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[KBA]

 

TEMPER THY WRATH

 

The Omega Hounds Space Marines Chapter

 

“Build me a son, Belisarius, who will be strong enough to exorcise temptation, and brave enough to know no fear; one who will be ceaseless and unending in bloodshed, and loyal and subservient unto death.” 

 

—Robute Guilliman

 

 

 

 

The Omega Hounds are known for their rageful spite toward their enemies and their alarmingly brutal methods unto with which they persecute them. Guided by their vigilant and ruling Chaplaincy, the Chapter, however, remains disciplined— their slaughter-lust quelled and reforged into the fury of the Emperor made manifest. These inherent traits have raised curiosity within the Imperium ranging from speculation to suspicion.

 

Intercessor Squad Atlas, 2nd Company

 

 

 

“Fear is power, Konrad. Apply it where Roboute has failed.”

 

—Warmaster Horus

 

 

Brother Domos, Intercessor Squad Atlas

T

he first pages of the Omega Hounds’ contentious legacy were written many millennia ago, on a seemingly insignificant feudal-class world cradled in the vast darkness of the Exilis Ostium. Amidst the fabled Great Crusade, this planet, Adlan IX, would first be brought into compliance by the noble Ultramarines Legion. Unfortunately, Imperial reign collapsed after less than a decade— anomalous for a planet newly liberated by the sons of Guilliman. Deciding the dogmatic and superstitious Adlanian techno-tribes of Old Night required more brutal methods of pacification, the Warmaster ordered the ruthless VIII Legion retake the planet.

 

Records indicate the Night Lords’ strike force was comprised of mainly Nostraman legionaries; legionaries who would later become infamous for their pre-Astartes sins. Before they could achieve a second Compliance though, the strike force was redeployed to reinforce the Isstvan System. The following Horus Heresy had engulfed the galaxy. Adlan IX would be forgotten in the fires of civil war, recast into a second darkness that would last millennia, the passage of time churning violent tides of superstition and fear not seen since the Age of Strife. 

 

The Emperor’s light, however, would find its way back to the planet. As the galaxy was torn asunder at the end of the 41st millennium and the Great Rift threatened to extinguish the Imperium forever, the 27th Battlegroup of the Indomitus Crusade’s Primus Fleet reached the Exilis Ostium. The forces of the Imperium instantly became a bulwark against demon, xenos, and traitor alike, liberating planet after planet. As the forces of the Battlegroup spread throughout the sub-sector, unsettling reports began to surface of Rogue Trader Lord Khodessa’s 4^th War Flotilla making contact with what had once been Adlan IX.

 

Lord Khodessa had discovered Adlan IX’s entire native populace had long since fractured into violent feral tribes that would engage in warfare and culling concurring with the apex of its lunar cycle. Imperial Scholars would later attribute this phenomena to the probability of the VIII Legion’s invasion coinciding with a ‘full moon’. The Night Lords’ way of murder appeared to have ingrained irrevocable psychosis upon the tribes, slowly birthing an association to the lunar event with slaughter and wanton violence. The Rogue Trader, staunch capitalist as he was, saw the harsh planet’s potential as prime recruitment grounds for the Astra Militarum or otherwise. According to remarks in the sixth volume of his autobiography, Candid Encounters: A Journey Beyond Darkness the self-appointed historian claimed “Adlan IX is not an emerald of the Imperium for its prestigious carbon resources, but rather a ruby for the blood it will spill in the name of the Emperor.” 

 

Unfortunately, Lord Khodessa’s vision of the planet submitting any recruitment tithes for the Imperium failed to materialize. Fleet data imply the 4^th War Flotilla lost all contact with its Battlegroup shortly after entering the Adlan System. The now resurrected Roboute Guilliman, forever the empire-builder, never failed to recall a planet he had been tasked to bring into compliance. Once word from the 27th Battlegroup had reached, him he immediately ordered an Adeptus Astartes chapter under the Ultima Founding take Adlan IX as its home world to ensure the continued stability of the sub-sector. 

 

They would become known as the Omega Hounds.

 

 

 

“The future of Adlan’s forests are predicated on the same principle that will define ours. Balance. For while the flames of the inferno are necessary for growth, they must also submit to exhaustion lest this world burn entirely.”

 

—Death Speaker Khortoch

 

 

The Birth of Hate

 

‘The Death Hounds’

The prevalence of the Chaplaincy in the Executioners eventually took root within the organizational structure of the Omega Hounds, though with some distinction. Whereas Chaplains, or Death Speakers as the Executioners referred to them, would recount the tallies of their honoured fallen, the Chaplains of the Omega Hounds, or the Death Hounds, as they came to be informally titled, recounted tallies of their defeated foes, continually herding their memory into shame and defeat. Khortoch would later cautiously remark, ‘Slaughter isn’t enough for these Hounds. They give chase past the grave.’

A

s their strike cruisers barrelled through the broken debris of the destroyed War Flotilla in orbit above Adlan IX, the Primaris Astartes Awoken were catalogued by the Priests of Mars having several instances of uncontrollable bouts of violence requiring sedation while first being armoured by Adepts. The risen Astartes immediately set to retaking Adlan IX only to find the planet void of any fortification or enemy installation. Oddly, whatever force had obliterated the 4^th War Flotilla had never settled the world for any meaningful amount of time. In accordance with the order of Lord Guilliman, these Primaris Astartes would be the first Omega Hounds, founding a new Ultima Chapter upon the planet.

 

While it was immediately clear that the Omega Hounds contained raw savagery beyond Cawl’s psycho-indoctrination, the Chapter still required tutelage of a more seasoned brand of brutality. Having earned many honours during the completion of its one hundred year pennant crusade in the Orpheus Sector, and for its generally strict adherence to the tenets of the previous Codex Astartes, the Executioners Chapter was selected to send a cadre of veterans to sire the young Hounds. Chief among the Executioner cadre was Death Speaker Khortoch, a Chaplain of particularly grim renown. He quickly garnered the Hounds’ respect for his intolerance of defeated enemies being given any clemency. Although Khortoch appreciated the Chapter’s eagerness for bloodshed, he sought to cautiously harness their ingrained ruthlessness, rather than let it run rampant.

 

Looking to induct the next generation of aspirants, the Omega Hounds turned to Adlan IX’s verdant forests. As the Chapter’s Apothecarion listened to the violent screams cutting through the moonlit night, fate would seemingly grant Rogue Trader Lord Khodessa’s wish of Adlanian recruitment finally fulfilled. Mostly ignored during the initial construction stages of the Omega Hounds’ fortress monastery, Noster Castrum, the tribes of Adlan IX were now looked upon to tribute their youth to the service of the Imperium. The Hounds considered the instability of the warring tribes and prepared for heavy tithe submission resistance. An envoy led by Khortoch discovered just the opposite. 

