapters for taking the wrong side during the Moirae Schism, are the only exception I know of.) Add a line about how the Raven Guard petitioned the High Lords about the need for such anti-xeno specialists- maybe have Inquisitors opine Deathwatch is unable to focus on the Genestealer threat, and is in danger of being overwhelmed- and you should be good to go.

 

You're off to a good start. Keep up the effort.

 

Thank you for the input. It will definitely help to legitimize the creation of my chapter!

[thewarriorhunter]

 

The approval of the High Lords of Terra is necessary to found a Space Marine Chapter. (The Sons of Medusa, originally a band of Marines exiled from the Iron Hands and their successor Chapters for taking the wrong side during the Moirae Schism, are the only exception I know of.) Add a line about how the Raven Guard petitioned the High Lords about the need for such anti-xeno specialists- maybe have Inquisitors opine Deathwatch is unable to focus on the Genestealer threat, and is in danger of being overwhelmed- and you should be good to go.

 

You're off to a good start. Keep up the effort.

 

Thank you for the input. It will definitely help to legitimize the creation of my chapter!

 

 

I'll play devil's advocate and say you don't need the approval (notice I'm a little rebellious?). The RG have always been distrustful of others, especially after Gate 42. I think it's very 'raven guardy' to send out their own chapter. Additionally the world of 40k is HUGE. Bjorn has given an example of precedence being set for a founded chapter sans Terra-approval so there's no reason why it couldn't happen again. In this hobby/universe we have so many opportunities to create our own stories.

[Race Bannon]

Whaaaaaat?!

 

I'm currently on my phone and need more time to absorb this awesomeness. And maybe use my PC.

[RG-Predators]

I dig it! :tu:

 

Now we need pics :D

 

How do you intend to build and expand the force?

 

Be prepared to answer RBs request for tanks ;)

[RG-Predators]

Ideally I would like to build, paint, and personalize a full 6 Company Chapter. Create a full background for each squad and some individual models.

 

Realistically I’m going to create at least the full 1st and 2nd Company’s. Doing my best to personalize each model in some way.

 

My Companies are divergent from the Codex in that there are only 6, but also, there are 12 squads in each Company (its my favorite number).

 

1st: Veterans

2nd Battle Ready

3rd Battle Reserve

4th Combat Reserve

5th Fire Support Reserve

6th Scouts

[Xenith]

Good start, and like the scheme.

 

I will say that the calm/chaos effect of the shadow in the warp essentially prohibits warp travel - that's why when a hive fleet nears a world it's often too late for defenders to either send a message for help or escape.

 

Pockets of genestealer infestations in their crew and supply ships might be likely, or a Devastation of Baal scenario, where a lictor attaches to the ship before it arrives at the homeworld, then the lictor summons the swarm. 

 

In fact, with the chapter name, and hunting traits, maybe they have a grudging respect for the alien Lictor that can hide so completely? Or fashion camo cloaks from Lictor skin?

[Lord_Caerolion]

Sure, the bright green might not be the most stealthy thing ever, but the Raven Guard love giving guys entirely white arms, and that's not exactly a sneaky colour either. Just rationalise it as the Marines having limited cameleoline fields integrated into their armour, which dulls the appearance of the object into a much more muted look.

[RG-Predators]

Good start, and like the scheme.

 

I will say that the calm/chaos effect of the shadow in the warp essentially prohibits warp travel - that's why when a hive fleet nears a world it's often too late for defenders to either send a message for help or escape.

 

Pockets of genestealer infestations in their crew and supply ships might be likely, or a Devastation of Baal scenario, where a lictor attaches to the ship before it arrives at the homeworld, then the lictor summons the swarm. 

 

In fact, with the chapter name, and hunting traits, maybe they have a grudging respect for the alien Lictor that can hide so completely? Or fashion camo cloaks from Lictor skin?

I knew there was something that the Tyranids were capable of doing to the warp, but I couldn't remember it when I put the story together so I omitted it. That's a great piece to add. Thanks.

 

I already have a few sergeants with nice full-grain Tyranid leather gun holsters Also some of my Assault troops like to utilize reinforced chitin bones as spare close combat weapons.

[thewarriorhunter]

The fact that you're incorporating xenos elements into what you chapter uses is very deathwatch-y, even more reason to keep them secret from Tera IMO. It's usually frowned upon and deemed heretical for a soldier of the imperium to incorporate xenos elements into their war gear.

[RG-Predators]

The fact that you're incorporating xenos elements into what you chapter uses is very deathwatch-y, even more reason to keep them secret from Tera IMO. It's usually frowned upon and deemed heretical for a soldier of the imperium to incorporate xenos elements into their war gear.

 

Good point. Secret Raven Guard Deathwatch-y Chapter it is then. Also provides another explanation for only having 6 Companies: less detectable than a full Chapter and easier to explain where 600ish marines disappeared to.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Secret Raven Guard Deathwatch-y Chapter it is then. Also provides another explanation for only having 6 Companies: less detectable than a full Chapter and easier to explain where 600ish marines disappeared to.

