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The Chapter Background Generator

116K views 74 replies 39 participants last post by  Shizno 
#1 · (Edited)
Having read Deathwatch: Rites of Battle I thought I'd translate its extensive Chapter Creator into a simplified version for Heresy, it's a fantastic aid for establishing the basic structure of your Chapter.

It Covers all the bases from Origins to Current Status and everything in between. I wont go into detail with what each choice is, though I'll attempt to provide at least some explanation, you'll have to buy the book fora full description (something I recommend as it's chock-a-block with info) or things which I won't mention like Aspirant Trials for example.

Note: my explanations are likely going to be generalisations, for example in the case of a Chapter created as a Counter- I put that it's on the express order of the High Lords of Terra but that's not always the case, simply the most common.

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You can choose anything from the following tables, or roll from them it's entirely up to you- here's the Online Dice Roller I use.

-This is a guide not something set in stone, so use which ever parts you want in whatever way you want.

Origins


Why was the Chapter Founded?
  • Strategic Prognostication (created in order to oppose some future prophesised/anticipated event)
  • Counter (created at the express order of the High Lords of Terra to counter a specific threat/race)
  • Standing Force (created to operate in a specific region)
  • Crusade (created to crusade and expand the Imperium's borders or defeat a certain foe)
Table 1.1 |

D10 Roll | Reason

1-4|Strategic Prognostication
5-6|Counter
7-8|Standing Force
9-10|Crusade


When was the Chapter Founded?


Table 1.2 |

D100 Roll | Period New Chapter Founded

1|31st Millennium
2-5|32nd Millennium
6-10|33rd Millennium
11-20|34th Millennium
21-30|35th Millennium
31-40|36th Millennium
41-50|37th Millennium
51-60|38th Millennium
61-70|39th Millennium
71-80|40th Millennium
81-95|41st Millennium
96-100|Unknown


Gene-Seed


Progenitor


Table 1.3 |

D100 Roll | Result

1-50|Ultramarines
51-65|Blood Angels
66-80|Dark Angels
81-85|Imperial Fists
86-90|White Scars
91-94|Raven Guard
95-98|Iron Hands
99|Space Wolves
100|Salamanders


Gene-Stock Purity

While some Chapters are created using the "pure" gene-seed of the Progenitors, others are created using later generation Successors of the same Legion.
  • Pure (a direct descendant of it's Progenitor. The Chapter is likely to maintain close ties with it's Progenitor and many brother Successors, as well as follow the traditions of it's peers closely. They follow the same Chapter Demeanour as their Progenitor)
  • A New Generation (attempts have been made to "breed out" real or perceived flaws in the Progenitor's gene-stock, introducing some divergence. Some links maybe maintained with it's Progenitor but it's just as likely to strike out on it's own. Instead of using the Progenitor's Chapter Demeanour, choose or roll on Table 1.5 to select one of the Codex Demeanours)
  • Altered Stock (For whatever reason, the Chapter's gene-seed has subtly altered, causing some zygotes to become deficient. While some links are maintained with the Progenitor, the Battle-Brothers of the Chapter maybe shunned. Follow the same Chapter Demeanour as their Progenitor but roll on Table 1.7: Gene-Seed Deficiencies)
  • Flawed (A major flaw has been introduced, marking the Chapter apart from it's brother Successors. Chapters suffering some kind of flaw are often forced to forge their own destiny, either embracing their fate or raging against it. Have a 50/50 chance of their Progenitor's Chapter Demeanour or a Codex Demeanour from Table 1.5. In additon they must roll on Table 1.8: Chapter Flaws)
Table 1.4 |
D10 Roll | Result
1-5|Pure
6-7|A New Generation
8-9|Altered Stock
10|Flawed