 

At the sight of the pale artisan-crafted features of his death mask, the Adlanian tribe threw their eyes to the ground and promptly offered every last male youth to the envoy. Khortoch remained displeased— and not at the willingness of the tribe to surrender their offspring. The Death Speaker had been thoroughly briefed on Adlan IX’s pre-heresy history. The traitorous VIII Legion, infamous for their skull helms akin to his own, appeared to have found a recruitment source from their ancient, psychotic pacification of the Adlanians.  With conclusions drawn and vows sworn, a fierce hatred was born that night toward the remnant bands of the Night Lords.

 

 

The Death of A Patriarch

 

Brother Atreus, Intercessor Squad Atlas

T

he Omega Hounds’ first encounter with the renegade Astartes which had destroyed the 4^th War Flotilla occurred nearly a decade after the Chapter’s settlement of the planet. Raiding parties intent on retrieving the youth of Adlan IX had returned to harvest their crop. Though the Chapter was largely successful repelling these raids, the traitors’ return would go unnoticed for years, not upon the surface of Adlan IX, but rather its battle-scarred moon, Admostos. 

 

With the Imperium now beginning to hold the Exilis Ostium against the violent tide of the Great Rift, the newly established Officio Logisticarum attempted to seize the brief reprieve in unending conflict. Originally, Adlan IX had been scheduled for Hub-Fortress designation, however, the sheer breadth of the Cicatrix Maledictum shrunk the grand plans of Guilliman’s Hand down to simply restructuring Admostos into an orbital defence platform as the Indomitus Crusade heaved forward. The first fortification phase would be the subterranean reinforcement of the tiny moon’s fractured crust. Miners, labourers, and slaves of the Exilis Ostium were hurriedly press-ganged in the millions to help the Adeptus Mechanicus expedite the undertaking. Capitalizing on the haste of the construction, however, agents of the VIII Legion would ultimately poison the fruits of this titanic labor.

 

Coinciding with the launch of several crippling strikes against the Omega Hounds, the Night Lords signalled their saboteurs. Detonations below the surface of Admostos began to rip apart the moon’s mantle, its exposed hot core lighting up the night sky on Adlan IX. While the traitors had instantly stripped an Adeptus Astartes Homeworld of all utility of its satellite, the lasting consequence of the sabotage would be far more dire. 

 

Possessed by ferocity and hate unfathomable, the Hounds’ fleet chased the renegades into a rift in the warp. First upon entry, the Chapter’s lead strike cruiser’s Gellar Field suddenly collapsed. Experts among these space-time anomalies, the traitors had successfully goaded the Hounds. The fragments of the final vox transmission Noster Castrum would receive featured Khortoch’s final breath ordering the rest of the fleet to retreat followed by haunting vox static containing the following transcription; “False sons of a false god, you claim no right to the Sons of Nostramo. We sentence you to madness eternal. Ave Dominus Nox.”

 

 

A Chapter Reborn

 

 

T

he enemy, it seemed, had won. They had decapitated the Hounds’ leadership and worse still, they had destabilized the Chapter’s only secure recruitment stock in a traitor-laden sub-sector. The global bloodshed of Adlan IX’s tribes —that of which had been previously stymied by relatively lengthy lunar cycles— had devolved into common occurrence as the intensely superstitious population mistook Admostos’ burning core for a brilliant full moon, night after night. In addition to a plummeting recruitment rate, successfully transformed neophytes were noted by the Apothecarion as having their innate rage compounded tenfold compared to that of prior intake. 

 

Overly zealous with a taste for complete destruction, the Chapter was nearly bled dry by the battles that would follow to stabilize the sub-sector. So fervent was this heightened slaughter lust that Invicta Warsuit pilots volunteered entombment into Redemptor Dreadnoughts so they could administer the Emperor’s wrath on a greater scale. The frontal assaults featured utterly primal bloodshed, these new Hounds paying little care for self preservation. The Chapter, it seemed, was destined to succumb to the destiny the Night Lords had vowed.

 

The remaining veterans of the Chapter stubbornly refused such a fate— Roboute Guilliman, their Master of War, had tasked them with not only holding Adlan IX true to the glory of the Imperium, but also conquest of its sub-sector and the stars beyond. They believed in order to fully persecute the enemies of Humanity, the Omega Hounds would need to ground their insatiable and bellicose desire to butcher the enemy, lest they become that which they fight. To that end, no Hound would take the mantle of Chapter Master henceforth. In the position’s stead, the Reclusiam was reformed into the Council of Khortoch. In honour of Khortoch’s original vision, the Hounds would attempt to temper their wrath.

 

‘The Howl of The Hounds’

The Chapter recruiting from a feral population of which its perpetual full moon incites insatiable violence has often gained them stereotype as feral warriors, imagined to howl at fully illuminated satellites in war zones across the stars, akin to the sons of Russ. The Hounds mock these misconceptions without regard. The psycho-indoctrination of their induction, coupled with the intense discipline of their Chaplains have resulted in their only howl being that of their bolt rifles.

The Council’s first edict saw the Captains within each company admitted to the priesthood of Chaplaincy. They proclaimed that through the mastery of dogmatic teachings, tenets, and catechisms each Captain would steer their Company toward a more stable and anchored manner of slaughter. With these warrior-priests in place, their liturgies remoulding the Chapter and quelling its foam at the maw, the Omega Hounds evolved into a disciplined combat force. Frenzied assaults matured into stoic advances. The Right of Axe, vicious melee doctrines instilled among the Hounds by Khortoch’s Executioners, were superseded by disciplined bolt rifle drills. 

 

The Hounds patiently remain ready in their defence of the Exilis Ostium sub-sector, yet eagerly await Lord Guilliman’s order to take to the stars in glorious slaughter of all the horrors which thirst to see Humanity extinguished from them.

 

 

+++ Accessing Noosphere 

++++ ID Accepted

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The Omega Hounds Panoply of War

++++++ Heraldic Summation:

 

The Omega Hounds’ primary iconography features a snarling beast reminiscent of the Canis species of ancient Terra under a letter from a similarly primitive alphabet believed to, when combined, represent the Chapter’s nomenclature. Imperial archivists suggest the imagery of the red hound under the black omega symbolizes the Chapter’s internal ferocity corralled by the black office of their Chaplaincy. Thus, the veterans of the Hounds are granted a white omega, their experience beginning to lord over their bloodlust more so than the Chaplaincy. As veterans obtain the rank of Lieutenant, the flames of ferocity have become smouldering black coals of hate. Upon elevation to Captaincy, and their subsequent induction into the priesthood of the chaplains, black has now overtaken their insignia, believed to represent their mastery of rage— the death-face of their helms granted the crimson they sow in the name of the Emperor.

 

 

 

“Though truth revealed itself beyond our night, it is in fact illusion which gave us might.”

