Dread Lords [LASC2021]

[Doctor Perils]

This is an entry for the 2021 edition of the Liber Astartes Swap Challenge. Find more info here: http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/368832-liber-astartes-swap-challenge-2021-phase-1/

THE DREAD LORDS

The Dread Lords were the sole surviving loyalist Space Marine Chapter claiming the Sarment Sector as their home at the dawn of the 42nd Millenium. Their battle honours are great, yet they maintain their hereditary disgrace is a stain greater than may be effaced by the long list of heroic deeds.

Summary

Founding Chapter = ...Ultramarines (trained by Novamarines)

Genesire = ................Roboute Guilliman

Founding = ................Unknown

Chapter Master = .......Livio Aita

Homeworld = .............The Starfort Port-Cullis

Main Colours = ..........Burgundy, silver and black

Chapter Specialities = Void Warfare and Drop Pod Assault

Strength = ................(currently) 763 marines of the line, 92 officers and specialists (287 Primaris)

Organisation = ..........Slight Codex Variance

History

Origins

The Dread Lords were once known as the Void Sentinels, Defenders of the Sarment Sector, Guardians of the scholar planet Ephus, and Castellans of the Starfort Port-Cullis.

Burning of Ephus

The surface of Ephus Prime received too little stellar radiation from the brown dwarf it orbited for life to develop independently there, leading to its primary designation as a dead world: in actuality it was far from being truly dead at the time of the Void Sentinels' implantation, as its peculiar environment made it an ideal location for fragile objects, such as books and scrolls. Given the rare secondary classification of scholar world, Ephus became a bustling centre of academic business - professors, students and sellers of bibelots of doubtful provenance congregating together to learn and record obscure and arcane knowledge.

This however all came to an end during a worldwide violent student's uprising. A company of the Void Sentinels descended upon the rioters to reestablish the Emperor's peace; but in the midst of combat, a stray shot from an unknown fighter caused an explosion deep in the underbelly of a series of labyrinthine vaults. Within, were more artefacts which had been hidden away from the weak stellar radiation: caches of ancient munitions dating back to the dark days of the Horus Heresy, preserved for millenia thanks to the particular conditions upon Ephus Prime in full working condition. Among them, thousands of cannisters of one of the most dreaded substances known to Man: Phosphex.

The combattants killed outright by the detonation were the lucky ones. The crawling horror ravaged the hab-complexes, incinerating every single being upon the planet; devouring still-screaming corpses as their last breaths were sucked from their melting lungs.

To this day, the last dessicated husks piloting the eldest of the Chapter's dreadnoughts are kept far away from bare flames, for the sight brings back terrible memories best forgotten, even by Space Marines.

These dire events shook the Chapter to its core, as they took upon themselves the guilt for this atrocity. In penance, the Astartes vowed to undertake a new crusade to wash away their dishonour, staining their armour with the silver flames of Phosphex that burnt Ephus and its population. Then, they took off on their quest through the stars under a new name: Dread Lords.

Battles of Shame

Following the Burning of Ephus, the Dread Lords pursued a crusade to salvage what remained of their honour. After granting Battlefleet Sarment their ancient fortress-monastery Port-Cullis - a Ramilies-Class starfort immobilised in orbit around Ephus - Chapter Master Bogomir launched their entire armada into the stars for the first time in centuries, in search of their fate and doom.

Requesting orders from the Adeptus Administratum in order to take on the most dangerous missions, their penitent crusade lasted for several centuries around the turn of M36. The Dread Lords participated in many a campaign by the side of the Imperial Guard, the Imperial Navy, the Frateris Templars, and even a few other Space Marine chapters, putting down a widespread series of heretical rebellions against the authority of Terra. Only when envoys from their progenitors, the Novamarines, met them did the truth of these wars transpire: they had in fact been fighting for the despot Goge Vandire as he usurped the true will of the Emperor and Humanity to consolidate his Reign of Blood.

The horror they felt at the realisation they had in fact been slaughtering faithful subjects of the Imperium over a period of decades was further enhanced when the Novamarines taught them of the fate of their home sector during the Age of Apostasy: a large chaos incursion had emerged from the Psyphon to overturn all Imperial power there, reducing its population to slavery and slaying any Imperial Guard and PDF regiment that dared stand up to them.

Making all haste to return to Sarment, the Dread Lords coordinated a unified strategy for the crusade of reconquest over the forces of the archenemy. Leading a force of seven Imperial Guard regiments, a detachment of the Adeptus Mechanicus, three Imperial Knights and a newly formed chapter which would soon gain its name of War Wolves, their opening play would be at Ephus Prime.

Siege of Port-Cullis

Master Bogomir's plan was to capture and fortify their ancient seat, calculating this would cut off the Heretics' potential reinforcements from the Warp Storm known as the Psyphon and provide a morale boosting easy victory.

They had not anticipated that their oponent at Port-Cullis was in fact the heir to the fleet officer to whom they had handed control of the Starfort all those centuries ago, High-Captain Welton Blackwood. At the invasion of Chaos forces, the high-captain had led a general mutiny of Battlefleet Sarment and established a personal dominion, a piratical tributary loyal to the new Heretic overlords of the Sector even after his daughter Mara succeeded him. Now nicknamed the "Butcher", Blackwood was a canny officer who had grown up on the starfort and knew the battlefield like the back of her augmetic hand, perhaps moreso even than the Dread Lords themselves.

And yet, this was a battle the Dread Lords could not - must not - lose. They engaged.

While a gargantuan void battle was joined between two Space Marine Chapter fleets and the defenders of Port-Cullis, the Dread Lords launched boarding torpedoes against their own ancestral home. Many were shot out of the void, their wreckage tumbling out and down to crash upon the ruins of Ephus; yet, enough managed to get through the barrage, unleashing their deadly cargo of enraged Astartes upon the crew of the Starfort. As they tore their way through the traitors, more Dread Lords teleported on board - their Chapter Master at their head - bearing hulking suits of Tactical Dreadnought Armour, thereby condemning the paultry defences. And yet, Master Bogomir's instincts told him something was wrong...

As the Terminators melted down the Bulkhead doors to the bridge, they discovered the reason that they had felt little resistance: their foe, Blackwood, had not been in command, the pirates' retaliation barely more than an eratic flailing.

Seemingly at the same moment, a flotilla burst out of the warp in close proximity to the planet, and greeted a shoal of lighters rising to meet them. Too late, Master Bogomir realised what these represented, and ordered his own fleet to intercept the new arrivals. Unfortunately, the rest of the Heretics' fleet held their line, holding back the Imperial forces just long enough for the flotilla to escape back into the warp. Filled with rage at the escape of their quary, the Dread Lords and their allies reduced the remaining pirates to ash and wreckage, but the cost of the battle would be devastating to the sons of Guilliman. As Master Bogomir inspected the state of his remaining forces, he was forced to contend with the sad evidence: though the Dread Lords were by now an old and established Chapter, the casualties suffered during the Siege of Port-Cullis on top of the accumulated losses during their Penitent Crusade meant that they would need to scale back their participation in the Sarment Crusade, taking a back seat to the Guard and the junior Chapter's involvement. While they would hold Ephus for the remainder of the campaign, and even helped in a few minor void battles, the bulk of the Dread Lords' involvement was done.

The Phryx War

Following the end of the reconquest of Sarment, a period of relative stability allowed the Imperium to build up their grasp over the worlds there, constructing defences and other infrastructure, fostering re-population programs, and most importantly, conducting a vast campaign to purify any planet The Heretic had set foot upon. In the background, though, the next crisis for the Sector was brewing.

Upon the world of Ephus Prime, there remained swathes of documents scattered upon the surface. In a sick twist of fate, the majority of the documents upon the world were left unscathed by the deflagration, as they were stored outside the air-sealed hab-complexes. They were to become a grave town for the memories and teachings

In the half-millennium of the Dread Lords' absence from the Sarment Sector, diverse groups of explorers and archaeotechnologists had congregated in the ruins of Ephus, mostly in search of fame and fortune. Some believed the scattered scraps of documents might hold the keys to unknown treasures, others calculated that some of the hidden arsenals may still be intact, concealing deadly weapons to further their own goals. Generally, they would be disappointed, though some perished from the unyielding environment or from clashes with rivals.

Mara Blackwood, upon taking control of Port-Cullis, started to systematise the research amongst the rubble. Where few had gleaned any useful information, the Butcher retrieved swathes of knowledge of the Sarment Sector, records that had been mostly overlooked by the treasure hunters. She understood the value of this knowledge, and used it as her primary tribute to her Iron Warrior overlords. When she heard of the fall of the Apostate Vandire though, she knew the days of her dominion were numbered - she descended to Ephus to conduct a last-ditch effort to retrieve any and all documents that could fit in all the lighters she could muster, ready to make her getaway at the moment Imperial Forces appeared in system. As she escaped by the skin of her teeth, she made her way to the small area of space controlled by a fledgling race of Xenos, the Phryx.

The Phryx had been largely ignored by the Imperium up until then, as the worlds they controlled were judged too worthless in comparison to the cost of their extermination. The acquisition of the Butcher's treasure trove of extensive records and maps describing the sector in minute detail would change the course of their history and development. In a matter of decades, they were propelled to prominence on the stage of the Sarment Sector, absorbing strategically significant worlds and countering the greatest minds of the imperial defences.

In desperation, the governors of the Sector called for help from the Adeptus Astartes, and the Space Marines responded. The Dread Lords had pressed into service hundreds of aspirants from throughout the Sector - with a distinct preference for planets and stations used as recruitment grounds for Battlefleet Sarment - and used this Xenos war as a baptism of fire, unleashing a withering series of attacks against the Phryx homeworlds. There is no doubt in the minds of imperial historians that the Dread Lords' actions were pivotal in turning the tide of the First Phryx War, probably in part thanks to the evolution of their tactics during the Battles of Shame, thus entirely misleading Phryx strategists who believed they had correctly analysed the Void Sentinels' battleplans; what the historians fail to mention is how many of their aspirants the Dread Lords lost during this campaign, as the reckless abandon of their assaults brought down their numbers to barely above 200, further delaying the chapter's restoration to full strength by dozens of years.

[?]