Progenitor Demeanours
  • Ultramarines: Honour The Codex
    (In all of their duties, from battle to study, the Ultramarines are thorough, analytical, and attentive to every detail. They are slow to anger and rarely make a rash decision.
    An Ultramarine is likely to turn to the vast tracts of the Codex Astartes that he has memorised for the solution to a problem.)
  • Blood Angels: The Red Thirst
    (Deep within the psyche of every Blood Angel is a destructive yearning, a battle fury and blood hunger that must be held in abeyance every waking moment. The Red Thirst, though, brings with it a humility and understanding of their own failings which make the most noble of the Adeptus Astartes.)
  • Dark Angels: Sons Of The Lion
    (The Dark Angels are notoriously aloof, uncommunicative, even to Brother Astartes, and intolerant of abhuman warriors or alien races. They are highly suspicious of outsiders.
    Their taciturn nature and stubborn refusal to accept anything other than total victory over their foes has served the Imperium well.)
  • Imperial Fists: Sons Of Dorn
    (In temperament the Imperial Fists are driven and focussed. They study the tenets of the Codex Astartes with almost as much dedication as the Ultramarines, yet there are certain passages their very nature makes it hard for them to fully comprehend. Whereas the Codex teaches the wisdom of a tactical re-deployment, the Imperial Fists will fight on, all but blind to the consequences. They quite literally prefer death to the perceived dishonour of admitting the remotest possibility of defeat.)
  • White Scars: Sons Of The Steppes
    (The combat doctrines of the White Scars Chapter reflect those of the Chogorian nomads, though expanded to encompass every type of warfare, but it is in the field of manoeuvre warfare and fast assault that they truly excel. Evoking the nomad cavalry, the White Scars conduct lightning attacks, vehicle-borne infantry squads preceded by a wave of bike squadrons. Just like the bow-armed light cavalry of Chogoris, they bear down upon their foe and unleash a fearsome torrent of close range fire before rapidly re-deploying to attack again from a different quarter.)
  • Raven Guard: Sons Of Night
    (The Raven Guard are masters of stealth, infiltration and sabotage, they are extremely patient, biding their time and never acting rashly. They appear to be motivated by some inner darkness and to shun the light, metaphorically and often literally. While they do fight alongside other Space Marine Chapters they have often been accused of failing to share the full extent of their plans with their allies, leading to disagreement and overt conflict on numerous occasions.When fighting in the same theatre of operations as conventional forces such as Imperial Guard and local militia units, the Raven Guard have been known to use their allies as bait in elaborate traps, launching ambushes against common foes, but not always before the unknowing bait has been taken.)
  • Iron Hands: Iron And Hate
    (Iron Hand brethren abhor any trace of weakness, even more so than other Chapters. They are extremely puritanical in their drive to identify and purge weakness, and they are damning when they perceive it in others. In battle, the Battle-Brothers of the Iron Hands are at once ferocious and terrifyingly controlled. They advance relentlesslyand fight fuelled by 10,000 years of anger, hatred, and bitterness. Yet, they never lose control or become slaves to their emotions. Every blow they strike is made stronger by the anger behind it. Though the same could be said of many Chapters, the Iron Hands are utterly without mercy, slaying the enemies of the Imperium with a cold, mechanical resolve entirely divorced of any sort of doubt or weakness.)
  • Space Wolves: The Sons Of Russ
    (The Battle-Brothers of the Space Wolves are ferocious and aggressive warriors. Though far from mindless berserkers they are certainly possessed of a feral exuberance for battle. They have an overriding sense of duty and honour, and are driven ever onwards by a desire to right the many wrongs that have befallen the Imperium of Man.
    They abhor pretension and despise politicking, they are honest to a fault, and demand the same quality in those those they fight alongside.)
  • Salamanders: Promethean Cult
    (While all Space Marines are stubborn and resolute in pursuing their objectives, the Salamanders display this trait to the point of obstinacy. They are stubborn in defence and relentless in attack, though this sometimes leads to them taking disproportionate casualties when others would have withdrawn to pursue alternative tactics. In addition to these essential qualities of the Promethean Warrior, the Salamanders are extremely sturdy, and their favoured fighting styles promote toughness and the ability to stand in the face of overwhelming odds over those of speed or manoeuvrability. They train their bodies relentlessly, building constitution and muscle density in favour of reaction time.)

Codex Demeanours
(Pure Chapters don't need to roll in this section)
  • Brothers In Battle (There is nothing a Battle-Brother from this Chapter would not do for a fellow Astartes, including dying so that his companion may live. The downside of such a trait is that they make look down upon those outside the Astartes)
  • Cleanse And Purify (Chapters who display this trait believe that no trace of the enemy should be left behind to stain the ground on which he was slain. Going so far as to destroy worlds in order to cleanse them of taint, Chapters such as these often favour weaponry that immolates, incinerates, or atomises their foes)
  • No Mercy, No Respite (Some Chapters can become so embroiled in ther missions that all else becomes secondary, stubborn and courageous in the face of adversity but also to the detriment of the larger strategic situation at times)
  • Purity Above All (The Chapter has no patience whatsoever for any hint of genetic deviation. They regard allied Abhumans as monsters and refuse to fight alongside them, and sometimes even extend this notion to brother Chapters with unusual genetic traits)
  • Scions of Mars (Some Chapters maintain unusually close links to the Adeptus Mechanicus giving them access to more complex and/or rarer materials)
  • See, But Don't Be Seen (The Chapter understands well the value of maintaining a silent, unseen vigil on the foe, striking only when his target is at its weakest and most vulnerable)
  • Swift As The Wind (The Chapters excels at rapid strikes and lightning raids, but the trait extends to every facet of the Chapter. Battle-Brothers are as quick to anger as they are to jest. They can be impatient but show remarkable initiative)
  • Suffer Not The Alien To Live (Some Chapters have suffered at the hands of ravening aliens, and harbour a special hatred for a particular xenos strain, or all aliens)
  • Suffer Not The Works Of Heretics (The teaching of the Chapter's Cult focus on the many crimes committed against humanity by heretics and rebels. And so the Chapter has developed a special hatred for those who would turn from the light of the Emperor. Furthermore the Chapter is often intolerant of the more unusual expressions of the Imperial Creed or fellow Astartes cults and wage a war of persecution on them)
  • Uphold The Honour Of The Emperor (The Chapter trusts that the Emperor will guide them in all things and eschew the use of stealthy tactics, preferring to make bold, frontal assaults so that the enemy knows the Emperor's Angels of Death approach)
Table 1.5 |

D10 Roll | Result

1|Swift As The Wind
2|Cleanse And Purify
3|No Mercy, No Respite
4|Purity Above All
5|Scions of Mars
6|See, But Don't Be Seen
7|Suffer Not The Alien To Live
8|Suffer Not The Works Of Heretics
9|Brothers In Battle
10|Uphold The Honour Of The Emperor


Gene-Seed Deficiencies (Optional if not an Altered Stock Chapter)

Gene-Seed deficiencies normally only arise after rolling on Table 1.4, but Table 1.6: Chance of Gene-Seed Mutation exists to add further depth to your background if you so wish it- even a "pure" source such as the Ultramarines could exhibit deficiencies due to external factors such as damage caused by mutating environments, failed genetic manipulation, or even xenos influence.