 

—Anon., popular proverb among Adlanian Omega Hounds

 

 

L

ocated in the Segmentum Obscurus, Adlan IX was made priority for Compliance during the Great Crusade due to its strategic location between two neighbouring Knight Worlds yet to be conquered. After the Heresy, both Knight Worlds had been destroyed and Adlan IX’s strategic value significantly dwindled, leaving it little more than a footnote in history tomes. The Great Rift cutting the the galaxy in half, however, once again put the planet back into prominence as Adlan IX sat on the very edge of the Imperium Sanctus— one of few worlds in the sub-sector to cradle Humanity for light years of space. Scholars estimate this would have made Adlan IX a prime candidate for complete Fortress World consideration, but the massive hemorrhage of Empyrean from the Cicatrix Maledictum across the galaxy had spread Imperial resources so thin that this was a logistical impossibility. The compromise —fuelled by Guilliman’s understated pride, some would whisper— saw the foundation of a mostly isolated Primaris Astartes chapter expected to largely sustain its own war effort.

 

While the Indomitus Crusade was ignited to reinforce the light of the lost candles of Humanity amidst the darkening void, some warn Adlan IX should have been left to have its wick and wax exhausted. The deranged native populace of the planet remains, intendedly, oblivious to their perilous existence. The Omega Hounds keep their charge of humanity in a continual state of ignorance, bound to the unending madness that haunt it with every false perception of Admostos’ exposed core as a full moon. The ancient tenant, Endurance of the Strongest prevails on Adlan IX, ensuring the Chapter’s recruitment tithes are of hardy, albeit psychotic, stock. Still, the Council of Khortoch keeps rigorous screening protocols in place to prevent heathen Adlanians beyond redemption from admission into their ranks.

 

‘The Witches of Adlan’

While the Night Lords’ mistrust of psykers has all but eroded the latent powers in the male genome of Adlanians through genocidal culling, the female genome has been unwittingly left to blossom with the power of the Immaterium. These women would become clandestine prophetic matriarchs of their tribes, concealing their abilities to the Death Chieftains for fear of death, or worse, incursions of the Great Beasts. Using their powers to peel back the veil of the future, their people evaded capture from the Tribes of Night. As Adlanian recruitment began in earnest, these Ma’tradah were slowly identified by the Librarium and integrated into it as a council of seers, of sorts, frequently consulted by the Chapter.

There exists much debate in scholarly circles of just how long the Adlanians had been periodical recruitment prey to the renegade Astartes war host. Some theorization suggest this practice to be mere centuries old while oral history of the tribes of Adlan implies a far older relation. Yet for a broken people largely used as a heretic Astartes recruitment source for untold centuries, the Adlanians are surprisingly genetically stable. The militaristic tendencies and structure of the remnant band of Night Lords, traitors infamous for their contempt of the Ruinous Powers, evidently saw the value in keeping their recruitment stock free from the taint of Arch Enemy. 

 

Even so, the traitors have had a nominal degree of influence. Most male Adlanian children dream of being absconded to the stars by their Death Chieftains, joining the Tribes of Night for slaughter eternal. The Council of Khortoch begrudgingly accepts this established culture and the grim parallels it suggests between the Omega Hounds and the Night Lords.

 

Critics have often associated the Omega Hounds’ bouts of rage with the psychotic tendencies of the Adlanians, and scoff at stubbornness of the Chapter’s refusal to recruit off-world. The Hounds dismiss such pondering as that of spoiled cretins. The Chapter lacks the luxury of choice and survives with what reality offers: clean Adlanian genetic stock in the face of a sub-sector that has proved to be unclean with traitors.

 

 

 

“What does it ultimately matter? Do you hold your combi-tool to such scrutiny? What fires and from which Forge tempered it? What archive and from whose genius created it?  Do not abandon your logic, Adept.”

 

—Magos V’talus

 

 

‘The Last Hounds’

Interestingly, some genetoria-logi claim that the awoken Hounds were comprised of Terran Legiones Astartes aspirants of the 31st millennium hailing from the ancient Xeric tribes of the Asiatic Dustfields, notable recruitment grounds of the pre-Primarch XIX Legion. The inducted Xeric legionaries, which had populated much of the early XIX Legion, had been known to be merciless and cruel to a fault.

This rumour was birthed when the newly renamed Raven Guard Legion began Deliverance recruitment which inadvertently overlapped that of the Terran Xerics. In regards to the fate of the thousand-strong surplus Xeric aspirants, the genetoria-logi uncovered a reply in the form of a terse order bearing Corvus Corax’ signet to have the entire recruitment stock sentenced to Servitude Imperpituis. Preferring to begin recruitment from his home world, the Raven Lord refused the Xeric aspirants with ire. ‘Forever leash the last of those rabid dogs, part of the message would read. 

Curiously, the shipment of stasis-locked Xerics, now bearing the ident The Last Hounds, appeared to have been rerouted from scheduled servitor repurposing.

T

he gene stock of the Omega Hounds is archived to be of XIII Legion origin. However, recent inquiries submitted to the Adeptus Mechanicus left unanswered regarding the gene-seed of the Chapter have cast this belief in some doubt. 

 

Some speculation firmly suggests they are of VII Legion stock, noting their stern and often bullheaded disposition matching that of the Dorn descendants of the Executioner cadre which initially trained the Omega Hounds’ Awoken. Outlandish and heretical theories whisper a particularly savage progenitor, drawing superficial parallels to the XII Legion’s penchant for bellicose brutality. Their infamy of incensed slaughter also garners theories linking the Chapter to the VI and IX Legions, though such musings remain in serious doubt due to the Chapter’s gene-seed free from both the genetic manifestations of the Space Wolves as well as the rumoured flaws which are said to afflict the Blood Angels.

 

What remains without question is the purity of the Omega Hounds’ geneseed. Still, their often-cited crazed manner of war has put their geneseed tithes under extreme scrutiny. To the Priests of Mars however, logic rules over frantic hearsay, and tithe examination after tithe examination has resulted in satisfactory conclusions. The ensuing frustration of the Adeptus Mechanicus over the continuing rampant rumination and following queries regarding the Omega Hounds, some scholars say, is what has vexed them into spiteful silence regarding the Chapter— ironically fuelling further speculation. 

 

+++++++idrequired

+++++++[redacted]idaccepted

+++++++dataselected: omegahounds 5th surge: zitann breach:

 

+++++++analyzationcomplete: rendering:

 

5th Surge, Zitann Breach

 

+++++++A: stylized helm common among adlan ix intake stock

+++++++B: [REDACTED]

+++++++C: modified mk x warplate 

+++++++D: ‘scions of the executioners’ honour-won vambrace

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I saw him once. The Warmaster. Clad not in ebony, but rather the hues of a malevolent ocean. Instead of any claw or mace, he brandished a sword aflame with the power of gods. The stars would be showered in blood once more. The Indomitus Crusade had begun.”

