Fluff Piece: Meduson's Mauraders

"No sightings of Meduson can currently be confirmed after the Battle of Dwell and the launching of Marr's hunter-killer force. The 'shadow network' that the scattered elements of the still-fighting legion survivors from Istvaan used became filled with conflicting tales, either that he fought on still, or that he had died either on Dwell or someplace else, caught by the Sons of Horus.

Shadrak Meduson's ultimate fate is currently in question, as his identity was at some point taken by none other than Alpharius, Primarch of the Alpha Legion himself. Assuming the mantle of Meduson and garbing a unit of his own marines in Iron Hand battlegear, Alpharius' disguise was completely undetectable by the members of the Iron Hands legion he met. Travelling in a vessel that appeared to be the Iron Heart, Meduson's own flagship, Alpharius fell in with a seperate unit of mixed Istvaan survivor marines under the command of Cadmus Tyro and convinced them, in his guise as Meduson, to aid him in an action against other members of the Alpha Legion. His deception was revealed towards the end of the affair, and the survivors of Tyro's force escaped with the knowledge that Alpharius had been impersonating Meduson.

As to whether Shadrak Meduson still lives, or whether he was killed by Alpharius, or Tybalt Marr, or any other hazard to a loyalist marine operating behind enemy lines during the Horus Heresy...that is currently not yet known."

-via Lexicanum (http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Shadrak_Meduson)


"Following the Drop Site Massacre, a mentally volatile Fulgrim would have Fabius Bile clone Ferrus. However these clones proved unstable and each refused to turn against the Emperor, forcing Fulgrim to once again kill his brother and driving him even madder."

-via Lexicanum (http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Ferrus_Manus)



Shadrak Meduson's amalgamation of Iron Hands, Salamanders, and Raven Guard continued their campaigns against the Traitors for long into the Horus Heresy, until he disappeared. His preferred targets were those legions who's betrayal stung the most: Emperor's Children, Sons of Horus, and Alpha Legion. Utilizing new tactics learned from collected survivors of the Raven Guard and Salamanders Legions, Meduson staged multiple raids and lightning offensives, aimed at severing the leadership of the Traitor legions.

However, after the Battle of Dwell, sightings of the Shattered Legions Warleader became sparse, conflicting, and sometimes outright contradictory. Who is to say what really happened to Meduson? I imagine we will find out in upcoming publications from the Black Library.

In the meantime, I propose this alternate backstory. Mostly it is to support my vision of my 30k forces. I hope you enjoy it...

*   *   *

After the failure of the assassination attempt on the Sons of Horus leadership, the decision was made to split the fleet into smaller raiding parties. "We present an easier target, the larger our force collected under this banner," Meduson is quoted to have said. Taking to heart the new tactics he had learned from his Salamander and Raven Guard advisors, the decision was made to split the might of the Shattered Legions, to detract attention and give credibility to the rumors that the Warleader was indeed slain.

An assassination attempt would not be successful at this point. The failure of the previous attempt meant that the guard against such a coup d'etat would be vigilant, indeed. So secondary targets were assessed, and the Shattered Legions waited, and watched.

Their careful observation was shattered when Raven Guard observers discovered a horrifying realization. They had discovered that the genetic material of the fallen Primarch Ferrus Manus was being transported by the Emperor's Children, presumably so their foremost apothecary (Fabius Bile) could begin his foul experimentation on it.

Coupled with the secret information stolen at the Battle of Dwell, this genetic material could give the Traitors the means to create their own Primarchs.

Disregarding earlier agreements to disperse the collected Loyalist forces, Meduson rapidly assembled a strike force and set off after the Emperor's Children fleet, intent on securing the genetic material of his Legion's sire. This was both an emotional and logical goal. Letting the Traitors to profane the corpse of his sire was a personal insult. Furthermore, allowing the Traitors to unlock the process behind the creation of the Primarchs would be disastrous for the Loyalists arrayed against them.

The speed in which Meduson made his decision, collected his forces, and departed did not allow for tactical data to be forwarded to his field commanders. Alone, save for the forces accompanying him, he made the utmost speed for the last known location of the Traitor fleet bearing the remains of the Gorgon.