Table 1.6 |

Progenitor | % chance of Deficiency

Ultramarines|10%
Blood Angels|50%
Dark Angels|10%
Imperial Fists|10%
White Scars|20%
Raven Guard|20%
Iron Hands|20%
Space Wolves|75%
Salamanders|90%
(Table 1.6 should only be used if you rolled anything other than Altered Stock on Table 1.4)

If by using the above Table it's determined a mutation exists- by rolling a D100 and checking to see if you rolled within the Progenitor's chances [i.e because Iron Hands are 20% only Pure/A New Generation/Flawed successor Chapters rolling 1-20 would result in a mutation for an Iron Hands successor whereas 21-100 wouldn't]- then there is a 90% chance that the mutation will be exactly the same as the Progenitor's.

So for an Ultramarine Successor to have a mutation that wasn't present in the Progenitor they would have to Roll 1-10 on a D100 (because they only have a mutation rate of 10%) and then a further 1-10 (or 91-100) on a D100 to be eligible to roll on Table 1.7: Gene-Seed Deficiencies. (again because there's a 90% chance the mutation will be exactly the same as the Progenitor's)
  • Hyper-stimulated Omophagea (Having tasted the flesh of the foe once, the Chapter's Battle-Brothers develop an addiction to the processes allowed by the Omophagea)
  • Oversensitive Occulobe (The organ that allows Space Marines to see in low light conditions has become overly sensitised, working exceptionally well in the dark but suffering in full light conditions)
  • Mutated Catalepsean Node (The implant that allows the Battle-Brother to enter a half-sleep in which he can remain alert for danger has become dangerously mutated.The Space Marine is unable to sleep normally and stays awake for days, even weeks without effect. However, when sleep does come it is wont to last for days on end)
  • Oolitic Secretions (The Chapter's Oolitic Kidney function is imbalanced in such a way that the Battle-Brother's skin is turned an unusual colour due to it's secretions)
  • Disturbing voice (Due to a malfunction in or related to the function of the Betcher's gland, the Chapter's brethren exhibit unusual vocal characteristics. The inability to speak above a sibilant whisper for example)
  • Lost Zygote (One of the Chapter's zygotes has ceased to function entirely. Choose one or roll on Table 1.9)
  • Doomed (The Chapters has lost the ability to replicate either the Black Carapace or Progenoids, without the former future generations of Space Marines will be unable to interface with their power armour and without the latter there will be no future generations)
  • Multiple Instabilities (Roll D3 times on Table 1.7, re-rolling any duplicate results including this one)
Table 1.7 |

D10 Roll | Result

1|Hyper-stimulated Omophagea
2|Oversensitive Occulobe
3|Mutated Catalepsean Node
4|Oolitic Secretions
5|Disturbing voice
6-8|Lost Zygote
9|Doomed
10|Multiple Instabilities


Chapter Flaws
(Only Flawed chapters need to roll here)

Some Chapters are afflicted by a flaw that transcends mere zygote mutation and comes to totally define them. sometimes the flaw is linked to a nigh-catastrophic genetic malfunction, but just as often it is tied to the Progenitor's Primarch, the stock from which they recruit, or some other inexplicable factor.
The flaws presented in Table 1.8: Chapter Flaws are a general foundation not the be all and end all list.
  • We Stand Alone (For a variety of potential reasons, the Chapter's Battle-Brothers are either distrusted by other Imperial forces, or they themselves shun contact)
  • Pride In Colours (While all Chapters take great pride in their badge and livery, some take this pride to such an extreme they regard anything that hides them as a form of cowardice)
  • Faith In Suspicion (There are some Chapters that hold many other arms of the Imperium in great contempt, whether sanctioned psykers, bureaucrats, the Ecclesiarchy, or even the Inquisiton. Perhaps there has been strife between the groups or the Chapter simply considers itself so superior as to hold others in contempt)
  • Eye To Eye (The Chapter sees no honour in in any other form of combat than man to man, eye to eye. It eschews many other aspects of war, and always seeks to deliver the killing blow in person, at the very speartip of battle)
  • Chapter Cult (Every Chapter venerates the Emperor, it's Progenitor Primarch and it's own heroes according to it's own traditions. This Chapter has developed rituals so exotic or extreme that even fellow Space Marines baulk at the sight of them)
Table 1.8 |

D10 Roll | Result

1-2|We Stand Alone
3-4|Pride In Colours
5-6|Faith In Suspicion
7-8|Eye To Eye
9-10|Chapter Cult


Limited or Missing Zygotes


If Lost Zygote is rolled on Table 1.7, or Altered Stock is rolled on Table 1.4 then there is the option to roll on Table 1.9: Missing or Inactive Zygotes to determine which organs are not functioning or are absent entirely.

Table 1.9 |

Roll D100 | Result

1-8|Catalepsean Node
9-17|Preomnor
18-26|Omophagea
27-35|Occulobe
36-44|Lyman's Ear
45-53|Sus-an Membrane
54-62|Oolitic Kidney
63-71|Neuroglottis
72-80|Mucranoid
81-89|Betcher's Gland
90-98|Melanchromic Organ
99-100|Roll Twice On This Table
 
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#2 · (Edited)
Founding Fathers/Figures of Legend


Who are the Chapter's heroes?