 

—Excerpt from Chaplain Orthus’ 3^rd sermon of Primarch Roboute Guilliman

 

 

R

egardless of the rumours circling the origin of their gene-seed, the Omega Hounds stand firm in the belief that Roboute Guilliman is their progenitor and venerate him as such. To them, he is their Master of War, granting authority to destroy all threats to Humanity. In contrast to fellow Firstborn XIII Legion successors, and subsequently the center of many strained relationships with such chapters, the Hounds focus mostly on Guilliman’s recent miraculous resurrection and his ensuing call of slaughter via the Indomitus Crusade defining his character rather than his deeds during the Great Crusade and the aftermath of the Horus Heresy. He is their warlord without compare, unleashing the Primaris Astartes upon Humanity’s enemies first, and author of the Codex Astartes and empire-builder a distant second.

Rituals of The Omega Hounds

Rituals of intense discipline are scattered throughout the ranks of the Omega Hounds. At the culmination of each Captain’s induction into the Chaplaincy exists a ritual believed to entirely cleanse the commander of any urge of uncontrollable rage. This involves the use of the infamous Pain Glove. Speculation leads belief that the device was likely introduced by the VII Legion successor in Death Speaker Khortoch, though other sources claim its inclusion in rituals was mandated by the Ecclesiarchy. As chapter artisans intricately reforge their helm into the death face synonymous with their new office, the Captain must endure the electrofibre mesh of the Pain Glove enveloping his body, his stimulated nerves admistering the most agonizing pain his post-human body can experience as his soul is purged.

 

The Council of Khortoch has woven much of Guilliman’s most recent exploits into their catechisms, eschewing all but the scantest of details of his history prior to the founding of the Omega Hounds. The dissemination of this knowledge unto the chapter has left many Hounds with a disturbingly narrow view of the Primarch. Nonetheless, the Captains and Death Hounds utilize many doctrines of his Codex Astartes as methods of grounding those with insatiable bloodlust. In fact, the memorization of entire tactical treatises are oftentimes used as forms of penance in minor offences of conduct. 

 

Despite the ruling Chaplaincy and their teachings, a healthy minority of the Astartes assigned to the ranks of the Assault Intercessors tend to hold significant resentment to any form of tether to their perceived limitless bloodshed. Indeed, they believe their massacres birth rite rather than blemish. The most vocal of these dissenters quickly find their fate in the hands of the Chapter’s Judicars— a grim reminder that these tempting beliefs must be thwarted at all costs. 

 

Though the reverence of Roboute Guilliman may appear absolute, the Hounds lack a defined chapter cult, instead fully worshipping the God-Emperor. This degree of piety is not without precedent. The systemic integration and expansion of the Omega Hounds’ Chaplaincy has required the Chapter to maintain strong relations with the Ecclesiarchy. The Council of Khortoch sacrificed a considerable portion of Astartes autonomy in exchange for their Cardinals legitimizing their numerous Chaplains with blessed Rosarii. Several accusations from other branches of Imperial military might have labelled the Omega Hounds as nothing more than unsanctioned attack dogs of the Holy Synod. It is not uncommon to see entire companies of Hounds seconded to holy crusades in the Exilis Ostium sub-sector.

Seargent Brother Brayok, Brother Neptine, Assualt Intercessor Squad Brayok, 4th Company

 

 

 

 

 

“The Council of Khortoch? Simply a leash, a muzzle. Loyal are the Hounds of Adlan for they call Lord Guilliman master. It is this undying obedience that stays my hand.”

 

—Inquisitor von Flaskk, Ordo Astartes

 

 

Inquisitor von Flaskk

The eye of the Inquisition is ever lidless and the vast Ultima Founding has required all of the Ordo Astartes’ resources to ensure these new chapters maintain the standards and purity of their Firstborn predecessors. Rumour of Primaris Astartes committing massacres of near-heretical heights in the Exilis Ostium sub-sector drew the attention of Inquisitor von Flaskk. The Inquisitor accompanied the Omega Hounds on their crusade against the Zitann Empire, gene-enhanced zealots of Khorne. Unyielding against the murderous tides, he was astonished to see the Hounds matching the zealots’ fervour— oftentimes exceeding it, yet responding to the bellowing hordes with endless catechisms of hate, kept in check by their shepherding chaplains. The Chapter would nonetheless earn several Inquisitorial Mandates. Despite this, von Flaskk’s final report reflected a chapter very much worthy of the aquila upon its breast.

W

hile the Omega Hounds maintain largely compliant to the Codex Astartes, their strict reform into the disciplined Chapter they are today has also had overarching effects on rank progression. Neophytes first receive Reserve Intercessor designation as they hone their proficiency of ranged combat. The most gifted marksmen among these are promoted to Eliminator Selection of the Vanguard Company. Those chosen would progress through the ranks of Infiltrator, Incursor, and lastly, Eliminator. The Hounds are well-suited to keeping an attentive vigil on their enemy from the shadows, ready to engage at the whistle of a vox order. The Chapter even places these silent killers in long-term reconnaissance upon previously conquered worlds, watchful Hounds maintaining obedience among their submitted foes.

 

Omega Hounds in the Batteline Reserves displaying innately elevated levels of rage are earmarked for assignment to the ranks of the Assualt Intercessors. There, they are largely free to indulge their instinctual massacres, the worst of these Hounds receiving the Emperor’s Mercy through Absolver-fired bolts amidst the battlefield, or, in more formal settings, via the Judicar’s executioner blade in the hallowed halls of Noster Castrum amongst their gathered brethren. In fact, the Chapter deploys significantly more Judicars alongside these units than other chapters. While to outside observers, the addition of these warrior-priest executioners would seem typical for the Omega Hounds, it is actually due to Inquisitorial Mandate of Inquisitor von Flaskk of the Ordo Astartes.

 

Their most prominent deviation from the Codex Astartes, however, exists in the Omega Hounds’ leadership structure. The Council of Khortoch and the inclusion of Captains in the Chaplaincy results in far more Chaplains and Judicars shepherding their Astartes than other chapters. This deviance is something not taken lightly by the Hounds, and certainly appears to be viewed as a necessary device to reign in their perceived flaws rather than any tradition they are proud of.

 

Because the Chapter recruits from a population whose male genome is completely free of the psychic mutation, the Omega Hounds maintain a Librarium whose function is slowly eroding. Without any replenish, attrition of war has caused the original psychically-gifted Awoken to dwindle drastically in number since the Hounds’ founding. Those that have survived face scrutiny and judgement from the growing percentage of Primaris Astartes who draw their heritage from Adlan IX. These Adlanians cling to the superstitions of their tribes, holding the view that the sacred powers of the  Ma’tradah, the Witches of Adlan, cannot be wielded by the mettle of men. The remaining Librarians solemnly choose an extinction the Chapter’s future will undoubtedly bring over any potential schism their striving to survive could cause, and have integrated the Ma’tradah into the Librarium to ensure the Omega Hounds’ repository of wisdom and history will survive beyond them.