A Brief History of the Death Korps of Kremlin

Planet: Kremlin

Population: approximately 3 billion

Average Temperature (equatorial): 25 C

Average Temperature (Polar Regions): 0.5 C

Geographical Features: Primarily forested with hardy evergreen trees. Low (but not excessively so) average temperatures coupled with abundant moisture indicate a lengthy winter season, which is perpetuated with snowfall. Arctic regions consist of plains of vegetation akin to tundra growth, with little arboreal growth.

Populace: The populace of the planet is divided into two major factions, called "Parties". The Kommunist party is a collection of impoverished citizens, working for a delegated share of the party's resources. To most citizens, it sounds like a utopia- where if you do your share you can live peacefully. In reality, it is quite the opposite. The Kommunist party's military gets special treatment, with most high-ranking officers reaping benefits and luxuries that common citizens can scarcely dream of. It is in this way the Kommunist party ensures that military enlistment remains high. In addition to this, the Kommunist party also utilizes conscription to gain large quantities of expendable troops, causing quite a wide range of aptitude and ability of its military personnel. The Universalist party has since been diminished since General Vanivar's campaign, but live in the Universalist party was much the same. Now the Universalists are adept guerrilla fighters, staging supply raids and disruptive attacks from their bases in Kremlin's polar regions.

Brief History:
The world Kremlin has been separated from the Imperium for the last two centuries, but the recent discovery of the Jericho Reach Warp Gate has led to it's re-induction into the Imperial fold. During it's isolation, a brutal civil war had begun between various factions vying for planetary control, called "Parties" by the locals. This war was still ongoing over two hundred years later, when the Crusade fleet arrived in-system. In the path of the Archeros Salient, the Crusading fleet made contact with the Kommunists Party Leader, Lord-General Alexi "The Butcher" Vanivar. In exchange for equipment and aid (and the promise of supreme and undisputed rule of the planet), General Vanivar agreed to the Imperial terms of surrender and brokered the deal. However, while negotiations were underway to install General Vanivar as the supreme planetary governor, a rebellious uprising from the Universalist Party (the primary opponent of the Kommunist Party) attempted to enact a bloody coup. Luckily, with the additional military presence of the Crusaders, this rebellion was quickly quelled. Seeing the Universalists as a threat to Imperial interests, the ambassadors declared the Universalist Party as Renegade and Heretical, calling for their immediate eradication. General Vanivar shrewdly volunteered his party's considerable military assets for the job, in exchange for the latest in imperial equipment and technology. With the full backing of the Adeptus Administratum, Lord-General Alexi Vanivar led his army to war. The opposing Party was quickly crushed. However, General Vanivar had many political adversaries... even within his own party. In the guise as a reward for his swift action and deft handling of the Heretical rebels, he was appointed to be the foremost Commanding Officer in one of the first tithe of soldiers for a new regiment, due in large part to the political maneuverings of his adversaries. Unable to refuse, he formed a Regiment comprised of his closest advisers and allies, vowing to one day return to the planet that was taken from him and claim his right to rule.

The 49th Death Korps of Kremlin Regiment "the 49th Spetznaz":
Lord-General Vanivar's regiment is the cream of the crop, the veterans of generations of civil war. Skilled in close-fighting tactics, the Death Korps of Kremlin 49th Regiment is known as the "49th Spetznaz" due to their skilled efficiency. Trench Warfare was common during the Polar Campaign, in which the Kommunist party eradicated the bulk of the Universalist party. Armed with their new equipment and weapons, the Kommunist Party utilized heavy artillery to pound the enemy entrenchments and positions before launching devastating assaults. Also, the Kommunist party being the wealthier of the two major parties, they developed experimental weaponry and methods of warfare. Most famously, a member of the Magos Biologis that had remained on the planet during its isolation had been working on genetic manipulation. His "servitors" are abhuman monstrosities, created from the POWs of the party and lobotomized into complete compliance. They incorporate a chemical beam weapon into their head, creating the illusion of a single massive cyclopean eye. Utilizing this chemical beam technology, he also developed a type of siege weapon similar to the Krieg's Hades Breaching Drill, making use of the intense heat generated by the beam to open holes in defensive positions. Unable to procure newer equipment due to the regiment being relatively new, the 49th has to make do with older-pattern war machines such as the Macharius. Transport options are still limited, regulating the bulk of the regiment to line duty en masse.