Every Chapter has its founding fathers- the heroes that wrote the opening passages of its glorious history. These might be warriors seconded from another Chapter, perhaps even a First Founding Progenitor, or they might be the true sons of the Chapter itself.
  • Seconded (from a previous generation Successor or even the First Founding Legion that provided the new Chapter's gene-seed. Roll again on Table 1.10 to determine what type of warrior he was)
  • Chapter Master
  • Chief Librarian
  • Master of Sanctity
  • Master of the Forge
  • Master of the Fleet
  • Chief Apothecary
  • Company Captain (roll D10 to determine which Company)
  • Squad Sergeant (roll D10 twice to determine Company and Squad)
  • Battle-Brother (roll D10 twice to determine Company and Squad)
  • Specialist (your choice- Librarian, Chaplain, Techmarine, driver, pilot, etc)
Table 1.10 |

D100 Roll | Result
1-20|Seconded
21-50|Chapter Master
51-60|Chief Librarian
61-70|Master of Sanctity
71-73|Master of the Forge
74|Master of the Fleet
75|Chief Apothecary
76-85|Company Captain
86-90|Squad Sergeant
91-99|Battle-Brother
100|Specialist
(To determine secondary figures- such as the hero's companions and peers, or later heroes- roll on the table again)

[Heresy's Space Marine Name Generator may be of use to you with this section]


Deeds of Legend

In addition to the question of who these heroes were is the question of why are they so venerated? Did they defeat a particular foe, did their deeds grant the Chapter it's name, livery, or home world? All these possibilities provide the bedrock of the Chapter's legends.
  • Ork's Bane (The figure is remembered as the bane of the Orks, to such an extent that his name is known to the vile greenskins even to this day)
  • Enemy of Chaos (The individual was a stalwart enemy of the servants of Chaos, and slew a Daemon Prince)
  • Imperial Glory (The hero led a glorious campaign against a rebel army, defeating the foe and bringing an entire sector back into the Emperor's light)
  • Eldar Slayer (The figure led an action against an Eldar Craftworld, boarding it and inflicting grevious casualties before withdrawing. He and his Chapter are especially hated by the capricious Eldar)
  • Warp Accident (The hero was lost to his Chapter in a warp accident, yet his descendents have cause to believe he still lives and may one day return to them in glory)
  • Crusader (The hero was the first to face some newly discovered alien race, and ultimately responsible for it's total destruction. Centuries later only the Chapter remembers the name of the race, so utterly was it and its works cast down)
  • Martyr (The hero led his Chapter in many glorious campaigns, slaying hundreds of the enemy's greatest champions. In the end he was brought down through treachery, slain by an Imperial Assassin's bullet on the field of battle. Why he was targeted was never discovered but the Chapter harbours a special hatred for the Officio Assassinorum to this day)
Table 1.11 |
D100 Roll | Result
1-25|Ork's Bane
26-50|Enemy of Chaos
51-70|Imperial Glory
71-85|Eldar Slayer
86-90|Warp Accident
91-95|Crusader
96-100|Martyr


Home World



What type of planet is the Chapter's Home World?


Table 1.12 |
D100 Roll | Result
1-25|Hive World
26-45|Feral World
46-60|Death World
61-70|Medieval World
71-80|Civilised World
81-90|Uninhabited World
91-100|Fleet-Based
If your Chapter recruits from more worlds than just its home world, or its home world is uninhabited or the Chapter is fleet-based, roll again as many times as you like to determine what types of planets it uses.


Home World Predominant Terrain


Table 1.13 |
D100 Roll | Result
1-25|Jungle
26-50|Desert
51-60|Ice
61-65|Ocean
66-75|Wasteland
76-80|Urban
81-85|Dead
86-90|Airless
91-100|Temperate
Note that whilst plenty of these category types can be combined with the categories in Table 1.12, some are mutually exclusive.

An ocean Hive-World might feature air-sealed hives, or an urban Death World might occur when the planet's malevolent ecology has risen against its population, and the once-populace cities are reduced to post-apocalyptic ruins.
But it would take a mighty stretch of the imagination to create a dead/airless Feral World, for example.


Relationship with Home World

How does the Chapter govern it's home world? Space Marine Chapters with a home world are its ultimate masters, with total control over the domain and any peoples living there. The Chapter holds the same powers as a Planetary Governor, indeed potentially more because of the political and militaristic influence an Astartes Chapter can wield.
Whilst most Chapters take little part in the affairs of the population of their home world, some involve themselves to varying degrees.
  • Direct Rule (The Chapter rules over its home world and subject peoples directly, and its leaders are regarded by them as the ultimate authority)
  • Stewardship (Some Chapters cede the administration of their subjects to a ruling class drawn from the populace, issuing broad directives but maintaining their distance)
  • Distant Rule (Many Chapters lay claim to a particular home world, yet are rulers in name only. In practice, they take no hand in the affairs of their subjects)
Table 1.14 |
D10 Roll | Result
1|Direct Rule
2-4|Stewardship
5-10|Distant Rule


Organisation



How closely does the Chapter follow the Codex Astartes?

The vast majority of Space Marine Chapters are descended from the Ultramarines, and as such adhere to the dictates of the Codex Astartes. he Ultramarines themselves follow the codex to the letter, and this is true of other Ultramarines Successor who strive to follow their example.
Other Chapters adapt the teachings of Guilliman according to their own genetic or cultural heritage, and while they may stray from it in some areas, generally follow the teachings in the codex.
Finally, there are a small number of Chapters whose organisation and methods bear little resemblance to those prescribed in the Codex Astartes.
  • Codex Chapter (A Codex Chapter follows the Codex Astartes almost to the letter. The Codex offers a lot of leeway on many subjects, offering not a single solution to a given problem, but many potential courses of action)
  • Divergent Chapter (A divergent Chapter is one that strays from the Codex Astartes, but not by a huge degree. Such deviation includes the fielding of specialised formations, such as the Dark Angels' 1st and 2nd Companies, and such Chapters normally follow the Codex in other areas. Some Chapters field a proportion of specialised units that differs from that favoured in the Codex, such as favouring Assault squads over Tactical squads)
  • Unique Organisation (Only a very small number of Chapters can be described as truly unique, and even they share many qualities with plenty of other Chapters. Some Chapters deviate in character as much as organisation and tactics, such as the savage yet gregarious Space Wolves, while others break some fundamental principle of the Codex, such as the Black Tempars. An Ultramarine Successor straying this far from the Codex is likely to be estranged from its Progenitor and shunned by its brother Successors)
Table 1.15 |
D10 Roll | Result
1-5|Codex Chapter
6-8|Divergent Chapter
9-10|Unique Organisation
Table 1.16 | Ultramarines Successor D10 Roll | Result
1-7|Codex Chapter
8-9|Divergent Chapter
10|Unique Organisation