 

 

“Adlan raised us. Cawl ascended us. But Khortoch liberated us.”

 

—Intercessor Sergeant Brother Atlas

 

 

Captain Chaplain Actaeon, 2nd Company

C

ommanders of the Imperium that come to share the battlefield with the Omega Hounds are often surprised to see an extremely disciplined force specializing in ranged firefights. The Council of Khortoch has redirected the Chapter’s emphasis from self-destructive close combat massacres to restrained distanced slaughter. The famed armor columns of Gladiators employed by the Hounds are often seen supporting Intercessors, Heavy Intercessors, Eradicators, and Hellblasters. When necessary, however, the Chaplains are quick to remind the Imperium of the Chapter’s teeth, unleashing Assualt Intercessors in waves of roaring chain swords and unhinged fury.

 

Special attention is given to sections of the Codex Astartes that deal with tactics related to the complete subjugation of the enemy. Cruelty and hate are taught to be constant thunder reigning over the conquered; their total execution stayed until deemed necessary. Eliminator Operators have been known to silently recite these tenants as they remain prone; disciplined for weeks on end in their vigils over newly established Imperial Governments.

 

The Right of Axe, while marginalized from its former prominence, remains potent among the First Company. Those of compliant tempers and great prowess within the Assault Intercessors endure long enough to be tutored in the Right of Axe by the veterans of the Hounds. Blade Guard Veterans of the Chapter are renowned for their disciplined ferocity, the lethality of the Executioners’ on full display, released through gore spatters as they steadily strike a careful balance between finesse and fury. This rank has sired several Captains over the centuries as the Chaplaincy bear witness to these Astartes showcasing mastery of their temptations of slaughter in their gruesome deployments. 

 

Intercessor Veterans also represent a strong portion of the First Company— many Hounds view the mastery of the bolt rifle as the pinnacle of Astartes warfare as well as a clear sign that they have conquered their inherent savagery. Bolter drills are never abandoned as the Hounds rise through rank. This perfection of skill is reflected no matter the theatre of war: in the open battlefields upon Xenos worlds to the claustrophobic quarters of haunted hulks, the bolts of the Omega Hounds chasing down their foes, viciously ripping them apart across the stars.

 

 

“Attack! For his Hand of Dominion beckons!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I appreciate your time and hope you enjoyed this article. Any feedback/criticism is equally appreciated. Many thanks to octavulg, and his Octaguide. If you’re creating an IA article, give it a look!

Edited by KBA, 27 March 2021 - 05:51 AM.

[mel_danes]

Worry not KBA, things are in motion. Your scheme for the Omega Hounds is a great start, and if we can manage it will look very cool in a developing project.
Have faith brother.

[KBA]

Thread Update:

It’s been quite sometime but thanks to continued quarantine, I’ve once again found some time to dedicate to my little project. I’ve got to learn some formatting but I’m happier with with I’ve got now than the single sentence that existed here before. Pretty well reworked the entire fluff of my DIY Chapter I had been working on in the Works In Progress section. New details on the Primaris have helped evolve some aspects of the Omega Hounds from three years ago.

Feedback welcome

[Bjorn Firewalker]

The IA is well-written, overall. The quote from Guilliman is an excellent touch.

The Council of Khortoch that the position of the Captain within each company was replaced with a Chaplain

I think it makes more sense to require Captains to be inducted into the Chaplaincy, and make "received training as a Chaplain" a requirement for the position of Company commander. I advise creating new title for the Captain-Chaplain hybrids who are Company commanders, and for the Lieutenant-Chaplain hybrids who serve as the Captain-Chaplains' seconds-in-command.

And some nitpicking, with suggested corrections in brackets:

Spoiler

The ensuing ferocious initial skirmishes between the two forces saw viscous [bloodlust] on both sides.

"Bloodlust" may be written as one word.

Possessed by rage and hate unfathomable, the Hounds desperately [pursued] the Night Lords into a cluster of warp storms.

I replaced "perused" with "pursued".

[KBA]

The IA is well-written, overall. The quote from Guilliman is an excellent touch.

The Council of Khortoch that the position of the Captain within each company was replaced with a Chaplain

I think it makes more sense to require Captains to be inducted into the Chaplaincy, and make "received training as a Chaplain" a requirement for the position of Company commander. I advise creating new title for the Captain-Chaplain hybrids who are Company commanders, and for the Lieutenant-Chaplain hybrids who serve as the Captain-Chaplains' seconds-in-command.
And some nitpicking, with suggested corrections in brackets:

Spoiler

The ensuing ferocious initial skirmishes between the two forces saw viscous [bloodlust] on both sides.

y
"Bloodlust" may be written as one word.

Possessed by rage and hate unfathomable, the Hounds desperately [pursued] the Night Lords into a cluster of warp storms.

I replaced "perused" with "pursued".

Thank you for the feedback

The Robute quote is actually inspired by a couple lines from General MacAuthur with a 40k twist put on it:

Build me a son, O Lord, who’ll be strong enough to know
When he is weak, and knows enough to face himself when he’s afraid;
Who’ll be proud and unbending in honest defeat,
And humble and gentle in victory.

Your suggestion to alter the Chaplains into Commander-Chaplains is well made. I’ll put some thought into that.

[KBA]

The IA is well-written, overall. The quote from Guilliman is an excellent touch.

The Council of Khortoch that the position of the Captain within each company was replaced with a Chaplain

I think it makes more sense to require Captains to be inducted into the Chaplaincy, and make "received training as a Chaplain" a requirement for the position of Company commander. I advise creating new title for the Captain-Chaplain hybrids who are Company commanders, and for the Lieutenant-Chaplain hybrids who serve as the Captain-Chaplains' seconds-in-command.
And some nitpicking, with suggested corrections in brackets:

Spoiler

The ensuing ferocious initial skirmishes between the two forces saw viscous [bloodlust] on both sides.

"Bloodlust" may be written as one word.

Possessed by rage and hate unfathomable, the Hounds desperately [pursued] the Night Lords into a cluster of warp storms.

I replaced "perused" with "pursued".

Updated the Captain-Chaplain bit. I used the title Hell Hound, to continue that symbolism of the Omega Hounds guarding the grave i.e Cerberus. Next up I’ll be fleshing out some more details on organization as well as some of their allies, including a Knight Househould assigned a new home world in the subsector after theirs had been swallowed up in the Great Rift.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

To me, the title "Hell Hound" (I also see it written as one word, "Hellhound", in other works) doesn't imply its holder has leadership skills, only that he's ferocious in battle. Best reserve it for your Chapter's elites, e.g., Honor Guards.