Borromeanite Conflict

Millenia after the First Phryx War, in the waning years of M41, the Dread Lords found themselves in alliance with the Borromeanite Conclave of the Inquisition when these were declared Excommunicate Traitoris. Fighting a defensive battle, the Borromeanite forces were eventually captured or annihilated, with only the Dread Lords allowed to go once more on a Penitent Crusade. Having learnt from past mistakes, Chapter Master Livio Aita requests aid from the Adeptus Mechanicus in refurbishing Port-Cullis, allowing the chapter to take their Fortress Monastery to war for the first time since the Horus Heresy.

Homeworld and Fortress Monastery

Ephus Prime

Ephus Prime is a blasted and desolate world. Once, it was a great centre of learning for the whole Sarment Sector despite its inhospitable surface conditions, its hab-complexes teeming with teachers and students. Since its Burning conducted by the Dread Lords, it has been a dead world in fact as well as in name. Still, it lies at a strategic position for the Imperium, lying at the junction between the Sector and the Warp Storm known as the Psyphon. And who knows: other secrets may still lie burried beneath its surface.

Port-Cullis

Port-Cullis is the massive Ramilies-pattern starfort the Dread Lords use as a fortress-monastery and the homeport of their fleet. Immobilised and tethered in orbit over Ephus, it has in recent decades been refurbished and taken to war by the Dread Lords in their Penitent Crusade following the Borromeanite Conflict.

Combat Doctrine

It would seem that since their inception, the Dread Lords have relied heavily on their extensive Chapter Fleet in all aspects of their warfare, whether it be for their propensity for void battles or for Drop Pod Assaults.

Their habit of fighting in starships and Space Hulks has also given them a good knowledge of fighting in close confines, making them experts of the skirmish fields classified as Zones-Mortalis.

The weapon of choice of most Dread Lords is the holy bolter, which is versatile enough to take on most threats before they can become dangerous in close combat. They distrust plasma weaponry, for this can become deadly for the wielder and his squad mates in tunnels and corridors, though they do not shun it. They utilise flame and graviton weaponry more often because of its extreme efficiency in these scenarios, yet it seems it is more by obligation than choice. Finally, the best marksmen of the Dread Lords are entrusted with meltaguns: range is not an issue generally while fighting in a starship, yet decompression is a danger that Dread Lords feel far more concerned about than the explosions of enemy fire.

Though the Dread Lords employ a limited arsenal of battle tanks, they do make greater use of their fallen brothers in Dreadnought form than most chapters: such walkers are often necessary to bring heavy weapons to bear where conventional vehicles would struggle.

Appearance

Chapter colours

The Dread Lords bear armour the colour of the burnt earth of Ephus, variously described as burgundy or murrey, with certain tactical markings in black. This is enhanced with silver-white flames, yet these are unusual among Astartes markings as they are marks of shame as opposed to marks of honour. Upon a neophyte's elevation to the rank of Battle Brother, their armour will bear no flames, and only when they do not perform up to the exacting - even unattainable - standards of the Chapter's Chaplains must they paint these symbols of disgrace.

Chapter Badge and markings

The Chapter's emblem is a broken twelve-pointed star, encircling a skull. This symbol is repeated on both pauldrons, where possible. Tactical markings are inscribed upon an Astartes' kneepads, company device on the left knee, codex squad marking and number on the right.

Chapter Fleet of the Dread Lords

The Dread Lords have always had a considerable fleet for a Space Marine Chapter, even compared to some Second Founding chapters. As the Void Sentinels, they were initially meant to be a rapid response force, able to send out flotillas in a matter of weeks to besieged worlds or to intercept enemy movements and reinforcements. Since becoming the Dread Lords though, they have increasingly resorted to seizing enemy ships and converting them to suit an Adeptus Astartes Chapter's needs, the only way for them to maintain a Fleet worthy of respect as their tactics have become ever more aggressive after their many shamings. While Imperial Navy Admirals have voiced its discontent at these confiscations - claiming that the rights to these ships should revert to them - they are secretly content with this so-called Dread Tithe as it means continued aid from the Astartes in question, whether from their fleet directly, or as an honour guard of Dread Lords stationed upon their flagships in the fiercest of engagements.

• Shattered Star - Chapter Master's personal Battle-Barge
• Tarist's Vengeance - Garoth Tarist's famous Strike Cruiser. It was renamed in his honour after his sacrifice in the battle of Diamell Edited March 29, 2021 by Doctor Perils

[Bjorn Firewalker]

You're off to a good start. There is room for improvement, though.

However, a particularly violent uprising of the scholar world's students forced the Sentinels to lead reprisals against them, during which ancient munitions depots hidden below the planet's surface were detonated,

Did the Void Sentinels or their Ultramarines forebears hide the ancient munitions which subsequently destroyed Ephus? Did the students smuggle in the munitions, in preparation for their uprising? Was Ephus a CHAOS SPACE MARINE fortress world that was reclaimed during the Scouring, and the traitor munitions stores overlooked when the planet was recolonized?

The Dread Lords were once known as the Void Sentinels, defenders of the Sarment Sector and guardians of the planet Ephus.

Following the Burning of Ephus, the Dread Lords pursued a crusade to salvage what remained of their honour, launching Port Qullis into the stars for the first time in centuries,

The fact the "Homeworld and Fortress Monastery" section was put AFTER "History", made me wonder if Port Qullis was a piece of the planet, and the Dread Lords were emulating the Dark Angels when the latter turned a piece of Caliban into a spaceborne fortress-monastery. It will help readers if you provide more context, i.e., rewrite these sentences as "The Dread Lords were once known as the Void Sentinels, defenders of the Sarment Sector and guardians of the scholars' world of Ephus," and "Following the Burning of Ephus, the Dread Lords pursued a crusade to salvage what remained of their honour, launching the star fort Port Qullis into the Warp for the first time in centuries," (emphasis mine).

Finally, the best marksmen of the Dread Lords are entrusted with meltaguns: range is not an issue generally while fighting in a starship, yet decompression is a danger that Dread Lords feel far more concerned about than the explosions of enemy fire.

Power and Terminator armor should double as void suits (what we call "spacesuits"), meaning an explosion which may compromise the armor's integrity and airtight quality, is a far greater concern than decompression and subsequent exposure to vacuum. In fact, the Marines can INTENTIONALLY decompress decks they're on as an offensive measure (when boarding enemy ships) and defensive countermeasure (against enemy boarders), trusting in their power and Terminator armor to protect them from the vacuum of space.

He went on to fight in several battles, but it seems his new existence must have been unbearable to him, for he started to throw himself into the most unequal battles, apparently aiming at ending his life in the heat of battle. Rather than run the risk of losing a relic as important as a Dreadnought Sarcophagus, the Dread Lords were obliged to put an end to the life of one of their greatest heroes.

I find it hard to believe a Chapter will value a piece of machinery over the life of one of its greatest heroes. A more believable explanation for why Mann was killed, would be if he went berserk in battle, losing the ability to distinguish between friend and for, forcing the Dread Lords to put him down like a rabid dog. Edited February 23, 2021 by Bjorn Firewalker

[Doctor Perils]

Thanks for the critiques, they're very helpful, and all good points
 

You're off to a good start. There is room for improvement, though.

However, a particularly violent uprising of the scholar world's students forced the Sentinels to lead reprisals against them, during which ancient munitions depots hidden below the planet's surface were detonated,

Did the Void Sentinels or their Ultramarines forebears hide the ancient munitions which subsequently destroyed Ephus? Did the students smuggle in the munitions, in preparation for their uprising? Was Ephus a CHAOS SPACE MARINE fortress world that was reclaimed during the Scouring, and the traitor munitions stores overlooked when the planet was recolonized?

 

While I had been planning on keeping it intentionally vague, it still deserves to be expanded upon for such an important part of the chapter's history. I had been meaning for it to simply be a weapons dump placed on a planet unlikely to set them off thanks to its non-volatile surface... But I have set up the Sarment Sector to be bought into compliance by the Iron Warriors originally, so there's absolutely room for that to develop
 

 

The Dread Lords were once known as the Void Sentinels, defenders of the Sarment Sector and guardians of the planet Ephus.

Following the Burning of Ephus, the Dread Lords pursued a crusade to salvage what remained of their honour, launching Port Qullis into the stars for the first time in centuries,

The fact the "Homeworld and Fortress Monastery" section was put AFTER "History", made me wonder if Port Qullis was a piece of the planet, and the Dread Lords were emulating the Dark Angels when the latter turned a piece of Caliban into a spaceborne fortress-monastery. It will help readers if you provide more context, i.e., rewrite these sentences as "The Dread Lords were once known as the Void Sentinels, defenders of the Sarment Sector and guardians of the scholars' world of Ephus," and "Following the Burning of Ephus, the Dread Lords pursued a crusade to salvage what remained of their honour, launching the star fort Port Qullis into the Warp for the first time in centuries," (emphasis mine).

 

Very good point! As I'm editing an old article with new stuff merged in on the fly, some of these editorial concerns are bound to be missing me, so thanks for the catch, I'll try and get that fixed :tu:
 

 

Finally, the best marksmen of the Dread Lords are entrusted with meltaguns: range is not an issue generally while fighting in a starship, yet decompression is a danger that Dread Lords feel far more concerned about than the explosions of enemy fire.

Power and Terminator armor should double as void suits (what we call "spacesuits"), meaning an explosion which may compromise the armor's integrity and airtight quality, is a far greater concern than decompression and subsequent exposure to vacuum. In fact, the Marines can INTENTIONALLY decompress decks they're on as an offensive measure (when boarding enemy ships) and defensive countermeasure (against enemy boarders), trusting in their power and Terminator armor to protect them from the vacuum of space.

 

While I agree that Marines themselves shouldn't fear decompression (unless their armour is breached, and even then...), this is absolutely a concern for any mortal crew. What if, instead of simply removing this section, I were to expand upon it more by mentioning that the Dread Lords will often offer squads as additional boarding defences to the Imperial Navy or even private subjects like Rogue Traders; and/or they specialise in taking ships as intact as possible when there is little risk of xenos or chaos taint?
 

 

He went on to fight in several battles, but it seems his new existence must have been unbearable to him, for he started to throw himself into the most unequal battles, apparently aiming at ending his life in the heat of battle. Rather than run the risk of losing a relic as important as a Dreadnought Sarcophagus, the Dread Lords were obliged to put an end to the life of one of their greatest heroes.

I find it hard to believe a Chapter will value a piece of machinery over the life of one of its greatest heroes. A more believable explanation for why Mann was killed, would be if he went berserk in battle, losing the ability to distinguish between friend and for, forcing the Dread Lords to put him down like a rabid dog.