Combat Doctrine


How does the Chapter prefer to fight? Although the Adeptus Astartes are by definition the masters of every aspect of war, many Chapters come to favour one style of combat over another.
The Codex Astartes teaches a balanced approach to war, and so any Chapter sired by the Ultramarines or their line is unlikely to pursue one form of combat doctrine at the expense of others, but there are a thousand Chapters or more, and no 2 are identical.
  • Codex Combat Doctrine (The Chapter follows the dictates of the Codex Astartes, fielding a balanced mix of Tactical, Assault, and Devastator Squads, in addition to the prescribed complement of support units. In the execution of battle plans, the Chapter's leaders remain flexible, and are willing and able to change approach at a moment's notice)
  • Close Combat (The Chapter favours assault troops and tactics to win the battle. Such Chapter may appear superficially to follow the organisational doctrines of the Codex, yet focus on close combats when it comes to delivering victory)
  • Ranged Combat (The opposite of the Close Combat doctrine, Chapters prefer to gun down their enemies with overwhelmnig firepower. For some this is a matter of of the controlled, almost scientific application of long-range fire, while others display a preternatural instinct for locating their foe's weak points and striknig from afar)
  • Armoured Assault (Some Chapters field a higher proportion of armoured vehicles, and integrate them far more into their tactics than others, becoming masters of the mechanised assault. The Chapter can take objectives with terrifying speed or bear down on an entrenched foe before he even has time to mount a defence)
  • Stealth (There are some Chapters that have honed the art of a stealthy approach followed by an overwhelming assault to an art form. Some Chapters utilise subtle modification to armour and weaponry, shielding them from detection till the last moment)
  • Lightning Strike (A lightning strike is an assault carried out with such overwhelming force, from such an unexpected quarter, that no defence is possible and the enemey is smashed aside and utterly defeated. Chapters that specialise in the tactic tend to maintain highly mobile forces, eschewing heavy firepower for manoeuvrability)
  • Drop Pod (Some Chapters specialise in this tactic, honing to perfection so that the first and last thing an enemy sees of the Space Marines' attack are the black contrails of dozens of drop pods streaking through the air, and Battle-Brothers disembarking inside his lines to gun him down with ruthless efficiency)
  • Thunderhawk Assault (A Thunderhawk assault is in effect a variation on the drop pod method of insertion, sacrificing a measure of surprise for the overwhelming firepower the gunships themselves are able to bring to bear)
  • Siege (Some Chapters have historically excelled at siege tactics, or are temprementally suited to a type of war that is a unquie mix of science and murder)
  • Shock And Awe (When possible, many Space Marine assaults are precluded by a bombardment staged by strike vessels or battle barges in orbit over and enemy position. Some Chapters have honed this ability to such a degree that the mere appearance of thier vessels in system space is sufficient to bring about an enemy's total collapse. Some Chapters have become a little too skilled at this tactic for their own good, and are so wont to bring about such devastation that their aid is not sought in the liberation of captured cities)
  • Terror (Some Chapters build their tactics around the notion of inspiring fear in thier foes, even above that they already invoke)
Note that most Chapters follow the balanced and flexible Codex Combat Doctrine. If yours does not, select the doctrine that most appeals or roll for it on Table 1.17

Table 1.17 |
D10 Roll | Result
1|Close Combat
2|Ranged Combat
3|Armoured Assault
4|Stealth
5|Lightning Strike
6|Drop Pod
7|Thunderhawk Assault
8|Siege
9|Shock And Awe
10|Terror

Special Equipment


One thing that sets a Chapter apart from another are the individual pieces of equipment that the Chapter prefers to carry into battle. Table 1.18 presents some ideas that the created Chapter will favour.
  • Traditional weapons (The Chapter favours one specific weapon over all others. Choose one specific weapon to serve as the Chapter's traditional weapon)
  • Totemic Charms (The Chapter has strong beliefs in the icons of either the Emperor or their Primarch)
  • Modified Jump-Pack (Primarily seen in Chapters that favour the Assault combat doctrine)
  • Beastial Companion (More common from those Chapters whose origins come from Feral Worlds, this Chapter prides itself on raising hunting animals to assist in battle)
  • Rare Weaponry (Whether through the blessing of the Adeptus Mechanicus or sheer good fortune, this Chapter has a large stock of weaponry that is considered rare amongst other Chapters)
  • Blessed Wargear (It is common for members of this Chapter to have thier Wargear blessed by a Chaplain before battle)
  • Special Mount (While other Chapter's may keep animals as companions, this Chapter uses them for what they were intended for- transportation)
  • Special Vehicle (While the traditional Space Marine vehicle is the Rhino, other Chapters may use more rare vehicles as a primary transport)
  • Preferred Fighting Style (The Chapter has a specific way in which it goes about killing the enemy in the name of the Emperor of Mankind)
  • Modified Weaponry (When the Chapter's forges produce a weapon, they produce them in a style that is specific to their Chapter)
Table 1.18 |
D100 | Result
1-10|Traditional Weapon
11-20|Totemic Charm
21-30|Modified Jump-Pack
31-40|Beastial Companion
41-50|Rare Weaponry
51-60|Blessed Wargear
61-70|Special Mount
71-80|Special Vehicle
81-90|Preferred Fighting Style
91-100|Modified Weaponry

Chapter Beliefs


Table 1.19 |
D100 Roll | Result
1-40|Revere the Primarch
41-65|The Emperor Above All
66-75|Honour The Ancestors
76-80|Death Cult
81-85|Totem Creature
86-90|Purity of Man
91-95|Steel Over Flesh
96-100|Esoteric Beliefs
 
#3 · (Edited)
Current Status


What is the current status of your Chapter?