Notable Personas in the 907th

(Shown here: Lord Commissar Mortez Brieger)

A massive undertaking is going to be made to base all my Imperial Guardsmen. When I was pondering this, I thought to myself: Wouldn't it be fun to give names to all the important models, so I could more accurately recount their exploits? For example, The Sergeant Callus character I mentioned in my fluff (a few posts ago) is somebody I want to be important. Therefore, he'll be the sergeant to my Melta-vet squad, from the veterans of 1st Platoon! (I kind of stole the mentality that the 1st of anything -companies, platoons, squads- would have the most experienced members in it.)

I have seen it done, where a simple label is painted onto the front of the base, and the name is written on with a scribe pen. I think this would really add flavor and character to my army, and possibly win me brownie points at the upcoming tournament. Time permitting, I suppose I could even name each individual Guardsman, but that is a pretty daunting task. Big thanks to Ordo Malleus for their 40k name generator, it saved me a bunch of time!


Notable Personas in the 907th Alascadian Regiment:
F Company

Company Command Platoon- (Fox Lead)
Captain Lynth Ulysius
1st Sergeant Jercen Crassal
Chief Medic Alac Rolis
Senior Communications Officer Walthren Maltos
Lord Commissar Mortez Brieger

1st Platoon- (Nightstalkers)
1st Lieutenant Ludevicus Roan
Sergeant First Class Rule Stahlmann
Staff Sergeant Magnentius Freelon
Staff Sergeant Aquila Leavigne
Staff Sergeant Arthun Callus
Staff Sergeant Malloc Valance

2nd Platoon- (Spearhead)
2nd Lieutenant Torndan Caeditz
Staff Sergeant Viriniul Leversee
Sergeant Keyes Delveechio
Sergeant Antenor Crawn
Sergeant Pontius Hansteen
Sergeant Doric Perie

3rd Platoon (Solitaire)
2nd Lieutenant Vardis Hinely
Staff Sergeant Uriah Brieger
Sergeant Amnito Krivanec
Sergeant Julo Bringas
Sergeant Gothicus Ferracioli
Sergeant Trajan Blanquart

4th Platoon (Raider)
2nd Lieutenant Vlad Albor
Staff Sergeant Pacatianus Desparrois
Sergeant Helios Dorvillier
Sergeant Augustus Kent
Sergeant Sid Matsoukas
Sergeant Cratos Balsis

5th Platoon (Worthan's Own)
2nd Lieutenant Gorden Worthan
Staff Sergeant Unik Vorwitz
Sergeant Poshal Westmike
Sergeant Haust Forake
Sergeant Ignace Bellumn
Sergeant Welshen Yupic

6th Platoon (The Twenty-Minuters)
2nd Lieutenant Truent Bondsal
Sergeant Luek Shantal
Corporal Forcus Westim
Corporal Spritas Creame
Corporal Horatias Illiquas
Corporal Istan Qu'Alsha
Corporal Kaeem Sowal
Corporal Meshal Jozen
Corporal Fres Caffern

Support Platoon (Patch)
1st Lieutenant Joen Effran
Master Sergeant Hersch Landwitz
Quartermaster
Doctor Leslianne Welker
Doctor Coralee Yittakur
Corporal Smith Pagner
Corporal Vesten Holland

Armor Detachment (Illuminators)
Squadron Commander Menelus Marbray
of the Leman Russ MBT "Pangode Victoria" (Hammer of Victory)
Tank Commander Titus Modrak
of the Leman Russ MBT "Morsus alManus" (Bites the Hand)
Tank Commander Amnito Skult
of the Leman Russ Demolisher "Procellade Illustro" (Tempest of Illumination)