 

While this is some pretty old writing for me, that's more or less the idea I was getting at - Mann had by this time become more of a danger to his companions and to the Dreadnought chassis itself then a hindrance to his enemies. It's also meant to be a further tragedy for the chapter that they have to put down such an illustrious hero of the chapter outside of combat.

Also, I beg to disagree on the point of a Chapter viewing a dreadnought as a mere "piece of machinery" - as with most technology in the 41st millenium, Dreadnoughts are literally holy relics: "The sepulchre that contains a Chapter's Dreadnoughts is a holy shrine, and the Techmarines tend to their charges with great care, fastidiously applying sacred oils and unguents while chanting the Litanies of Preservation." Indeed, the Chapter probably don't see a Dreadnought Chassis+Sarcophagus as being worth more than a Space Marine (else there'd be little point in fielding them), in this case it's more a case of putting the hero out of his misery rather than having him do something too unpredictable on the field of battle.

 

Does that make sense, on a thematic/symbolic level?

[Bjorn Firewalker]

As I'm editing an old article with new stuff merged in on the fly, some of these editorial concerns are bound to be missing me,

I make the same damn mistake all the time, so I try to be understanding and forgiving when other people make them. We're only human.

so thanks for the catch, I'll try and get that fixed

You're welcome.

While I agree that Marines themselves shouldn't fear decompression (unless their armour is breached, and even then...), this is absolutely a concern for any mortal crew.

Fair enough.

What if, instead of simply removing this section, I were to expand upon it more by mentioning that the Dread Lords will often offer squads as additional boarding defences to the Imperial Navy or even private subjects like Rogue Traders;

This makes the Marines seem like mere mercenaries. More details are necessary, to diminish this impression. Say the Chapter has treaties with certain forge worlds, agreeing to second Marines under a Magos Explorator's command- to capture enemy ships for study, or explore space hulks- in exchange for logistical support from those forge worlds? Say human pirates captured Imperial Navy ships and then used those ships against their former owners; to avenge this humiliation, the Imperial fleet admiral asked to Chapter to station Marines aboard his ships as counter-boarding forces, and in exchange, the Chapter's ships have priority over the admiral's own ships at the fleet shipyards?

and/or they specialise in taking ships as intact as possible when there is little risk of xenos or chaos taint?

Add a "why"- say the Chapter often fights far from Imperial and AdMech logistical support, forcing the Marines to commandeer enemy ships, instead of sending their own damaged ships on decades-long journeys to Imperial shipyards- and it'll be fine.

Indeed, the Chapter probably don't see a Dreadnought Chassis+Sarcophagus as being worth more than a Space Marine (else there'd be little point in fielding them), in this case it's more a case of putting the hero out of his misery rather than having him do something too unpredictable on the field of battle.

 

Does that make sense, on a thematic/symbolic level?

Add the details to provide your readers context, and it will make sense. Without that context, it's incomprehensible. Edited February 23, 2021 by Bjorn Firewalker

[Doctor Perils]

[...]

What if, instead of simply removing this section, I were to expand upon it more by mentioning that the Dread Lords will often offer squads as additional boarding defences to the Imperial Navy or even private subjects like Rogue Traders;

This makes the Marines seem like mere mercenaries. More details are necessary, to diminish this impression. Say the Chapter has treaties with certain forge worlds, agreeing to second Marines under a Magos Explorator's command- to capture enemy ships for study, or explore space hulks- in exchange for logistical support from those forge worlds? Say human pirates captured Imperial Navy ships and then used those ships against their former owners; to avenge this humiliation, the Imperial fleet admiral asked to Chapter to station Marines aboard his ships as counter-boarding forces, and in exchange, the Chapter's ships have priority over the admiral's own ships at the fleet shipyards?

and/or they specialise in taking ships as intact as possible when there is little risk of xenos or chaos taint?

Add a "why"- say the Chapter often fights far from Imperial and AdMech logistical support, forcing the Marines to commandeer enemy ships, instead of sending their own damaged ships on decades-long journeys to Imperial shipyards- and it'll be fine.

 

Both of these could also fit in with their first penitent crusade, when they don't have the benefit of a fixed homeport - in that kind of context, repairs and replacements to the chapter's fleet would be extremely important.

In fact... perhaps it might even be more interesting if they left the starfort over Ephus (too costly to move it / symbolic gesture to show their shame / ...?) so they'd be even more fragile during the penitent crusade.

 

 

Indeed, the Chapter probably don't see a Dreadnought Chassis+Sarcophagus as being worth more than a Space Marine (else there'd be little point in fielding them), in this case it's more a case of putting the hero out of his misery rather than having him do something too unpredictable on the field of battle.

Does that make sense, on a thematic/symbolic level?

Add the details to provide your readers context, and it will make sense. Without that context, it's incomprehensible.

 

Ok, I'll do my best to explain it better and make it more explicit

[Bjorn Firewalker]

In fact... perhaps it might even be more interesting if they left the starfort over Ephus (too costly to move it / symbolic gesture to show their shame / ...?) so they'd be even more fragile during the penitent crusade.

BAD IDEA. You previously wrote this:

The Phryx War

In the millennium of the Dread Lords' absence from the Sarment Sector, diverse groups of explorers and archaeotechnologists had congregated upon the ruins of Ephus, mostly in search of fame and fortune. Some believed the scattered scraps of documents might hold the keys to unknown treasures, others calculated that some of the hidden arsenals may still be intact, concealing deadly weapons to further their own goals. Generally, they would be disappointed, though some perished from the unyielding environment or from clashes with rivals.

 

Thus did the Xenos species recently identified as the Phryx discover the world. With only a fledgling stellar empire, they had been largely ignored by the Imperium up until then, but when they annexed the ruin of Ephus with little to no fight-back from the explorers on its surface, they were able to acquire extensive records and maps describing the sector in minute detail. In a matter of decades, they were propelled to prominence on the stage of the Sarment Sector, absorbing strategically significant worlds and countering the greatest minds of the imperial defences.

If the Dread Lords left behind a star fort full of weapons, military industry (onboard manufactories), and military secrets (codebooks so the Phryx can eavesdrop on Imperial communications, STC templates so the xenos may know the limitations of Imperial weapons limitations or even reverse-engineer these weapons for their own use, and other records) the foul xenos could use against humanity, it will paint the Marines as criminally negligent and incompetent. Either the Marines tow the star fort behind their ships, or they destroy the fort so there is nothing an enemy can find and then use against them and theirs- there is no middle ground. Edited February 23, 2021 by Bjorn Firewalker

[Doctor Perils]

 

In fact... perhaps it might even be more interesting if they left the starfort over Ephus (too costly to move it / symbolic gesture to show their shame / ...?) so they'd be even more fragile during the penitent crusade.

BAD IDEA. You previously wrote this:

The Phryx War

In the millennium of the Dread Lords' absence from the Sarment Sector, diverse groups of explorers and archaeotechnologists had congregated upon the ruins of Ephus, mostly in search of fame and fortune. Some believed the scattered scraps of documents might hold the keys to unknown treasures, others calculated that some of the hidden arsenals may still be intact, concealing deadly weapons to further their own goals. Generally, they would be disappointed, though some perished from the unyielding environment or from clashes with rivals.

 

Thus did the Xenos species recently identified as the Phryx discover the world. With only a fledgling stellar empire, they had been largely ignored by the Imperium up until then, but when they annexed the ruin of Ephus with little to no fight-back from the explorers on its surface, they were able to acquire extensive records and maps describing the sector in minute detail. In a matter of decades, they were propelled to prominence on the stage of the Sarment Sector, absorbing strategically significant worlds and countering the greatest minds of the imperial defences.

If the Dread Lords left behind a star fort full of weapons, military industry (onboard manufactories), and military secrets (codebooks so the Phryx can eavesdrop on Imperial communications, STC templates so the xenos may know the limitations of Imperial weapons limitations or even reverse-engineer these weapons for their own use, and other records) the foul xenos could use against humanity, it will paint the Marines as criminally negligent and incompetent. Either the Marines tow the star fort behind their ships, or they destroy the fort so there is nothing an enemy can find and then use against them and theirs- there is no middle ground.

 

Would make a better story, retaking the ancestral fortress though ;) At the time they leave the Phryx aren't really any kind of big deal too, and I'm not thinking of just abandoning it entirely, just handing it over to military forces of the sector, who subsequently make a botched job of defending it

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Would make a better story, retaking the ancestral fortress though ;) At the time they leave the Phryx aren't really any kind of big deal too, and I'm not thinking of just abandoning it entirely, just handing it over to military forces of the sector, who subsequently make a botched job of defending it

Fair enough. That can add an extra dimension to the Chapter seconding Marines to Imperial Navy ships: The Marines aren't just there to board enemy ships and defend Imperial ships from boarders, they're there because those ships belong to the fleet to which they entrusted the star fort before they went on their penitent crusade, and they don't trust the Imperial fleet admirals and captains to NOT screw up again- in short, the Dread Lords are de facto Naval commissars, there to execute Imperial Navy officers for cowardice and incompetence.

 

Of course, that fact has to be kept secret outside that specific fleet, as the Imperial Navy will NOT be happy a Chapter wields such power over its ships and their captains. Maybe those captains are descendants of the officers who lost the star fort to the Phryx, accommodating the Marines in penance for their ancestors' mistakes, with the Dread Lords Chapter symbol tattooed or branded upon their chests and/or backs to remind them of this?

[Doctor Perils]

Oooh, perhaps the Ephus Defence fleet turn rogue in the absence of the Dread Lords, and so the chapter sees them all as ripe for the picking, regardless of what the Imperial Navy may say? Perhaps prior to the burning of Ephus they aren't at all specialised in void warfare, and only after they have accumulated a decent fleet from the rogue elements do they become such a potent space force? Hmmm I'll have to think on it

 

---

 

Another element I had been thinking of including is a spectrum of views of the chapter and their honour. So far I've mostly concentrated on those who believe their personal honour can be redeemed (though incredibly difficultly - I might also not have much in the text about it yet), but not the Chapter's; I had been thinking however about using press gangs for recruitment, starting from the Battles of Shame - for them it might be more logical to think that their honour was already irredeemably tarnished, so they may as well turn to extreme methods, living up to the "Dread" part of the Chapter's new name; however, perhaps there could also be those who believe that the chapter as a whole may retrieve its reputation through some [as yet unknown] act of heroism, though perhaps this could lead to the destruction of the chapter - some may believe this is an acceptable price to pay even, and therefore actively seek it out

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Oooh, perhaps the Ephus Defence fleet turn rogue in the absence of the Dread Lords,

An Imperial Navy fleet's captains decide to carve their own empire out of the Dread Lords' domain, in the Chapter's absence? Good idea.

and so the chapter sees them all as ripe for the picking, regardless of what the Imperial Navy may say?