Throughout the ten thousand year history of the Imperium, many Chapters have risen to glory before receding into obscurity. Some burn brightly, but are consumed in the fires of their own victories, while others are struck down by the fickle hand of fate.

Most Chapters strive to maintain a standing force of 1,000 Battle-Brothers, plus additional officers and specialists, but the tides of war and disaster rarely allow such a luxury. In the aftermath of an arduous campaign a Chapter may be well below half strength and require several years or even decades to fully recover.

A related point to consider is how the Chapter is deployed across the Galaxy. Some Chapters concentrate their efforts in and around one region, whislt others regard it as their duty to dispatch strike forces to every corner of the Imperium.
  • Endangered (The chapter numbers only a handful of Companies or less having suffered devastating losses in combat, accident, or dramatic genetic instability)
  • Under Strength (The Chapter is recovering from a defeat or accident that occurred several decades ago, or has recently suffered heavy but not irrecoverable losses)
  • Nominal (The Chapter can field a full 10 companies, each with ten squads)
  • Over Strength (Some Chapters maintain more than the prescribed ten companies, though it is rare for more than a handful more to be fielded)
Table 1.20 |
D10 Roll | Result
1|Endangered
2-4|Under Strength
5-9|Nominal
10|Over Strength

Friends and Enemies

While the Space Marines stand aloof from the bulk of humanity, the long millennia of war have often brought about unlikely alliances and rivalries.

Table1.21 | Friends D100 Roll | Result
1-5|Administratum
6-15|Adeptus Arbites
16-30|Adeptus Astartes Chapter
31-35|Adeptus Astra Telepathica
36-45|Adeptus Mechanicus
46-50|Adepta Sororitas
51-55|Adeptus Titanicus
56-58|Astropaths
59-60|Chartist Captains
61-65|Ecclesiarchy
66-75|Imperial Guard (specific World)
76-79|Imperial Navy
80-85|Inquisition
86-88|Navigators
89-91|Officio Assassinorum
92-93|PDF (specific World)
94-98|Rogue Trader Dynasty
99|Schola Progenium
100|Scholastica Psykana
Table 1.22 | Enemies D100 Roll | Result
1-2|Roll On Table 1.21
3-31|The Orks
32-42|The Eldar
43-51|The Tyranids
52-68|Chaos Space Marines
69-79|Daemon Prince/Daemon/Disciple of Chaos
80-87|Chaos-aligned Group
88-96|Dark Eldar
97-98|The Tau
99-100|Other

--------------------------------------------------------------------------


[Example Chapter]

Why was the Chapter Founded: [Roll D10, Result= 3] Strategic Prognostication

When was the Chapter Founded
: [Roll D100, Result= 88] 41st Millennium

Progenitor: [Roll D100, Result= 10] Ultramarines

Gene-Stock Purity: [Roll D10, Result= 1] Pure

Chapter Demeanour: (ok because I'm a Pure Ultramarines successor I'm going to stick with my Progenitor's Demeanour) Honour The Codex

Gene-Seed Deficiencies
: [Roll D100, Result= 7] (Because anything within the Progenitor's percentage chance requires another roll...) [Extra Roll D100, Result= 67] (under 90 so nothing changes) No Deficency

-Because I rolled a Pure Chapter I'm not going to roll on the Chapter Flaws section

Who are the Chapter's heroes: [Roll D100, Result= 73] Master of the Forge

Using the Heresy Name Generator- Hephaestus Catroux


Deeds of Legend
: [Roll D100, Result= 89] Warp Accident

What type of planet is the Chapter's Home World
: [Roll D100, Result= 11] Hive World

Home World Predominant Terrain: [Roll D100, Result= 89] Airless

Relationship with Home World
: [Roll D10, Result= 8] Distant Rule

How Closely Does the Chapter follow the Codex Astartes
: Using Table 1.16 [Roll D10, Result= 4] Codex Chapter

Combat Doctrine: I want the Chapter to have a slight specialisation despite using the Codex Combat Doctrine primarily [Roll D10, Result= 1] Close Combat

Special Equipment
: [Roll D100, Result= 59] Blessed Wargear

Chapter Beliefs: [Roll D100, Result= 18] Revere the Primarch

What is the current status of you Chapter: [Roll D10, Result= 4] Under Strength

Friends: [Roll D100, Result= 47] Adepta Sororitas

Enemies: [Roll D100, Result= 56] Chaos Space Marines (I think I'll choose Iron Warriors)

Using Space Marine Chapter Name Generator-
Chapter Name: Emperors Sentinels

--------------------------------------------------------------------------


That took all of 10 minutes and now all that's left is to flesh out the Chapter and decide on a Livery & Heraldry and my new Chapter is ready!

I hope this Generator will be of some use in your endeavours and I can't wait to see what you come up with!

Baron Spikey
 
#4 ·
I like!

One thing I found odd, though, was that Deathwatch proposed the second highest percentage roll for Blood Angels and Dark Angels, leaving the Imperial Fists, White Scars, and the Iron Hands behind. I say this because the Blood Angels have serious Geneseed issues that are known to the Imperium, and the Dark Angels' fluff doesn't seem to drive toward too many Successors that aren't themselves part of the Unforgiven. By contrast, the White Scars have untainted Geneseed and no baggage.... Yes, the Imperial Fists do lack certain zygotes, but on the other hand their pedigree seems high, and the number of Successors they have outnumbers that of the Dark Angels. The Iron Hands I do kind of get, since they tend to be aloof, hold to their own ideals, etc.