Transport Detachment (Magic Carpet)
Squadron Commander Valens Lyme
Tank Commander Metallius Cotant
Tank Commander Titus Gelineau

The Founding of the 907th Alascadian Regiment

Wind swept up the ashen dust, sweeping it in gallivanting swirls around the mustered troops on the fresh-cleared parade field. Ranks of gray-uniformed soldiers lined the field, and the rumble of massive Leman Russ Battle Tank engines made the ground throb with a palatable pulse. Chimeras stained with soot trundled up loading ramps into waiting bellies of the orbital lift craft, belching clouds of dark exhaust. The harsh light of the day glinted from the glass surfaces of building ruins that surrounded the field. The particulate matter and detritus in the air cast a brownish tinge to the landscape, giving it the appearance of looking filthy. Although, it was exactly that, but the pollutants intensified the effect.

Sergeant Callus fidgeted slightly, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, as he stood at parade rest to the fore of his squad. Even in the full heat of the day it was cold by an off-worlder standards, but to the newly-promoted Sergeant, it was stifling. Perhaps it was the confining particulate-filter mask that all Alascadian soldiers were issued, or perhaps it was just the momentous significance of this historic occasion.

The planet of Alascadia had not had a regimental tithe in nearly a full millennium. A secret Cabal of the Archenemy had sabotaged the world against itself, leading to a civil war that had laid waste to the planet. It was said, so much ordinance was dropped on the first day of that war, that the planet's axis shifted minutely and permanently crippling the planet's natural balance.

To Callus, it certainly seemed that way. He had seen ancient pict-plates and holopicts of pre-war Alascadia: a shining utopia. Cityscapes merged perfectly with the natural surroundings, working with the planet's natural ecosystem rather than against it. However, the planet was as dead now as it had been alive in pre-war times. Ash still filled every crevice, and very few crops or flora would grow in the polluted soil beneath the hard-packed particulate. The people left in the aftermath struggled to survive, being reduced to nearly pre-industrial technology.

It was an uphill battle over the generations, but due to the dedication of the survivors, they persevered. One might say they even thrived. Finally, today, on this day of days, they would pay back the enemies of the God-Emperor. They were assembling for a Holy Crusade, and Callus savored the thought of exacting vengeance on those who laid his ancestors low. The weight of the chainsword hanging on his utility belt reassured him.

"Today..." he thought, smirking freely thanks to the ambiguity of his mask, "Today is the day I will remember as our first victory over the Archenemy."


And Now, the Meat and Potatoes Following the Fluff-

That is a snippet of some fluff I am writing for my Imperial Guard regiment. Yes... you will notice that it has a lot of Fallout 3 influence, but meh... It is one of my favorite games of all time, so that is just how it goes.

The reason for this is actually kind of neat: I am holding a "Founding" for playtesting some units for my IG, to whittle down a 1500 point list out of a 2000 point list. At the 2000 point list, I am putting in non-competitive units in order to whittle them out of the final list in a semi-narrative fashion. As I play several games with my units, you'll see the units that last become "battle-hardened" and the units that get cut will be killed off. I plan on making a sort of narrative battle report series from this in the weeks ahead. The final-cut list is what I will be taking to Brimfrost 2010, the biggest local tournament we have in Alaska for the year. This takes place mid-March, so I have a couple weeks to prepare. Also watch for updated paintjobs, basing, etc as I get them ready for the painting competition in the same tournament.

Tyranids are going to be around, but they are mainly my fluffy army. Now it's time to lay down the law, and show the xenos, the heretic, and the witch the power of the Sledgehammer of the Imperium!

You be the judge! The final Chapter naming poll is up!

You can select multiple answers to this poll, in case you can't narrow it down to just one. The top two contenders from the previous poll, as well as all the ones I have received via email, are included in this poll.

For furthering your understanding of background behind the chapter, here is another little bit of fluff:

2nd Company's Chaplain Nero Paternus stepped off the landing ramp of his Thunderhawk, feeling the ashen remains of a dead civilization crunching beneath his armored feet. From behind the skull-shaped visage of his chaplain's mask, his suits senses gave him the sensation of his nostrils burning. Acrid sulfur clung to the air like a heavy shroud.