May I suggest the title "Hierophant" or "Archiereus" (Archpriest) for a Captain-Chaplain, and "Hiereus" (Priest) for a Lieutenant-Chaplain?

[KBA]

To me, the title "Hell Hound" (I also see it written as one word, "Hellhound", in other works) doesn't imply its holder has leadership skills, only that he's ferocious in battle. Best reserve it for your Chapter's elites, e.g., Honor Guards.
May I suggest the title "Hierophant" or "Archiereus" (Archpriest) for a Captain-Chaplain, and "Hiereus" (Priest) for a Lieutenant-Chaplain?

Fair point. I like the continued use of Greek verbiage complementing ‘Omega’, this IA could use more of that. I’ll definitely use your suggestion of Archiereus for the Captain-Chaplains. As far as Lieutenants, the added two chaplains to each of the battle companies was a nod to the Executioners employing three chaplains in each of their companies as opposed to one. I do like the idea of having the Lieutenants receiving training in the Chaplaincy as well though to illustrate just how thorough the Hounds’ bloodlust needs to be monitored.

It does make me consider renaming their Chaplains to something else other than Death Hounds, which was inspired by the Executioners’ Death Speakers. Perhaps some Greek translations are in order for them.

Edited by KBA, 11 June 2020 - 08:03 PM.

[Gree]

Well-written and interesting. I'm reminded of the Crusade-era War Hounds, of ferocity and aggression tempered by discipline, along with the Hound motif. Since you put their gene-seed as unknown, I wonder if Cawl was up to any shenanigans in creating them.

[KBA]

Updated with added Beliefs section. I’ve also poured over the Octaguide and the DIY guide and have made some adjustments.

Well-written and interesting. I'm reminded of the Crusade-era War Hounds, of ferocity and aggression tempered by discipline, along with the Hound motif. Since you put their gene-seed as unknown, I wonder if Cawl was up to any shenanigans in creating them.

Thanks, Gree!

My aim with the gene-seed is to really leave it up to the reader as to whose gene-seed they carry. Plenty of evidence for the argument of Ultramarines, Imperial Fists, or even World Eaters.

[AHorriblePerson]

I finally sat down and read through the thread, and I'm really digging the Omega Hounds!

As a big fan of "savage, yet refined"-type chapters, these guys really resonate with me. They've got some very interesting quirks in their Captain-chaplain hybrids. Their philosophy surrounding utter subjugation and the contempt for their enemies is also extremely fun to read about, as I feel like more virtuous chapters are the norm among homebrews. I think it's odd that you chose to keep their Primarch a subject of mystery when every canonical Ultima Founding successor's origins are known. Any particular reason for that? That's not really criticism, mind you, I'm just pointing it out. I am getting a strong Sons of Horus-vibe from them myself... might be because of the aforementioned controlled savagery in connection with the all topknots (it's definetely the topknots).

 

Regardless, keep the lore coming! Can't wait to see more of the Hounds.

 

 

P.S.: Nice Gravis Captain conversion from the other day.

[KBA]

I finally sat down and read through the thread, and I'm really digging the Omega Hounds!
As a big fan of "savage, yet refined"-type chapters, these guys really resonate with me. They've got some very interesting quirks in their Captain-chaplain hybrids. Their philosophy surrounding utter subjugation and the contempt for their enemies is also extremely fun to read about, as I feel like more virtuous chapters are the norm among homebrews. I think it's odd that you chose to keep their Primarch a subject of mystery when every canonical Ultima Founding successor's origins are known. Any particular reason for that? That's not really criticism, mind you, I'm just pointing it out. I am getting a strong Sons of Horus-vibe from them myself... might be because of the aforementioned controlled savagery in connection with the all topknots (it's definetely the topknots).
 
Regardless, keep the lore coming! Can't wait to see more of the Hounds.
 
 
P.S.: Nice Gravis Captain conversion from the other day.

Thank you for taking the time to explore the Omega Hounds. I appreciate the feedback and am glad you enjoyed the read

A couple reasons for the unknown founding: I’ve always been a sucker for a little mystery. In ‘The Great Work’, it’s mentioned how Cawl views all forms of the geneseed, traitor and loyalist alike, to be part of the Emperor’s grand plan. It’s never said he has used forbidden gene-seed, but it doesn’t say he hasn’t— which to me speaks volumes. I think this gives more acceptable ways than ever to hint at forbidden possibilities. This allowed me to really just throw the question of their gene-seed up in the air and play with duality in ways that avoid making a chapter with a clear-cut pidgeonholed theme (though I do love those).

Are they World Eaters? They certainly seem to be just as savage? They do, but then again so were their original Terran recruits, and the nutty Adlanians from which they currently recruit. But they seem to love axes? Well, they were trained by the Executioners. Okay, so they are pretty damned disciplined, stoic, and even use the pain glove. Imperial Fists then, or carry over from their tutors? The least likely, despite my IA article, are probably the Ultramarines— and that’s exactly why they’re the front runners in my fluff: giving credence to that doubt of their gene-seed. That, and along with the fact of showing how a successor founded after Guilliman’s resurrection might view him entirely different than those who have been around for thousands of years; a Warmaster on the rise. Maybe there is something to those top-knots

The other reason was to contrast against another chapter that had the source of its geneseed cast in doubt: the White Templars. Understandably, they are hellbent at getting to the bottom of it. But what kind of chapter would ignore rumination and stay the course? That question was an interesting one to me and I wanted to represent that in the Omega Hounds.

I understand it may seem a little weird the Adeptus Mechanicus hasn’t answered inquiries. Perhaps pro-Cawl sects are covering tracks of Cawl’s Interpretation of the Emperor’s grand plan. Maybe their records have been lost or accidentally deleted— something not without precedent and entirely plausible considering the insanely complex and often redundant functionality of the Administratum.

[KBA]

Updated with Organization and Combat Doctrine. I’ve done some heavy formatting as well. God bless clearfloat. Next up is the Homeworld section, which should help with some characterization.

[KBA]

Added the Homeworld section

Just some edits and Battle-Cry section left, though I am debating adding a Later History section. But at a strong 4,000 words, that might be a little much!

[The_Bloody]

I read your IA this morning, and I find it well written and interesting.

 

The Origins story, in particular, is quite cool and immersive; the Hounds' aggressive beginnings are particularly well worded.

Misunderstanding a Chaplain for a Night Lord is... hilarious, but also grim and sad in its own way.

This is doubled down in Death of a Patriarch, where the Chapter actually suffers a desecrating blow and its rivalry with the VIII is brought on another level. What I appreciate the most here is that you played on a new Chapter's inexperience vs a veteran traitor Warband, something kind of obvious, but rarely seen.

 

My favourite part of this is probably how their putative Primarch, Guilliman, is seen by the chapter in a totally... partial and selective way, which makes him an almost tribal Warlord more than anything else. It feels fresh, it makes sense, and sparks interest for an eventual meeting. 