EDIT: I wish I could rep you for this, man! :(
 
#5 ·
Well look at how many Successors the Blood Angels and Dark Angels actually have, I can certainly name more descended from them than the IF, RG, WS, and IH put together. In that way it sort of makes sense, but it's only a guide you don't have to follow it and I imagine a fair few people will purposely choose rather than roll a Progenitor just to avoid the Ultramarines :laugh:


Right, I've finished the Gene-Seed section and the next one I'll be doing Is Founding Fathers (nice short section) followed by Home Worlds (sadly quite long, for me at least).
 
#9 ·
I'm thinking of starting a homegrown chapter to start alongside my sallies (can't get away from them darn space marines) and this looks like it'll be a big help in fleshing out my fluff. Very nice stuff, cheers baron!
 
#10 ·
Baron,

Did Deathwatch really give the Salamanders such a high percentage of organ mutation? Their Index Astartes article holds their Geneseed to be rather pure, which would be in line with the newer novels implying that their eyes are mutations endemic to being born on Nocturne than a Geneseed issue.

Also, do they still use the Melanochrome? Because it would seem the organ itself was removed from the 5th edition (at least from the Codex: Space Marines).

As for the Blood Angels... I hear you, but consider this: the majority of their Successor Chapters are from the 2nd and 3rd Foundings (one notable exception is a Chapter founded during the Cursed Founding, expressly with the aim of removing this flaw), early enough where their fatal flaws would not have been noticed. When you consider this, and take into consideration the context of the Iron Cage on top of the Scouring, I think we arrive at the reason for the smaller number of Fists Chapters. Even then, it's not a small number--nine (more than the Dark Angels), versus the Blood Angels' twelve or so (if we're to go off of Lexicanum).

Again, don't take this as a critique of what I find to be a most worthy product. I simply find it interesting that "Deathwatch" gives higher odds on the High Lords picking Geneseed known to be rife with serious issues than Chapters with no Geneseed instability.

Cheers,
P.
 
#11 · (Edited)
Baron,

Did Deathwatch really give the Salamanders such a high percentage of organ mutation? Their Index Astartes article holds their Geneseed to be rather pure, which would be in line with the newer novels implying that their eyes are mutations endemic to being born on Nocturne than a Geneseed issue.
Well the mutations inherent in the Salamanders is due to their environment interacting with their gene-seed. The table is too work out how different their successors would be- and considering the Salamander's successors wouldn't be bombarded with Nocturn's radiation or from the same recruitment stock that has grown resistant to such intense radiation then the chances that a successor would even appear different (which in itself is considered a mutation from the Progenitor) is high.

Both Chapters attributed (but never confirmed) as being Successors of the Salamanders- Storm Giants and Black Dragons- look radically different than their Coal-skinned, red-eyed progenitor.

Also, do they still use the Melanochrome? Because it would seem the organ itself was removed from the 5th edition (at least from the Codex: Space Marines).
I'm not entirely that wasn't something accidently left out rather than purposely so, but still according to Deathwatch they have them so I included them for completion.


As for the Blood Angels... I hear you, but consider this: the majority of their Successor Chapters are from the 2nd and 3rd Foundings (one notable exception is a Chapter founded during the Cursed Founding, expressly with the aim of removing this flaw), early enough where their fatal flaws would not have been noticed. When you consider this, and take into consideration the context of the Iron Cage on top of the Scouring, I think we arrive at the reason for the smaller number of Fists Chapters. Even then, it's not a small number--nine (more than the Dark Angels), versus the Blood Angels' twelve or so (if we're to go off of Lexicanum).
Sound argument, again though I'm using the info from Deathwatch (though IA10 does say that the White Scars gene-seed is deeply flawed accounting for it's lack of usage), if anybody wished to they could easily, and with my blessing, swap the Dark Angels for Imperial Fists and the Blood Angels for a different Chapter.

How you use this generator is entirely up to you, I'm merely providing a framework :thank_you:

Again, don't take this as a critique of what I find to be a most worthy product. I simply find it interesting that "Deathwatch" gives higher odds on the High Lords picking Geneseed known to be rife with serious issues than Chapters with no Geneseed instability.

Cheers,
P.
Ah but the Blood Angel's gene-seed itself is pure, it's the flaw that mars them and the High Lords are nothing if not persistent/bull-headed/callous. They want results, the brutality of the Chapters created is often of secondary concern.

Whereas the Imperial Fists gene-seed whilst supposedly stable is known to be deficient, if 2 zygotes have been lost from the 1st Founding Chapter who's to say how much further a Successor might degenerate?


Edit: My internet failed last night so that's why there haven't been any updates (other than me re-writing sentences to make them clearer) when I get back from town this afternoon I'll add Founding Father, Homeworlds, and Organisation to make up for it.
 
#13 ·
Excellent, simply excellent Baron Spikey.

I've already done this twice and forged two new chapters with it. Ironically the very first one I did was probably rare beyond measure.

I got Space Wolves with a pure gene-seed. I was so shocked I had to redo it and got a Blood Angels chapter instead.

Besides, folks tend to get a little upset about using Space Wolves gene-seed since its "technically" illegal.
 
#14 · (Edited)
Glad you find it helpful :) And you're right that is extremely rare, only a 1% chance you'd even get Space Wolves as a Progenitor let alone Pure gene-stock.

I've finished the generator now for all intents and purposes, there'll probably be some superficial alterations in the way things are set out or sentences are structured but other than that it's complete.