That can justify the Chapter seizing enemy ships for its own use- "These are pirate ships, and legally ours to do as we wish, now that we executed the pirates as the criminals they are! These are not Imperial Navy ships- not since their captains betrayed their oaths to the Emperor- and we have no legal obligation to hand them over to you!"

 

Be aware the Imperial Navy will still complain about such behavior, to the High Lords of Terra; that will likely cause tensions between it and the Chapter, which may then delay any Imperial Navy responses to the Dread Lords' calls for aid.

Perhaps prior to the burning of Ephus they aren't at all specialised in void warfare, and only after they have accumulated a decent fleet from the rogue elements do they become such a potent space force?

Makes sense.

I had been thinking however about using press gangs for recruitment, starting from the Battles of Shame - for them it might be more logical to think that their honour was already irredeemably tarnished, so they may as well turn to extreme methods, living up to the "Dread" part of the Chapter's new name;

Robbie MacNiven's Red Tithe has the Carcharodons seize inmates from an Imperial prison colony, for this purpose. Say the Dread Lords have "agreements" with certain prison colonies- agreements still in place millennia after those colonies were further developed into agri-worlds, forge worlds, and other productive worlds for the Emperor?

 

Say some planets have "Months of Dread" in which "dread beasts" (death world predators and aesthetically modified combat servitors, with which the Chapter may test potential recruits) are unleashed upon them, forcing their people to fight for their lives; followed by "Months of Mourning" in which the Dread Lords come to recover the "dread beasts" (which have tracking devices implanted in them) and press into the Chapter's service those who demonstrated the qualities the Chaplains desire in their recruits? That these events occur every 50 years, such that children doubt their grandfathers when the latter speak of such dread, only to regret their doubt when the Dread Lords return?

however, perhaps there could also be those who believe that the chapter as a whole may retrieve its reputation through some [as yet unknown] act of heroism, though perhaps this could lead to the destruction of the chapter - some may believe this is an acceptable price to pay even, and therefore actively seek it out

For the Dread Lords' sake, I hope the Chapter exiles those who believe such messianic nonsense, FAR, FAR AWAY- maybe to the Deathwatch- so the believers won't lead the Chapter down a "self-sacrificing" (self-destructive) path. Edited February 25, 2021 by Bjorn Firewalker

[Brother Lunkhead]

Very fine start Doctor Perils  

 

Nice work on the heraldry and livery. I like them both.

 

Burning of Ephus 

However, a particularly violent uprising of the scholar world's students forced the Sentinels to lead reprisals against them, during which ancient munitions depots hidden below the planet's surface were detonated, causing a deflagration throughout the world's concentrated hab-tunnels, incinerating every single being upon the planet.

I take it that this was not the intent of the exercise.... In my mind, I see Chapter Master Aita turning to a brother marine and exclaiming, "Oops"

Either way, I like this too.

 

Unfortunately, he was mortally wounded before his Master died, and was interred in one of the Dreadnoughts of his chapter. He went on to fight in several battles, but it seems his new existence must have been unbearable to him, for he started to throw himself into the most unequal battles, apparently aiming at ending his life in the heat of battle. Rather than run the risk of losing a relic as important as a Dreadnought Sarcophagus, the Dread Lords were obliged to put an end to the life of one of their greatest heroes.

I also like this. The fact that many cannot bear being interred in a dreadnought chassis is alluded to in both codices and fiction. Only the greatest heroes are entombed in these rare war machines and it is a great tragedy when one must be removed and allowed to die.

 

Looking forward to seeing more

Edited February 25, 2021 by Brother Lunkhead

[Doctor Perils]

I've started updating with the kind C&C. New stuff in maroon, a section I know I want to change the phrasing of is underlined.

new version:

THE DREAD LORDS

The Dread Lords were the sole surviving loyalist Space Marine Chapter claiming the Sarment Sector as their home at the dawn of the 42nd Millenium. Their battle honours are great, yet they maintain their hereditary disgrace is a stain greater than may be effaced by the long list of heroic deeds.

Summary

Founding Chapter = ...Ultramarines (trained by Novamarines)

Genesire = ................Roboute Guilliman

Founding = ................Unknown

Chapter Master = .......Livio Aita

Homeworld = .............The Starfort Port-Cullis

Main Colours = ..........Burgundy, silver and black

Chapter Specialities = Void Warfare and Drop Pod Assault

Strength = ................(currently) 763 marines of the line, 92 officers and specialists (287 Primaris)

Organisation = ..........Slight Codex Variance

History

Origins

The Dread Lords were once known as the Void Sentinels, Defenders of the Sarment Sector, Guardians of the scholar planet Ephus, and Castellans of the Starfort Port-Cullis.

Burning of Ephus

The surface of Ephus Prime received too little stellar radiation from the brown dwarf it orbited for life to develop independently there, leading to its primary designation as a dead world: in actuality it was far from being truly dead at the time of the Void Sentinels' implantation, as its peculiar environment made it an ideal location for fragile objects, such as books and scrolls. Given the rare secondary classification of scholar world, Ephus became a bustling centre of academic business - professors, students and sellers of bibelots of doubtful provenance congregating together to learn and record obscure and arcane knowledge.

This however all came to an end during a worldwide violent student's uprising. A company of the Void Sentinels descended upon the rioters to reestablish the Emperor's peace; but in the midst of combat, a stray shot from an unknown fighter caused an explosion deep in the underbelly of a series of labyrinthine vaults. Within, were more artefacts which had been hidden away from the weak stellar radiation: caches of ancient munitions dating back to the dark days of the Horus Heresy, preserved for millenia thanks to the particular conditions upon Ephus Prime in full working condition. Among them, thousands of cannisters of one of the most dreaded substances known to Man: Phosphex.

The combattants killed outright by the detonation were the lucky ones. The crawling horror ravaged the hab-complexes, incinerating every single being upon the planet; devouring still-screaming corpses as their last breaths were sucked from their melting lungs.

To this day, the last dessicated husks piloting the eldest of the Chapter's dreadnoughts are kept far away from bare flames, for the sight brings back terrible memories best forgotten, even by Space Marines.

These dire events shook the Chapter to its core, as they took upon themselves the guilt for this atrocity. In penance, the Astartes vowed to undertake a new crusade to wash away their dishonour, staining their armour with the silver flames of Phosphex that burnt Ephus and its population. Then, they took off on their quest through the stars under a new name: Dread Lords.

Battles of Shame

Following the Burning of Ephus, the Dread Lords pursued a crusade to salvage what remained of their honour. Leaving behind them Port-Cullis in the hands of Battlefleet Sarment, they launched their entire armada into the stars for the first time in centuries, and participating in many a campaign by the side of other Imperial Forces, such as the Imperial Navy, the Frateris Templars, and other Space Marine chapters - it would soon transpire though that they in fact fought for the despotic Give Vandire as he usurped the true will of the Emperor and Humanity. The Dread Lords, enraged by this discovery, made ready to mount an assault upon the Ecclesiarchy alongside their brother chapters, but by then the tyrant had already been deposed. Rage turning to dismay, the chapter turned their sights upon other foes, in an effort to relaunch a more meritorious penitent crusade; but events within their old home-sector would call them back to their roots.

The Phryx War

[/color]In a sick twist of fate, the majority of the documents upon the world were left unscathed by the deflagration, as they were stored outside the air-sealed hab-complexes. They were to become a grave town for the memories and teachings[/color]

In the millennium of the Dread Lords' absence from the Sarment Sector, diverse groups of explorers and archaeotechnologists had congregated upon the ruins of Ephus, mostly in search of fame and fortune. Some believed the scattered scraps of documents might hold the keys to unknown treasures, others calculated that some of the hidden arsenals may still be intact, concealing deadly weapons to further their own goals. Generally, they would be disappointed, though some perished from the unyielding environment or from clashes with rivals.

Thus did the Xenos species recently identified as the Phryx discover the world. With only a fledgling stellar empire, they had been largely ignored by the Imperium up until then, but when they annexed the ruin of Ephus with little to no fight-back from the explorers on its surface, they were able to acquire extensive records and maps describing the sector in minute detail. In a matter of decades, they were propelled to prominence on the stage of the Sarment Sector, absorbing strategically significant worlds and countering the greatest minds of the imperial defences.

In desperation, the governors of the sector called for help from the Adeptus Astartes, and the Space Marines responded. At their forefront, the Dread Lords returned to their home grounds, unleashing a withering series of attacks against the Phryx homeworlds and succeeding in retaking Ephus after a reckless orbital siege of the unassuming rock. There is no doubt in the minds of imperial historians that the Dread Lords' actions were pivotal in turning the tide of the First Phryx War, probably in part thanks to the evolution of their tactics during the Battles of Shame, thus entirely misleading Phryx strategists who believed they had correctly analysed the Void Sentinels' battleplans; what the historians fail to mention is how close the Dread Lords came to being extinguished during this campaign, as the reckless abandon of their assaults brought down their numbers to barely above 200.

Homeworld and Fortress Monastery

Ephus Prime

Port-Cullis

Port-Cullis is the massive Ramilies-pattern starfort the Dread Lords use as a fortress-monastery and the homeport of their fleet. Usually tethered in orbit over Ephus, it has several times been taken to war by the Dread Lords, in particular during their two penitent crusades.

Combat Doctrine

It would seem that since their inception, the Dread Lords have relied heavily on their extensive Chapter Fleet in all aspects of their warfare, whether it be for their propensity for void battles or for Drop Pod Assaults.

Their habit of fighting in starships and Space Hulks has also given them a good knowledge of fighting in close confines, making them experts of the skirmish fields classified as Zones-Mortalis.

The weapon of choice of most Dread Lords is the holy bolter, which is versatile enough to take on most threats before they can become dangerous in close combat. They distrust plasma weaponry, for this can become deadly for the wielder and his squad mates in tunnels and corridors, though they do not shun it. They utilise flame and graviton weaponry more often because of its extreme efficiency in these scenarios, yet it seems it is more by obligation than choice. Finally, the best marksmen of the Dread Lords are entrusted with meltaguns: range is not an issue generally while fighting in a starship, yet decompression is a danger that Dread Lords feel far more concerned about than the explosions of enemy fire.