 

The only thing I'm not 100% sold on is Adlan having been a traitor playground from the Horus Heresy to the Indomitus Era.

I mean... ten thousand years is a lot of time, and you'd presume this would have left some taint on the planet. In fact, more than some!

I feel many imperial generals would have considered nuking it and restarting from scratch rather than simply reconquer it.

I'm not sure you can just reclaim a planet that has been lost in a warp storm for ten centuries while being used by a traitor legion... unless it is really, really important as-is for some reason?

This consideration extends to the Chapter's recruits, who have been thralls to the Night Lords for generations, immediatly kneel upon recognizing what they believe to be one of them, and being generally thraumatized by the VIII's touch on their home world. It's cool that the Chaplains have to purge some of them, when they start to believe a little too much in their right to enjoy endless slaughter, but unless something's wrong -VIII Legion style!- most of these bad apples would probably be singled out before full ascension?

Now don't get me wrong, I think all of this is very interesting - in fact, it is a fresh take, and a Chapter sufficiently stressed out will likely do whatever is needed to survive, including accepting less than ideal recruits. The potential is there, perhaps it just needs a little more exploration to my taste.

 

Needless to say, the models you used to enrich the article are amazing, and very pleasing to see!

 

These are just my musings. Feel free to ignore them, and I apologize for any misunderstanding.

On the other hand, I hope you'll find at least a scrap of useful feedback.

 

I'll be following this

Edited by The_Bloody, 18 July 2020 - 08:52 AM.

[KBA]

I read your IA this morning, and I find it well written and interesting.

The Origins story, in particular, is quite cool and immersive; the Hounds' aggressive beginnings are particularly well worded.
Misunderstanding a Chaplain for a Night Lord is... hilarious, but also grim and sad in its own way.
This is doubled down in Death of a Patriarch, where the Chapter actually suffers a desecrating blow and its rivalry with the VIII is brought on another level. What I appreciate the most here is that you played on a new Chapter's inexperience vs a veteran traitor Warband, something kind of obvious, but rarely seen.

Thank you for reading! I really wanted to try and devastate the chapter in the beginning in an interesting way. Having something terrible happen to the chapter in its beginning to justify certain foundational changes is a popular tool, so using it, I wanted it to be a bit memorable.

My favourite part of this is probably how their putative Primarch, Guilliman, is seen by the chapter in a totally... partial and selective way, which makes him an almost tribal Warlord more than anything else. It feels fresh, it makes sense, and sparks interest for an eventual meeting.

I’m glad you enjoyed this aspect. One of the first things I wanted to explore when details of the Indomitus Crusade first appeared from GW was how some might view Guilliman now, especially if their optics don’t stretch back to a time he wasn’t reborn.

The only thing I'm not 100% sold on is Adlan having been a traitor playground from the Horus Heresy to the Indomitus Era.
I mean... ten thousand years is a lot of time, and you'd presume this would have left some taint on the planet. In fact, more than some!
I feel many imperial generals would have considered nuking it and restarting from scratch rather than simply reconquer it.
I'm not sure you can just reclaim a planet that has been lost in a warp storm for ten centuries while being used by a traitor legion... unless it is really, really important as-is for some reason?
This consideration extends to the Chapter's recruits, who have been thralls to the Night Lords for generations, immediatly kneel upon recognizing what they believe to be one of them, and being generally thraumatized by the VIII's touch on their home world. It's cool that the Chaplains have to purge some of them, when they start to believe a little too much in their right to enjoy endless slaughter, but unless something's wrong -VIII Legion style!- most of these bad apples would probably be singled out before full ascension?
Now don't get me wrong, I think all of this is very interesting - in fact, it is a fresh take, and a Chapter sufficiently stressed out will likely do whatever is needed to survive, including accepting less than ideal recruits. The potential is there, perhaps it just needs a little more exploration to my taste.

EDIT

I’ve gone back and reworked the article to have the Night Lords remnant band’s exact recruitment history of the Adlanians to be quite vague. Additionally, this shortened the length of the IA, something always welcome!

Needless to say, the models you used to enrich the article are amazing, and very pleasing to see!

I’m glad you dig the models! I need to paint more, but am over-the-moon excited for the new primaris stuff in the Indomitus Box, and the hype has no doubt sent me on a mission to see this IA resemble something of complete.

These are just my musings. Feel free to ignore them, and I apologize for any misunderstanding.
On the other hand, I hope you'll find at least a scrap of useful feedback.

On the contrary! Criticism is only going to make all our articles better. I’m reminded of ‘rough grit’ vs ‘soft grit’ and how effective blunt criticism can be if you remain objective in viewing these works in progress as things that should and need to be refined. Everyone should take a look at how dissected IA’s were a bunch of years ago by reading this IA and the chain feedback the author received:

IA: Stone Hearts

For an article as well thought-out and brimming with quality as that, the frater still helped refine the work with honest and blunt feedback— something I wish we saw more of in today’s Liber.

I'll be following this

Thanks!

Edited by KBA, 20 July 2020 - 08:56 PM.

[KBA]

More edits to The World Remembered and Homeworld based on The_Bloody’s feedback to help make the Night Lords aspect a little more digestible

Edited by KBA, 20 July 2020 - 09:00 PM.

[hortanium]

Rage-incarnate, these maniacal traitors fought without armour nor arms, directed by the whips of their masters, ignoring both pain and wound.

I would consider rewording the above line to "Rage-incarnate, these maniacal traitors fought with neither arms, nor armour, directed by the whips of their masters, ignoring both pain and wound.

Your IA is a really good, unique, read and the models you've added pictures of are fantastic.

Edited by hortanium, 24 July 2020 - 04:36 AM.

[KBA]

Rage-incarnate, these maniacal traitors fought without armour nor arms, directed by the whips of their masters, ignoring both pain and wound.

I would considering rewording the above line to "Rage-incarnate, these maniacal traitors fought with neither arms, nor armour, directed by the whips of their masters, ignoring both pain and wound.
 
Your IA is a really good, unique, read and the models you've added pictures of are fantastic.

I’m going to make that change, thank you for that, and for reading my IA!

[KBA]

Updated with Heraldic Sheet and fluff description! Looking to get some art up next

Edited by KBA, 27 July 2020 - 06:00 PM.

[Grey Hunter Ydalir]

This looks fantastic. I absolutely love the scheme and aesthetic you've gone with for the chapter. All the little details, as well as the well-structured IA with the sections logically referring and meshing to and with one another is great.

 

I've only a couple of things to pick at really.

 

 

...the bolts of the Omega Hounds chasing down their foes across the stars, ripping them apart until triggers are depressed.

 

 

Emphasis mine. This is worded awkwardly. I know what you're getting at, but it just doesn't work well for me. Many who are unfamiliar with firearms will find it confusing, even if they get the gist of it. For myself, I find it as I said before, awkward. It needs rewording.