He looked around and took in the sights of a civilization that had fallen to ruin. Twisted hulks of habitat buildings had fallen into burnt heaps and craggy building spires lay broken amongst the wreckage. A pallid smoke still sauntered into the air almost lazily, fed by buried embers that had burned for years.

The first drop pods of the assault force were touching down amidst the ruins, disgorging their squads into their standard battle formations. A few of the marines already were shouting Sanguinius battlecries, and acting in an erratic manner. Nero knew that the Black Rage was falling upon them, and it would be his duty to tend to them. It would be his duty to give them direction and focus their unbridled energy at the foes they were hunting here amidst the ruins.

Chaos. The taint of it was unmistakable to the experienced chaplain. He could almost feel it, like a throbbing heart, beating in his temples. It saddened Nero to think that the enemies they were here to kill had once been called his brothers.

********************************

The Strike Cruiser Salve Veritate (Saving the Truth) had long since been dispatched to quell an upstart warband of Orks in the region of planets that orbited a star in the Ghoul Stars cluster. The cruiser carried the 6th Company, known to be ferocious in combat to compensate for its smaller size than its brother-companies. Two centuries passed, and there had been no sign or message from the cruiser. All the Adeptus Astartes from that vessel were presumed dead, and the search parties that scoured the ruins of the planet had come up empty-handed. The vessel had simply vanished.

Then, a few years ago by the Imperial Calendar, the Chapter's Fleet astropaths began to feel the psychic tremors. It was like the call of a siren, alluring and yearning, tugging at the fabric of their minds. The Lord Commander ordered investigation into this phenomenon. As near as the astropaths could decipher, the tremors' epicenter was emanating from the very planet that the Salve Veritate had been dispatched to. Fearing the worst: the commander ordered his most esteemed battle-company, the 2nd, to initiate a reconnaissance of the planet. The task-force was told to prepare for any foe, be it xenos or the heretic, the traitor or the demon. Little did Nero know, it might be all of them at once.








Well? Was it any good? Comments appreciated as always!

First Chapter Naming Poll is almost done! Vote Now!

The first poll for a new chapter name for my BA Codex chapter is almost concluded! Vote today so I can start deciding what decals to use!

Here is a taste of the fluff I had planned, to help you decide:



Long have we been on this crusade in the lightless void. The Ghoul Stars are not a friendly region, are there are many dangers that lurk in the darker reaches of the Emperor's glorious Imperium. Our crusade has taken us far from those who once called us brothers. Our dwindling naval fleet harbors all the home we have ever known. Even the oldest among us, the venerable Brother Circius in his Dreadnought casket, have the faintest glimmering memory of our homeworld. Baal, so long ago, had sanctioned this crusade. We have held fast in this endevour, but the Red Thirst and the Black Rage has taken many of our brothers and twisted them beyond reason or recognition, so our mission is becoming increasingly taxing.

Our commander has decided that it is time to return home, to reaffirm our mission and restore our strength. We have wandered far from our origins, but perhaps with the guidance of our predecessor chapter's Lord Dante, we can regain our focus and replenish our resources. Maybe with the aid of our former brothers, we can become strong again.


---- Okay, I realize that it is not the best, and probably has a ton of stuff wrong with it, but maybe you all can help me with that. Here is the fluff I am pretty sure about, and want to keep an integral part of my army's story:
*The entire chapter is fleet-based, and operates from a Battlebarge and a couple of strike cruisers.
*The chapter is constantly under-strength, due to the active nature of their crusade.
*It is a successor to the Blood Angels, but the details of its Founding (and the reason behind its crusade) are intentionally obscure.

Aside from that, I am open to suggestion for fluff. Maybe knowing a little bit about what I am aiming for will allow you to pick a better chapter name!

After today's poll closes, I will be running one final poll that includes the names that I have received as suggestions both by email and on the DakkaDakka forums. The winner of that poll will be the new chapter name for my Blood Angel successors! So get voting, and give me your suggestions!