Though the Dread Lords employ a limited arsenal of battle tanks, they do make greater use of their fallen brothers in Dreadnought form than most chapters: such walkers are often necessary to bring heavy weapons to bear where conventional vehicles would struggle.

Appearance

Chapter colours

The Dread Lords bear armour the colour of the burnt earth of Ephus, variously described as burgundy or murrey, with certain tactical markings in black. This is enhanced with silver-white flames, yet these are unusual among Astartes markings as they are marks of shame as opposed to marks of honour. Upon a neophyte's elevation to the rank of Battle Brother, their armour will bear no flames, and only when they do not perform up to the exacting - even unattainable - standards of the Chapter's Chaplains do they paint these symbols of disgrace.

Chapter Badge and markings

The Chapter's emblem is a broken twelve-pointed star, encircling a skull. This symbol is repeated on both pauldrons, where possible. Tactical markings are inscribed upon an Astartes' kneepads, company device on the left knee, codex squad marking and number on the right.

Notable Ships of the Dread Lords

• Shattered Star - Chapter Master's personal Battle-Barge
• Tarist's Vengeance - Garoth Tarist's famous Strike Cruiser. It was renamed in his honour after his sacrifice in the battle of Diamell

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[Bjorn Firewalker]

The additional details are welcome. Use of flames as marks of shame, is an original idea.

 

Nitpick, with my emphasis:

The surface of Ephus Prime received too little stellar radiation from the brown dwarf it orbited for life to develop independently there, leading to its primary designation as a dead world:

As Ephus Prime was inhabited before the ancient munitions cache detonated, shouldn't "dead world" be its INITIAL designation?

Was Ephus Prime resettled during or after the Dread Lords' penitent crusade, meaning it's a DEATH world instead of a DEAD world?

[Doctor Perils]

Mainly adding some stuff to the history section here - I decided to make the pirate captain a woman mid-way through writing the character (when I realised they'd have to be a descendant of the first officer for the dates to line up), and I know I've missed some edits to that, but I'm too tired to go back and change it at this time.

Hope you like the changes

new version:

THE DREAD LORDS

The Dread Lords were the sole surviving loyalist Space Marine Chapter claiming the Sarment Sector as their home at the dawn of the 42nd Millenium. Their battle honours are great, yet they maintain their hereditary disgrace is a stain greater than may be effaced by the long list of heroic deeds.

Summary

Founding Chapter = ...Ultramarines (trained by Novamarines)

Genesire = ................Roboute Guilliman

Founding = ................Unknown

Chapter Master = .......Livio Aita

Homeworld = .............The Starfort Port-Cullis

Main Colours = ..........Burgundy, silver and black

Chapter Specialities = Void Warfare and Drop Pod Assault

Strength = ................(currently) 763 marines of the line, 92 officers and specialists (287 Primaris)

Organisation = ..........Slight Codex Variance

History

Origins

The Dread Lords were once known as the Void Sentinels, Defenders of the Sarment Sector, Guardians of the scholar planet Ephus, and Castellans of the Starfort Port-Cullis.

Burning of Ephus

The surface of Ephus Prime received too little stellar radiation from the brown dwarf it orbited for life to develop independently there, leading to its primary designation as a dead world: in actuality it was far from being truly dead at the time of the Void Sentinels' implantation, as its peculiar environment made it an ideal location for fragile objects, such as books and scrolls. Given the rare secondary classification of scholar world, Ephus became a bustling centre of academic business - professors, students and sellers of bibelots of doubtful provenance congregating together to learn and record obscure and arcane knowledge.

This however all came to an end during a worldwide violent student's uprising. A company of the Void Sentinels descended upon the rioters to reestablish the Emperor's peace; but in the midst of combat, a stray shot from an unknown fighter caused an explosion deep in the underbelly of a series of labyrinthine vaults. Within, were more artefacts which had been hidden away from the weak stellar radiation: caches of ancient munitions dating back to the dark days of the Horus Heresy, preserved for millenia thanks to the particular conditions upon Ephus Prime in full working condition. Among them, thousands of cannisters of one of the most dreaded substances known to Man: Phosphex.

The combattants killed outright by the detonation were the lucky ones. The crawling horror ravaged the hab-complexes, incinerating every single being upon the planet; devouring still-screaming corpses as their last breaths were sucked from their melting lungs.

To this day, the last dessicated husks piloting the eldest of the Chapter's dreadnoughts are kept far away from bare flames, for the sight brings back terrible memories best forgotten, even by Space Marines.

These dire events shook the Chapter to its core, as they took upon themselves the guilt for this atrocity. In penance, the Astartes vowed to undertake a new crusade to wash away their dishonour, staining their armour with the silver flames of Phosphex that burnt Ephus and its population. Then, they took off on their quest through the stars under a new name: Dread Lords.

Battles of Shame

Following the Burning of Ephus, the Dread Lords pursued a crusade to salvage what remained of their honour. After granting Battlefleet Sarment their ancient fortress-monastery Port-Cullis - a Ramilies-Class starfort immobilised in orbit around Ephus - Chapter Master Arend launched their entire armada into the stars for the first time in centuries, in search of their fate and doom.

Requesting orders from the Adeptus Administratum in order to take on the most dangerous missions, they were to participate in many a campaign by the side of the Imperial Guard, the Imperial Navy, the Frateris Templars, and even a few other Space Marine chapters, putting down a widespread series of heretical rebellions against the authority of Terra. Only when envoys from their progenitors, the Novamarines, would the truth of these wars transpire: they had in fact been fighting for the despot Goge Vandire as he usurped the true will of the Emperor and Humanity to consolidate his Reign of Blood.

The horror they felt at the realisation they had in fact been slaughtering faithful subjects of the Imperium over a period of decades was further enhanced when the Novamarines taught them of the fate of their home sector during the Age of Apostasy: a large chaos incursion had emerged from the Psyphon to overturn all Imperial power there, reducing its population to slavery and slaying any Imperial Guard and PDF regiment that dared stand up to them.

Making all haste to return to Sarment, the Dread Lords were joined by a newly formed chapter of the Imperial Fists' line to retake the Sector from the forces of the Archenemy. They coordinated a unified strategy for the crusade of reconquest, one whose opening play would be at Ephus Prime.

Siege of Port-Cullis

Master Arend's plan was to capture and fortify their ancient seat, calculating this would cut off the Heretics' potential reinforcements from the Warp Storm known as the Psyphon and provide a morale boosting easy victory.

They had not banked upon their oponent at Port-Cullis being the very same fleet officer to whom they had handed control of the Starfort all those decades ago, High-Captain Welton Blackwood. At the invasion of Chaos forces, the high-captain had led a general mutiny of Battlefleet Sarment and established a personal dominion for himself, a piratical tributary to the new Heretic overlords of the Sector. Now nicknamed the "Butcher", Blackwood was a canny officer who knew the battlefield like the back of his augmetic hand, perhaps moreso even than the Dread Lords themselves.

And yet, this was a battle the Dread Lords could not - must not - lose. They engaged.

While a gargantuan void battle was joined between two Space Marine Chapter fleets and the defeneders of Port-Cullis, the Dread Lords launched boarding torpedoes against their own ancestral home. Many were shot out of the void, their wreckage tumbling out and down to crash upon the ruins of Ephus; yet, enough managed to get through the barrage, unleashing their deadly cargo of enraged Astartes upon the crew of the Starfort. As they tore their way through the traitors, more Dread Lords teleported on board - their Chapter Master at their head - bearing hulking suits of Tactical Dreadnought Armour, thereby condemning the paultry defences. And yet, Master Arend's instincts told him something was wrong...

As the Terminators melted down the Bulkhead doors to the bridge, they discovered the reason that they had felt little resistance: their foe, Blackwood, had not been in command, the pirates' retaliation barely more than an eratic flailing.

Seemingly at the same moment, a flotilla burst out of the warp in close proximity to the planet, and greeted a shoal of lighters rising to meet them. Too late, Master Arend realised what these represented, and ordered his own fleet to intercept the new arrivals. Unfortunately, the rest of the Heretics' fleet held their line, holding back the Imperial forces just long enough for the flotilla to escape back into the warp. Still, as the Dread Lords' ships reduced the remaining pirates to ash and wreckage, the sons of Dorn leapt into the warp snapping at the escapees' heels. "A pack of rabid wolves" would be the words written in Bogomil Arend's report of the battle, probably inspiring the VIIth's successors new name of War Wolves.

As the War Wolves returned - reporting having lost the Butcher's flotilla in the Xenos-controled Phryx Space - Master Arend inspected the state of his remaining forces. Though the Dread Lords were by now an old and established Chapter, accumulated losses during their Penitent Crusade meant that they would need to scale back their participation in the Reconquest Crusade, taking a back seat to the junior Chapter's involvement.

[?]

The Phryx War

Following the end of the reconquest of Sarment, a period of relative stability allowed the Imperium to build up their grasp over the worlds there, constructing defences and other infrastructure, fostering re-population programs, and most importantly, conducting a vast campaign to purify any planet The Heretic had set foot upon. In the background, though, the next crisis for the Sector was brewing.

Upon the world of Ephus Prime, there remained swathes of documents scattered upon the surface. In a sick twist of fate, the majority of the documents upon the world were left unscathed by the deflagration, as they were stored outside the air-sealed hab-complexes. They were to become a grave town for the memories and teachings

In the half-millennium of the Dread Lords' absence from the Sarment Sector, diverse groups of explorers and archaeotechnologists had congregated in the ruins of Ephus, mostly in search of fame and fortune. Some believed the scattered scraps of documents might hold the keys to unknown treasures, others calculated that some of the hidden arsenals may still be intact, concealing deadly weapons to further their own goals. Generally, they would be disappointed, though some perished from the unyielding environment or from clashes with rivals.