 

The other thing is that the entire piece ends abruptly at Combat Doctrine, and even though it's a good read and there's a decent amount of information to get through, it feels shorter than it feels like it should be, if that makes sense. If there's more to come then this nitpick is moot, obviously.

[Brother Cambrius]

I've been enjoying reading through this article on and off in-between COVID-19 Warp Jumps (aka my altered work schedule draining me heavily) and I must say this is a wonderfully diverse and deep level of commitment and uniqueness that befits the 40k realm perfectly!

 

I love the use of the Executioners being their training cadre being very influential on their growth and outlook, including the command structure with Chaplains (others have done similar, but this is a really strong and unique idea with it revolving around discipline and the control of rage over the usual zealous piety only). The history of their origins and some mysteries with the Night Lords etc are a great touch on how the Omega Hounds have grown from their origins and altered after the era Indomitus.

 

Great stuff KBA! Is there any photos of the army you have in full? The use of your models really added to the character of this article a bunch!

 

Cambrius

[KBA]

This looks fantastic. I absolutely love the scheme and aesthetic you've gone with for the chapter. All the little details, as well as the well-structured IA with the sections logically referring and meshing to and with one another is great.
 
I've only a couple of things to pick at really.
 

 
...the bolts of the Omega Hounds chasing down their foes across the stars, ripping them apart until triggers are depressed.

 
Emphasis mine. This is worded awkwardly. I know what you're getting at, but it just doesn't work well for me. Many who are unfamiliar with firearms will find it confusing, even if they get the gist of it. For myself, I find it as I said before, awkward. It needs rewording.
 
The other thing is that the entire piece ends abruptly at Combat Doctrine, and even though it's a good read and there's a decent amount of information to get through, it feels shorter than it feels like it should be, if that makes sense. If there's more to come then this nitpick is moot, obviously.

 

Thanks for reading!

I’ll give that wording a change, it does sound a little off I agree.

I’m glad it feels a little short— always nice to leave readers wanting more, but I agree about the abrupt end. I’m working on a short Recent History section that will hopefully put a bow on top of the article.

 

I've been enjoying reading through this article on and off in-between COVID-19 Warp Jumps (aka my altered work schedule draining me heavily) and I must say this is a wonderfully diverse and deep level of commitment and uniqueness that befits the 40k realm perfectly!
 
I love the use of the Executioners being their training cadre being very influential on their growth and outlook, including the command structure with Chaplains (others have done similar, but this is a really strong and unique idea with it revolving around discipline and the control of rage over the usual zealous piety only). The history of their origins and some mysteries with the Night Lords etc are a great touch on how the Omega Hounds have grown from their origins and altered after the era Indomitus.
 
Great stuff KBA! Is there any photos of the army you have in full? The use of your models really added to the character of this article a bunch!
 
Cambrius

Thank you, Cambruis!

I’m happy to hear the ruling Chaplaincy in this article comes off as a little fresh. It’s a massive aspect of the Chapter, and really my main quirk. I respect the heck out of IA articles that show restraint and limit how much unique/cool/quirky they put inject into their chapter and wanted to emulate that aspect. The beauty of not having all the cool toys is that it not only makes it more believable but also adds identity.

So far, everything I’ve done with the Omega Hounds can be found in my WIP thread (see signature). I’m just getting started on modelling more and paint will soon follow, so stay tuned

[The_Bloody]

I have finally returned from my holidays and can give some other feedback on this.

I see you have expanded or reworded quite a bit, while incorporating feedback, and the result is definitely solid!

Thus, I can't offer much in terms of critique. You basically doubled down on everything I liked before 

 

The way you have rewritten (o I have re-read? can't tell for sure) some sentences - like Khordessa's overly poetic commentary, which lets his character filter through his own words quite remarkably, vs the grim reality of the NL's arrival; or Guilliman remembering Adlan and wishing to complete its compliance after all that time- is brilliant (unlike this overly long sentence... lol). Shout out for the Adlans not having any idea of what's going on around them and the Chapter keeping them ignorant on purpose!

 

The fluff boxes are well-selected and well-written aswell. "A question of purity" fixes what was my main perplexity, while "The Death Hounds" further expands the influence of the Executioners on your Hounds, which I already liked a lot.

 

The Chapter Reborn section is a welcome addition and elaboration upon the Hounds' first failure and how it shaped them, giving good reason for their evolution, which leads us to... the Organization! I think you did well; it is not easy to work with the relative vagueness of the current fluff, so your effort to give it shape and sense -while making it unique- is remarkable. What I truly love, as you already know, is the Chapter's unconventional perception of its Primarch, which I see you have developed by including their particular approach to the Codex Astartes. Not all of this could be new stuff - I apologize if I am misremembering. Anyway, new or not, it's hella cool!

 

I think you're doing very well with this project.

And that heraldry image is, off course, amazing... did you say more art is coming?

[KBA]

I have finally returned from my holidays and can give some other feedback on this.
I see you have expanded or reworded quite a bit, while incorporating feedback, and the result is definitely solid!
Thus, I can't offer much in terms of critique. You basically doubled down on everything I liked before 
 
The way you have rewritten (o I have re-read? can't tell for sure) some sentences - like Khordessa's overly poetic commentary, which lets his character filter through his own words quite remarkably, vs the grim reality of the NL's arrival; or Guilliman remembering Adlan and wishing to complete its compliance after all that time- is brilliant (unlike this overly long sentence... lol). Shout out for the Adlans not having any idea of what's going on around them and the Chapter keeping them ignorant on purpose!
 
The fluff boxes are well-selected and well-written aswell. "A question of purity" fixes what was my main perplexity, while "The Death Hounds" further expands the influence of the Executioners on your Hounds, which I already liked a lot.
 
The Chapter Reborn section is a welcome addition and elaboration upon the Hounds' first failure and how it shaped them, giving good reason for their evolution, which leads us to... the Organization! I think you did well; it is not easy to work with the relative vagueness of the current fluff, so your effort to give it shape and sense -while making it unique- is remarkable. What I truly love, as you already know, is the Chapter's unconventional perception of its Primarch, which I see you have developed by including their particular approach to the Codex Astartes. Not all of this could be new stuff - I apologize if I am misremembering. Anyway, new or not, it's hella cool!
 
I think you're doing very well with this project.
And that heraldry image is, off course, amazing... did you say more art is coming?

Thanks for the re-read, Bloody! I appreciate the kind words. The particular veneration the chapter holds for Guilliman ended up being my favourite little tidbit as well, oddly enough, considering how it was something that showed up in later drafts. Crazy how ideas evolve from our first drafts. I wanted to patch up that block of suspension of disbelief for the NL on Adlan, and I think it works well enough. Thank you for the feedback. More art on the way, and some nifty new conversions for my WIP Omega Hound Thread in my sig