The Black Templars have gotten away with having an oversized Chapter, by exploiting a loophole in the Codex Astartes, which allowed crusading Chapters to recruit above Codex limits in anticipation for expected casualties. The Exorcists are legally allowed to have two extra Scout Companies, due to their recruiting practices killing more Scouts than usual.

They intentionally have Daemons possess their own Scouts, and expect the latter to expel the Daemons through sheer force of will, becoming immune to Daemonic influence afterwards. Understandably, many die instead.

"Higher than usual casualties among recruits" is probably the excuse the Space Wolves give for why they have 12 Companies, instead of the Codex-mandated ten.

 

In short, your Raven Guard should have legal means with which to justify having an extra 600 Marines (your Predators), and thus, no need to keep the Predators' existence a secret from other loyal and competent Imperial forces- no need to go "Astral Claws" on the Administratum and the Inquisition, which will justifiably make the rest of the Imperium burn your Marines to ashes, before setting the ashes on fire.

[duz_]

Just got a chance to look at the pics on my desktop

Really dig those conversions!

You need to do some solo shots of those guys to do them some justice and not just in pictures for ants! :D 

[RG-Predators]

Just got a chance to look at the pics on my desktop

Really dig those conversions!

 

You need to do some solo shots of those guys to do them some justice and not just in pictures for ants!

 

Believe me I know.. I need to take some time to put together a photo booth.

[duz_]

I like the foldio systems I have a 1, but a 2 or 3 might be on the horizon ...

 

http://us.orangemonkie.com/

[Lord_Caerolion]

There are plenty of Chapters out there that have lost all info on their founding, whether deliberate or merely due to the ravages of time. The Raven Guard could explain away the abnormalities as "well, they were definitely official. Not our fault you can't keep track of your books. Want to disagree?" With the reputation of the Raven Guard, there are probably many high-ranking Astra Militarum officials that owe their lives to their intervention, and be willing to help exert diplomatic pressure to help the Raven Guard get their way. Do the High Lords/Inquisition really want to get in a fight with a highly influential First-Founding Chapter? Over the mysterious appearance of a second Chapter that doesn't exhibit particularly close ties to the Raven Guard, preventing claims of Legion-building?

 

Maybe there's even a few Ordo Xenos Inquisitors that have been willing to help tinker with the official records, in exchange for being able to call on support independent of the Deathwatch, or perhaps in exchange for stronger commitments to aiding the Deathwatch. The Imperium is a big, big place, and the Administratum operates so slowly and so inefficiently, that by the time anybody that cares finds out what has happened it's too late to really do anything.

 

As for the structure of the Chapter, that's not really an issue. The Salamanders have 7 (or 9, depending on who's writing...) Companies, the Sons of Medusa have 3 War Clans (split into 3 Companies each). Weird organization isn't exactly against the Codex, and again, if your Chapter is going to be "under strength" compared to a Codex Chapter, around 720 Marines or so, including Scouts. Who among the Inquisition is going to care that a Chapter is purposefully under strength?

 

People tend to forget that the Codex Astartes isn't hard rules. It gives a "recommended way" to organize the Chapter, 10 Companies of 10 squads of 10 men, alongside the command organization, but that can be modified and changed as required. The only real rule in there is that a Chapter is no more than 1000 Astartes (but again, even that's a little open to interpretation when you take the Chapter Command into account). The only Chapters that really ignore that are the Space Wolves (who ever since Guilliman first tried, have kinda just growled at the Imperium every time they've tried, and now are just left to do their own thing, so long as it isn't outright heretical), the Black Templars ("well, our records don't show anything out of the ordinary. We're so spread out throughout the galaxy, in so many different Crusade fleets, are you sure you counted right? Want to try counting again?"). Lastly, there's the Exorcists, and that's because they're an Inquisitorial pet project, so have leeway due to that. 

[Race Bannon]

Just got a chance to look at the pics on my desktop

Really dig those conversions!

 

You need to do some solo shots of those guys to do them some justice and not just in pictures for ants!

 

INORITE?!

 

My favorite, from what I can tell, is the dude with the knife about to strike.  The use of the left arm for the ML for dynamic posing is well done.

[longjohnsilver]

The bright green really works against the black.

 

Really great looking units; can't wait to see what you do with Primaris. You have a Thunderfire cannon; I'm so jealous..

 

It would be fun busting out quotes from the movies in friendly games.. ;)

 

No reason why a Predator style alien can't exist in 40k, unrelated to 'nids. They could be quite well hidden or live on their ships. In fact I have 4 not-Predator aliens with big guns, made by Foundry. Once played a special game VS a guard army where I had to kill them all before they got to a building and my aliens could teleport around the board with these waypoint markers. It was really fun.

[RandyB]

The bright green really works against the black.

 

Really great looking units; can't wait to see what you do with Primaris. You have a Thunderfire cannon; I'm so jealous..

 

It would be fun busting out quotes from the movies in friendly games.. ;)

 

No reason why a Predator style alien can't exist in 40k, unrelated to 'nids. They could be quite well hidden or live on their ships. In fact I have 4 not-Predator aliens with big guns, made by Foundry. Once played a special game VS a guard army where I had to kill them all before they got to a building and my aliens could teleport around the board with these waypoint markers. It was really fun.

What would be a good datasheet to counts-as for Predators?