Butcher Blackwood, upon taking control of Port-Cullis, started to systematise the research amongst the rubble. Where few had gleaned any useful information, the Butcher retrieved swathes of knowledge of the Sarment Sector, records that had been mostly overlooked by the treasure hunters. She understood the value of this knowledge, and used it as her primary tribute to her Iron Warrior overlords. When she heard of the fall of the Apostate Vandire though, she knew the days of her dominion were numbered - she descended to Ephus to conduct a last-ditch effort to retrieve any and all documents that could fit in all the lighters she could muster, ready to make her getaway at the moment Imperial Forces appeared in system. As she escaped by the skin of her teeth, she made her way to the small area of space controlled by a fledgling race of Xenos, the Phryx.

The Phryx had been largely ignored by the Imperium up until then, as the worlds they controlled were judged too worthless in comparison to the cost of their extermination. The acquisition of the Butcher's treasure trove of extensive records and maps describing the sector in minute detail would change the course of their history and development. In a matter of decades, they were propelled to prominence on the stage of the Sarment Sector, absorbing strategically significant worlds and countering the greatest minds of the imperial defences.

In desperation, the governors of the Sector called for help from the Adeptus Astartes, and the Space Marines responded. At their forefront, the Dread Lords returned to their home grounds, unleashing a withering series of attacks against the Phryx homeworlds and succeeding in retaking Ephus after a reckless orbital siege of the unassuming rock. There is no doubt in the minds of imperial historians that the Dread Lords' actions were pivotal in turning the tide of the First Phryx War, probably in part thanks to the evolution of their tactics during the Battles of Shame, thus entirely misleading Phryx strategists who believed they had correctly analysed the Void Sentinels' battleplans; what the historians fail to mention is how close the Dread Lords came to being extinguished during this campaign, as the reckless abandon of their assaults brought down their numbers to barely above 200.

Homeworld and Fortress Monastery

Ephus Prime

Port-Cullis

Port-Cullis is the massive Ramilies-pattern starfort the Dread Lords use as a fortress-monastery and the homeport of their fleet. Usually tethered in orbit over Ephus, it has several times been taken to war by the Dread Lords, in particular during their two penitent crusades.

Combat Doctrine

It would seem that since their inception, the Dread Lords have relied heavily on their extensive Chapter Fleet in all aspects of their warfare, whether it be for their propensity for void battles or for Drop Pod Assaults.

Their habit of fighting in starships and Space Hulks has also given them a good knowledge of fighting in close confines, making them experts of the skirmish fields classified as Zones-Mortalis.

The weapon of choice of most Dread Lords is the holy bolter, which is versatile enough to take on most threats before they can become dangerous in close combat. They distrust plasma weaponry, for this can become deadly for the wielder and his squad mates in tunnels and corridors, though they do not shun it. They utilise flame and graviton weaponry more often because of its extreme efficiency in these scenarios, yet it seems it is more by obligation than choice. Finally, the best marksmen of the Dread Lords are entrusted with meltaguns: range is not an issue generally while fighting in a starship, yet decompression is a danger that Dread Lords feel far more concerned about than the explosions of enemy fire.

Though the Dread Lords employ a limited arsenal of battle tanks, they do make greater use of their fallen brothers in Dreadnought form than most chapters: such walkers are often necessary to bring heavy weapons to bear where conventional vehicles would struggle.

Appearance

Chapter colours

The Dread Lords bear armour the colour of the burnt earth of Ephus, variously described as burgundy or murrey, with certain tactical markings in black. This is enhanced with silver-white flames, yet these are unusual among Astartes markings as they are marks of shame as opposed to marks of honour. Upon a neophyte's elevation to the rank of Battle Brother, their armour will bear no flames, and only when they do not perform up to the exacting - even unattainable - standards of the Chapter's Chaplains do they paint these symbols of disgrace.

Chapter Badge and markings

The Chapter's emblem is a broken twelve-pointed star, encircling a skull. This symbol is repeated on both pauldrons, where possible. Tactical markings are inscribed upon an Astartes' kneepads, company device on the left knee, codex squad marking and number on the right.

Notable Ships of the Dread Lords

• Shattered Star - Chapter Master's personal Battle-Barge
• Tarist's Vengeance - Garoth Tarist's famous Strike Cruiser. It was renamed in his honour after his sacrifice in the battle of Diamell

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[Zebulon]

This is very good, particularly the description of the disaster which led to the change of chapter name and the guilt/ stain on honour which continues to drive the chapter.

 

One thing I notice, what is the unique variant “Predator Avenger” that you speak of? It is quite a claim that this chapter should have a unique tank. Have the AdMech shown up demanding blueprints yet?

 

Ooh, and what about if instead of the flames being painted on, the burgundy is stripped from the armour to reveal the silver beneath? Evoking the fate of those who were burnt by the phosphex?

[Trokair]

I read the latest version posted a few days and only skimmed the rest of the thread. Looking interesting so far, a few comments if I may.

 

What idiot in the Administratum decided to store Phosphex in such a concentrated manner?

 

While I can see the chapter putting down ‘rebellions’ on behalf of Goge Vandire I find it more difficult to accept that this lasted for decades. Putting down one or two or even a few is one thing, but after a small number of rebellions where the rebels are waving imperial iconography at you and so on surly you get suspicious. Maybe have the first action of the newly crusading chapter be against actual rebels, and then after a few (and only a few, a year or two at most) more that were against faithful/loyal subjects the Marines are already suspicious when the envoys from the Novamarines arrive. Attacking loyal citizen/worlds is shameful enough, and the insult to their honour of being used should sting enough as it is, especially as they were already trying to redeem themselves.

 

I also find it hard to believe that no news of their former home and star-fort had reached them during this time, not even a trickle of information of rumours? Also, while the star fort was not mobile, and a crusading chapter would not have much of a use for it, it still seems a significant assets to just had over, especially if it was their fortress monastery with all their history and tools and so on in it. Now I know a lot/all could potentially have been moved to ships of the fleet, but that is still a radical move.

 

Maybe have the star-port be the imperial administrator the entire time, and the Marines just used part of it for docking their ships and such, but their actual HQ was down on the surface. When the marines left for their crusade they vacate the berths and surrounding space in the star-port and it gets reassigned to the Imperial Navy with a fleet under Blackwood coming in to be stationed there.

 

Under home world you state that the chapter took the star port with them at times, this seems to contradict the need to hand it over to the Imperial Fleet under Blackwood.  

[Doctor Perils]

new version:

THE DREAD LORDS

The Dread Lords were the sole surviving loyalist Space Marine Chapter claiming the Sarment Sector as their home at the dawn of the 42nd Millenium. Their battle honours are great, yet they maintain their hereditary disgrace is a stain greater than may be effaced by the long list of heroic deeds.

Summary

Founding Chapter = ...Ultramarines (trained by Novamarines)

Genesire = ................Roboute Guilliman

Founding = ................Unknown

Chapter Master = .......Livio Aita

Homeworld = .............The Starfort Port-Cullis

Main Colours = ..........Burgundy, silver and black

Chapter Specialities = Void Warfare and Drop Pod Assault

Strength = ................(currently) 763 marines of the line, 92 officers and specialists (287 Primaris)

Organisation = ..........Slight Codex Variance

History

Origins

The Dread Lords were once known as the Void Sentinels, Defenders of the Sarment Sector, Guardians of the scholar planet Ephus, and Castellans of the Starfort Port-Cullis.

Burning of Ephus

The surface of Ephus Prime received too little stellar radiation from the brown dwarf it orbited for life to develop independently there, leading to its primary designation as a dead world: in actuality it was far from being truly dead at the time of the Void Sentinels' implantation, as its peculiar environment made it an ideal location for fragile objects, such as books and scrolls. Given the rare secondary classification of scholar world, Ephus became a bustling centre of academic business - professors, students and sellers of bibelots of doubtful provenance congregating together to learn and record obscure and arcane knowledge.

This however all came to an end during a worldwide violent student's uprising. A company of the Void Sentinels descended upon the rioters to reestablish the Emperor's peace; but in the midst of combat, a stray shot from an unknown fighter caused an explosion deep in the underbelly of a series of labyrinthine vaults. Within, were more artefacts which had been hidden away from the weak stellar radiation: caches of ancient munitions dating back to the dark days of the Horus Heresy, preserved for millenia thanks to the particular conditions upon Ephus Prime in full working condition. Among them, thousands of cannisters of one of the most dreaded substances known to Man: Phosphex.

The combattants killed outright by the detonation were the lucky ones. The crawling horror ravaged the hab-complexes, incinerating every single being upon the planet; devouring still-screaming corpses as their last breaths were sucked from their melting lungs.

To this day, the last dessicated husks piloting the eldest of the Chapter's dreadnoughts are kept far away from bare flames, for the sight brings back terrible memories best forgotten, even by Space Marines.

These dire events shook the Chapter to its core, as they took upon themselves the guilt for this atrocity. In penance, the Astartes vowed to undertake a new crusade to wash away their dishonour, staining their armour with the silver flames of Phosphex that burnt Ephus and its population. Then, they took off on their quest through the stars under a new name: Dread Lords.

Battles of Shame

Following the Burning of Ephus, the Dread Lords pursued a crusade to salvage what remained of their honour. After granting Battlefleet Sarment their ancient fortress-monastery Port-Cullis - a Ramilies-Class starfort immobilised in orbit around Ephus - Chapter Master Bogomir launched their entire armada into the stars for the first time in centuries, in search of their fate and doom.

Requesting orders from the Adeptus Administratum in order to take on the most dangerous missions, their penitent crusade lasted for several centuries around the turn of M36. The Dread Lords participated in many a campaign by the side of the Imperial Guard, the Imperial Navy, the Frateris Templars, and even a few other Space Marine chapters, putting down a widespread series of heretical rebellions against the authority of Terra. Only when envoys from their progenitors, the Novamarines, met them did the truth of these wars transpire: they had in fact been fighting for the despot Goge Vandire as he usurped the true will of the Emperor and Humanity to consolidate his Reign of Blood.

The horror they felt at the realisation they had in fact been slaughtering faithful subjects of the Imperium over a period of decades was further enhanced when the Novamarines taught them of the fate of their home sector during the Age of Apostasy: a large chaos incursion had emerged from the Psyphon to overturn all Imperial power there, reducing its population to slavery and slaying any Imperial Guard and PDF regiment that dared stand up to them.

Making all haste to return to Sarment, the Dread Lords coordinated a unified strategy for the crusade of reconquest over the forces of the archenemy. Leading a force of seven Imperial Guard regiments, a detachment of the Adeptus Mechanicus, three Imperial Knights and a newly formed chapter which would soon gain its name of War Wolves, their opening play would be at Ephus Prime.

Siege of Port-Cullis

Master Bogomir's plan was to capture and fortify their ancient seat, calculating this would cut off the Heretics' potential reinforcements from the Warp Storm known as the Psyphon and provide a morale boosting easy victory.

They had not anticipated that their oponent at Port-Cullis was in fact the heir to the fleet officer to whom they had handed control of the Starfort all those centuries ago, High-Captain Welton Blackwood. At the invasion of Chaos forces, the high-captain had led a general mutiny of Battlefleet Sarment and established a personal dominion, a piratical tributary loyal to the new Heretic overlords of the Sector even after his daughter Mara succeeded him. Now nicknamed the "Butcher", Blackwood was a canny officer who had grown up on the starfort and knew the battlefield like the back of her augmetic hand, perhaps moreso even than the Dread Lords themselves.

And yet, this was a battle the Dread Lords could not - must not - lose. They engaged.

While a gargantuan void battle was joined between two Space Marine Chapter fleets and the defenders of Port-Cullis, the Dread Lords launched boarding torpedoes against their own ancestral home. Many were shot out of the void, their wreckage tumbling out and down to crash upon the ruins of Ephus; yet, enough managed to get through the barrage, unleashing their deadly cargo of enraged Astartes upon the crew of the Starfort. As they tore their way through the traitors, more Dread Lords teleported on board - their Chapter Master at their head - bearing hulking suits of Tactical Dreadnought Armour, thereby condemning the paultry defences. And yet, Master Bogomir's instincts told him something was wrong...

As the Terminators melted down the Bulkhead doors to the bridge, they discovered the reason that they had felt little resistance: their foe, Blackwood, had not been in command, the pirates' retaliation barely more than an eratic flailing.

Seemingly at the same moment, a flotilla burst out of the warp in close proximity to the planet, and greeted a shoal of lighters rising to meet them. Too late, Master Bogomir realised what these represented, and ordered his own fleet to intercept the new arrivals. Unfortunately, the rest of the Heretics' fleet held their line, holding back the Imperial forces just long enough for the flotilla to escape back into the warp. Filled with rage at the escape of their quary, the Dread Lords and their allies reduced the remaining pirates to ash and wreckage, but the cost of the battle would be devastating to the sons of Guilliman. As Master Bogomir inspected the state of his remaining forces, he was forced to contend with the sad evidence: though the Dread Lords were by now an old and established Chapter, the casualties suffered during the Siege of Port-Cullis on top of the accumulated losses during their Penitent Crusade meant that they would need to scale back their participation in the Sarment Crusade, taking a back seat to the Guard and the junior Chapter's involvement. While they would hold Ephus for the remainder of the campaign, and even helped in a few minor void battles, the bulk of the Dread Lords' involvement was done.

The Phryx War

Following the end of the reconquest of Sarment, a period of relative stability allowed the Imperium to build up their grasp over the worlds there, constructing defences and other infrastructure, fostering re-population programs, and most importantly, conducting a vast campaign to purify any planet The Heretic had set foot upon. In the background, though, the next crisis for the Sector was brewing.

Upon the world of Ephus Prime, there remained swathes of documents scattered upon the surface. In a sick twist of fate, the majority of the documents upon the world were left unscathed by the deflagration, as they were stored outside the air-sealed hab-complexes. They were to become a grave town for the memories and teachings

In the half-millennium of the Dread Lords' absence from the Sarment Sector, diverse groups of explorers and archaeotechnologists had congregated in the ruins of Ephus, mostly in search of fame and fortune. Some believed the scattered scraps of documents might hold the keys to unknown treasures, others calculated that some of the hidden arsenals may still be intact, concealing deadly weapons to further their own goals. Generally, they would be disappointed, though some perished from the unyielding environment or from clashes with rivals.

Mara Blackwood, upon taking control of Port-Cullis, started to systematise the research amongst the rubble. Where few had gleaned any useful information, the Butcher retrieved swathes of knowledge of the Sarment Sector, records that had been mostly overlooked by the treasure hunters. She understood the value of this knowledge, and used it as her primary tribute to her Iron Warrior overlords. When she heard of the fall of the Apostate Vandire though, she knew the days of her dominion were numbered - she descended to Ephus to conduct a last-ditch effort to retrieve any and all documents that could fit in all the lighters she could muster, ready to make her getaway at the moment Imperial Forces appeared in system. As she escaped by the skin of her teeth, she made her way to the small area of space controlled by a fledgling race of Xenos, the Phryx.

The Phryx had been largely ignored by the Imperium up until then, as the worlds they controlled were judged too worthless in comparison to the cost of their extermination. The acquisition of the Butcher's treasure trove of extensive records and maps describing the sector in minute detail would change the course of their history and development. In a matter of decades, they were propelled to prominence on the stage of the Sarment Sector, absorbing strategically significant worlds and countering the greatest minds of the imperial defences.

In desperation, the governors of the Sector called for help from the Adeptus Astartes, and the Space Marines responded. The Dread Lords had pressed into service hundreds of aspirants from throughout the Sector - with a distinct preference for planets and stations used as recruitment grounds for Battlefleet Sarment - and used this Xenos war as a baptism of fire, unleashing a withering series of attacks against the Phryx homeworlds. There is no doubt in the minds of imperial historians that the Dread Lords' actions were pivotal in turning the tide of the First Phryx War, probably in part thanks to the evolution of their tactics during the Battles of Shame, thus entirely misleading Phryx strategists who believed they had correctly analysed the Void Sentinels' battleplans; what the historians fail to mention is how many of their aspirants the Dread Lords lost during this campaign, as the reckless abandon of their assaults brought down their numbers to barely above 200, further delaying the chapter's restoration to full strength by dozens of years.

[?]

Borromeanite Conflict

Millenia after the First Phryx War, in the waning years of M41, the Dread Lords found themselves in alliance with the Borromeanite Conclave of the Inquisition when these were declared Excommunicate Traitoris. Fighting a defensive battle, the Borromeanite forces were eventually captured or annihilated, with only the Dread Lords allowed to go once more on a Penitent Crusade. Having learnt from past mistakes, Chapter Master Livio Aita requests aid from the Adeptus Mechanicus in refurbishing Port-Cullis, allowing the chapter to take their Fortress Monastery to war for the first time since the Horus Heresy.

Homeworld and Fortress Monastery

Ephus Prime

Ephus Prime is a blasted and desolate world. Once, it was a great centre of learning for the whole Sarment Sector despite its inhospitable surface conditions, its hab-complexes teeming with teachers and students. Since its Burning conducted by the Dread Lords, it has been a dead world in fact as well as in name. Still, it lies at a strategic position for the Imperium, lying at the junction between the Sector and the Warp Storm known as the Psyphon. And who knows: other secrets may still lie burried beneath its surface.

Port-Cullis

Port-Cullis is the massive Ramilies-pattern starfort the Dread Lords use as a fortress-monastery and the homeport of their fleet. Immobilised and tethered in orbit over Ephus, it has in recent decades been refurbished and taken to war by the Dread Lords in their Penitent Crusade following the Borromeanite Conflict.

Combat Doctrine

It would seem that since their inception, the Dread Lords have relied heavily on their extensive Chapter Fleet in all aspects of their warfare, whether it be for their propensity for void battles or for Drop Pod Assaults.

Their habit of fighting in starships and Space Hulks has also given them a good knowledge of fighting in close confines, making them experts of the skirmish fields classified as Zones-Mortalis.

The weapon of choice of most Dread Lords is the holy bolter, which is versatile enough to take on most threats before they can become dangerous in close combat. They distrust plasma weaponry, for this can become deadly for the wielder and his squad mates in tunnels and corridors, though they do not shun it. They utilise flame and graviton weaponry more often because of its extreme efficiency in these scenarios, yet it seems it is more by obligation than choice. Finally, the best marksmen of the Dread Lords are entrusted with meltaguns: range is not an issue generally while fighting in a starship, yet decompression is a danger that Dread Lords feel far more concerned about than the explosions of enemy fire.

Though the Dread Lords employ a limited arsenal of battle tanks, they do make greater use of their fallen brothers in Dreadnought form than most chapters: such walkers are often necessary to bring heavy weapons to bear where conventional vehicles would struggle.

Appearance

Chapter colours

The Dread Lords bear armour the colour of the burnt earth of Ephus, variously described as burgundy or murrey, with certain tactical markings in black. This is enhanced with silver-white flames, yet these are unusual among Astartes markings as they are marks of shame as opposed to marks of honour. Upon a neophyte's elevation to the rank of Battle Brother, their armour will bear no flames, and only when they do not perform up to the exacting - even unattainable - standards of the Chapter's Chaplains must they paint these symbols of disgrace.

Chapter Badge and markings

The Chapter's emblem is a broken twelve-pointed star, encircling a skull. This symbol is repeated on both pauldrons, where possible. Tactical markings are inscribed upon an Astartes' kneepads, company device on the left knee, codex squad marking and number on the right.

Chapter Fleet of the Dread Lords

The Dread Lords have always had a considerable fleet for a Space Marine Chapter, even compared to some Second Founding chapters. As the Void Sentinels, they were initially meant to be a rapid response force, able to send out flotillas in a matter of weeks to besieged worlds or to intercept enemy movements and reinforcements. Since becoming the Dread Lords though, they have increasingly resorted to seizing enemy ships and converting them to suit an Adeptus Astartes Chapter's needs, the only way for them to maintain a Fleet worthy of respect as their tactics have become ever more aggressive after their many shamings. While Imperial Navy Admirals have voiced its discontent at these confiscations - claiming that the rights to these ships should revert to them - they are secretly content with this so-called Dread Tithe as it means continued aid from the Astartes in question, whether from their fleet directly, or as an honour guard of Dread Lords stationed upon their flagships in the fiercest of engagements.

• Shattered Star - Chapter Master's personal Battle-Barge
• Tarist's Vengeance - Garoth Tarist's famous Strike Cruiser. It was renamed in his honour after his sacrifice in the battle of Diamell

• Trokair
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[Doctor Perils]

The additional details are welcome. Use of flames as marks of shame, is an original idea.

 

Nitpick, with my emphasis:

The surface of Ephus Prime received too little stellar radiation from the brown dwarf it orbited for life to develop independently there, leading to its primary designation as a dead world:

As Ephus Prime was inhabited before the ancient munitions cache detonated, shouldn't "dead world" be its INITIAL designation?

Was Ephus Prime resettled during or after the Dread Lords' penitent crusade, meaning it's a DEATH world instead of a DEAD world?

 

 From my understanding, certain worlds in 40k have multiple designations, generally one describing the planet itself and one its population, and sometimes its function: eg Fenris could variously be described as a Death World (the planet itself wants to kill you), as a Feral World (the population has a barely functional society, and its technology level might not even reach steel and gunpowder) and as an Astartes Homeworld.

 

In my case, Ephus (prime) is a Dead World (its surface cannot sustain life without artificial support) and a Scholar world - this doesn't really exist in 40k, perhaps as a Scholam World, or a weird form of Shrine World... Perhaps even a Paradise World depending on your point of view :P - but I couldn't find anything that could describe it better in the canon descriptors; however, there are so few of these that I can't imagine there not being dozens of rare classifications that exist in the Imperium, yet are generally not near major conflicts and are therefore not spotlighted in 40k fiction.

 

This is very good, particularly the description of the disaster which led to the change of chapter name and the guilt/ stain on honour which continues to drive the chapter.

 

One thing I notice, what is the unique variant “Predator Avenger” that you speak of? It is quite a claim that this chapter should have a unique tank. Have the AdMech shown up demanding blueprints yet?

 

Ooh, and what about if instead of the flames being painted on, the burgundy is stripped from the armour to reveal the silver beneath? Evoking the fate of those who were burnt by the phosphex?

Thanks, both for the compliments and the critiques :tu:

 

Yeah, the Predator Avenger is a holdover from a previous, (even?) more mary-sueish version of the DIY. I have considered just taking it out, but I figured it would be ok as I'm not claiming that it will forever be unique, more that it's just a design that has yet to meet full Mechanicus approval, and hasn't caught on much in other Chapters (like the Land Raiders Ares or Terminus Ultra). In your opinion, should I just remove it, or rephrase some of it to make it appear less special?

 

It's a good point - I'll admit, the idea of stripping away the paint sounds like it could be cool. However, having reflected on it, the Dread Lords have their concept of honour/dishonour the other way round. For them, their honour has already been entirely stripped away and replaced with an indelible shame. All they can do now is add yet more (personal) shames on top of the whole chapter's guilt (the initial sin if you will), or in very rare circumstances rub out their personal dishonours, nevertheless without even making a scratch in the chapter's shame. Does that make sense?

 

I read the latest version posted a few days and only skimmed the rest of the thread. Looking interesting so far, a few comments if I may.

 

What idiot in the Administratum decided to store Phosphex in such a concentrated manner?

 

While I can see the chapter putting down ‘rebellions’ on behalf of Goge Vandire I find it more difficult to accept that this lasted for decades. Putting down one or two or even a few is one thing, but after a small number of rebellions where the rebels are waving imperial iconography at you and so on surly you get suspicious. Maybe have the first action of the newly crusading chapter be against actual rebels, and then after a few (and only a few, a year or two at most) more that were against faithful/loyal subjects the Marines are already suspicious when the envoys from the Novamarines arrive. Attacking loyal citizen/worlds is shameful enough, and the insult to their honour of being used should sting enough as it is, especially as they were already trying to redeem themselves.

 

I also find it hard to believe that no news of their former home and star-fort had reached them during this time, not even a trickle of information of rumours? Also, while the star fort was not mobile, and a crusading chapter would not have much of a use for it, it still seems a significant assets to just had over, especially if it was their fortress monastery with all their history and tools and so on in it. Now I know a lot/all could potentially have been moved to ships of the fleet, but that is still a radical move.

 

Maybe have the star-port be the imperial administrator the entire time, and the Marines just used part of it for docking their ships and such, but their actual HQ was down on the surface. When the marines left for their crusade they vacate the berths and surrounding space in the star-port and it gets reassigned to the Imperial Navy with a fleet under Blackwood coming in to be stationed there.

 

Under home world you state that the chapter took the star port with them at times, this seems to contradict the need to hand it over to the Imperial Fleet under Blackwood.

Also thanks :tu:

Who even knows who does what in the Administratum? Even the person themselves probably wouldn't comprehend what they did most likely ;)

 

The thing is with the Reign of Blood is that the rebels were technically in open revolt against the Imperium - for the Dread Lords facing them, it doesn't matter that their cause may seem righteous, they are still renegades, just as much as the Alpha Legion ("for the Emperor" and all that) or the Ur-Council of Nova Terra. Still, it's a good point, I'll have to think of how to make the dates work were I to change it (I may not be using precise dates in the article, I'm still thinking about them behind the scenes). Mostly, I need the Dread Lords to be away from their home sector for a matter of centuries, and not have the Dread Lords launch themselves headlong into the Terran Crusade, as we know the exact chapters which took part in it in the canon, and the Dread Lords ain't one of them.

 

WRT to the news, the Dread Lords are pretty much tuning out a lot of extraneous information - after all, the Age of Apostasy is seeing open revolts against the Golden Throne, Chaos incursions, Xenos activity, and the like. Plus, we've seen how difficult information can be to get around between planets in normal time: when speaking about a mobile force that recently changed its name and heraldry, I imagine it as even more difficult.

Or they simply missed their investigation checks :p

For the Starfort, yeah, it's a big deal, but they see it as impossible to move - both on a technological level (though this belief will eventually prove incorrect) and a strategic level; and when a Chapter goes on a Penitent Crusade, the whole chapter goes on a penitent crusade, it's not just a handful that decide to go on a jaunt round the corner.

 

Having reread info on the wiki though (not always the most reliable, but hey ho) - they speak of them taking up to a century (as opposed to several centuries), and in that time, they forfeit both their homeworld and their recruitment rights: these are both handed back when (and if) the crusade is completed successfully. I should perhaps reword some of the history in light of that, but ultimately the underlying story is sound I believe - what do you think?

 

Yeah, I've changed the section about them taking the Star Fort with them prior to their second penitent crusade in my latest edit. The repairs aren't really described, but I think I'll try to tie it into some quest for the Mechanicus and some rare components eventually - perhaps raiding a Space Hulk?

 

 

 

 

I've also noticed I erased some of the example battles I'd written for them at one time, probably because they were tied into snowflakey chapter org changes. I'll see about editing them back in at some stage, but not before the first deadline for LASC 2021 - they aren't integral to their identity any more anyway.

[Bjorn Firewalker]

Is the Predator Avenger armed with the Avenger bolt cannon?

 

I personally have no problem with you kitbashing your own tank patterns for your Marines- I REPEATEDLY do so for my own- as long as you maintain certain limits, i.e., don't try to make this "Predator Avenger" a super duper flying land battlecruiser that can simultaneously transport 10 Terminators AND bear enough high Strength weapons to one shot kill a Titan AND outrun Elder flyers.

Edited March 29, 2021 by Bjorn Firewalker

[Doctor Perils]

Yup, that was the idea @Bjorn
 
Here's my old write up - I'm not sure there's all that much to change with it:
Chapter Armoury
Though the Dread Lords have fewer main tanks, land speeders and jump packs than a lot of chapters, for they fit less easily with the chapter's tactics.

On the other hand, they own lots of Dreadnoughts and Terminators - even a few examples of the venerable Tartaros pattern Tactical Dreadnought Armour.

The Dread Lords also maintain many boarding torpedoes, drop-pods, caestus assault rams, and other flyers, for these can be used for both boarding actions and planet-strike assaults.


The chapter's Techmarines have recently developed a new pattern of Predator battle-tank, called the Avenger by it's virtue of mounting an Avenger bolt cannon on its turret. It also has hurricane-bolter side-turrets. This tank was created to take care of the masses of poorly armoured enemies that are frequently encountered in the tight hallways of Zones Mortalis and Space Hulks, where it can also be dangerous to employ blast or flame weapons.

The first prototype of the Predator Avenger, Qusmat's Fury, saw the heat of battle for the first time during the Attack of the Broken Sun, and proved its worth against the thousands of Genestealer abominations that were raiding the Dread Lords' Fortress-Monastery. The design has now been submitted to the Adeptus Mechanicus and the Ordo Machinum for approval, but has also been given to the Legio Astartes (better known as the Legio Bolter and Chainsword), for their brother Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes.

 

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The Broken Sun has since been renamed Port-Cullis, and the attack on it has been changed, which is the main reason I haven't yet included it in the main article. In your opinions, should I drop the Hurricane Bolters for extra ammo storage?

[Bjorn Firewalker]

In your opinions, should I drop the Hurricane Bolters for extra ammo storage?

Drop the hurricane bolters (too heavy for the Predator chassis, in my opinion), but keep the sponsons for heavy bolters, heavy flamers, or lascannon. Alternatively, replace the sponsons with shield generators so the tank has an Invulnerable Save.

[Doctor Perils]

Fair point :) I'll see about adding that in soon :tu:

[Trokair]

So it is basicly a Baal Predetor, just different gun for simmilar effect. Seems ok. 

 

If huricnases are to heavy for the side, whay about  the quad bolter varient that one of the new Primaris tank has. 

[Ferrus Manus]

 

 

These dire events shook the Chapter to its core, as they took upon themselves the guilt for this atrocity. In penance, the Astartes vowed to undertake a new crusade to wash away their dishonour, staining their armour with the silver flames of Phosphex that burnt Ephus and its population. Then, they took off on their quest through the stars under a new name: Dread Lords.

 

I have to say, I like the symbolism here. Nice. 

 

 

 

what the historians fail to mention is how many of their aspirants the Dread Lords lost during this campaign, as the reckless abandon of their assaults brought down their numbers to barely above 200, further delaying the chapter's restoration to full strength by dozens of years.

 

Up to this point, it sounds like the Chapter has been through quite a lot. Has this developed into a 'the End justifies the Means' attitude in the Chapter?

 

 

 

Upon a neophyte's elevation to the rank of Battle Brother, their armour will bear no flames, and only when they do not perform up to the exacting - even unattainable - standards of the Chapter's Chaplains must they paint these symbols of disgrace.

 

This is interesting. So upon their ascension to the Chapter they are considered 'clean.' And it is only by making mistakes that they are marked out? Ha this lead to any factionism within the Chapter? Between the marked and unmarked?

 

+++++

 

This has to be one of the unluckiest Chapter's ever written   but the outline is pretty solid, not always the easiest to read as you tend to introduce new names and places without any context. I had to double back a few times to try and work out who/ what these places were. 

 

Looking forward to seeing more