Edit: Feel free if you think something needs rewording, just because I can understand it doesn't mean anyone else can!

Also any suggestions for what I can add in my planned 'Alternate Tables' section are appreciated.
 
#16 · (Edited)
Quick Results for me.

Crusade
Ultramarines
35th Millenium
Pure
Purity above All
10%
Mutated Catalepsean Node
Eye to Eye
Company Captain- Argus Craetus- Slew Demon Prince
Feral World - Ice - Distant Relationship
Unique Organisation
Close Combat
Rare Weaponry
Emperor Above all else
Under Strength
Friends- PDF world Engaliss
Enemies - Orcs (All)

P.S. Is there an IG generator around I'm not aware of?
P.S.S. I forgot the genetic defect, which is the Mutated Catalepsean Node - Means they have trouble sleeping, and when they do sleep it can be for days on end.
 
#17 ·
Quick Results for me.

Crusade
Ultramarines
35th Millenium
Pure
Purity above All
10%
Eye to Eye
Company Captain- Argus Craetus- Slew Demon Prince
Feral World - Ice - Distant Relationship
Unique Organisation
Close Combat
Rare Weaponry
Emperor Above all else
Under Strength
Friends- PDF world Engaliss
Enemies - Orcs (All)
Interesting Chapter!

This is a case of someone using the generator in a way which they want rather than feeling they should be forced to use it as a set of rules (i.e a new Codex Demeanour and a Chapter Flaw despite being a 'Pure' successor) which is as correct a way to use it as any other. :victory:

P.S. Is there an IG generator around I'm not aware of?
I don't think so, not on Heresy at least.
 
#18 ·
Decided to have a quick go, here's what I got, using this virtual dice roller website.

The Red Champions (Name Generator)

Strategic Prognostication
Unknown
Blood Angels
Pure
The Red Thirst
50% - Not really sure on how this works
Multiple Instabilities, Hyper-stimulated Omophagea, Mutated Catalepsean Node, Disturbing voice
We Stand Alone
Battle Brother, Ork's Bane
Civilised World, Temperate
Stewardship
Divergent Chapter
Siege
Special Mount
Purity of Man
Nominal
Friends - Ecclesiarchy
Enemies - Chaos Space Marines
 
#19 ·
Decided to have a quick go, here's what I got, using this virtual dice roller website.

The Red Champions (Name Generator)

Strategic Prognostication
Unknown
Blood Angels
Pure
The Red Thirst
50% - Not really sure on how this works
Basically there's a 50% chance that a Blood Angels successor will have some sort of mutation/flaw.
Lets say you roll a D10, 1-5 means you've gotten some sort of mutation/flaw and 6-10 means you don't (beyond anything the Blood Angels already have).

Now there is a 90% chance that your mutation will be exactly the same as your Progenitor's- so roll a D10 (or D100, whatever) 1-9 means you're fine, rolling a 10 means you should roll on Table 1.7: Gene-Seed Deficiencies just as if you'd rolled Altered Stock on Table 1.4.

Basically that table is an optional one (even more so than most of the others) so you can work out if even your 'Pure' Chapter has devolved in some manner, that's why it's extremely difficult to get a mutated result as it's an extremely unlikely occurrence.

Multiple Instabilities, Hyper-stimulated Omophagea, Mutated Catalepsean Node, Disturbing voice
We Stand Alone
You wouldn't have to roll on Chapter Flaws if you got a Pure result from Table 1.4, only a Flawed result would neccesitate rolling on this table.

Battle Brother, Ork's Bane
Civilised World, Temperate
Stewardship
Divergent Chapter
Siege
Special Mount
Purity of Man
Nominal
Friends - Ecclesiarchy
Enemies - Chaos Space Marines
Very nice.

Question- what company/squad does your Figure of Legend come from?


I'll go back and try and clear up some of the sections that appear to be confusing people.
 
#20 ·
The 6th Company, 5th Squad of the Red Champions. Also, here's another one that I came up with due to being very bored (All names were got from the name generator):

Name: Triumphant Sons
Crusade
41st Millennium
Ultramarines
Pure, Honour the Codex
No Deficency
Chief Librarian Dargus Kranz, Warp Accident
Company Captain Sinon Morden, Enemy of Chaos, 4th Company
Hive World
Temperate
Distant Rule
Codex Chapter
Modified Jump-Pack
Revere the Primarch
Under Strength
Imperial Navy
Chaos Daemon, Antarius Forrix. (Space Marine name generator).

Is that okay? Also, which one looks better, the Red Champions or the Triumphant Sons?

Bane of Kings Out.
 
#23 ·
Course you can, you could say that he was only lost to the Warp in the last hundred years or so- the descriptions I provide for the Deeds of Legend are just something to get the imagination going :biggrin:
Instead of his descendants believing he's still alive it might be his peers etc.

Similar to Pedro Kantor still believing that Coteaz is alive somewhere.
 
#24 ·
Now that we have the finished product, I think this will be an excellent guide in arriving at the "skeleton" of a DYI Chapter. The result of one's choices/rolls will be something that they can flesh out with greater ease, without worrying about deviating from certain universal rules and pre-requisites found in 40k.

Good job, Baron! I don't have much more to say than I did in my earlier posts here, but I wanted to reiterate my praise for your product. :)
 
#26 · (Edited)
Now that we have the finished product, I think this will be an excellent guide in arriving at the "skeleton" of a DYI Chapter. The result of one's choices/rolls will be something that they can flesh out with greater ease, without worrying about deviating from certain universal rules and pre-requisites found in 40k.

Good job, Baron! I don't have much more to say than I did in my earlier posts here, but I wanted to reiterate my praise for your product.
Whilst I would love to claim this as completely my own (how clever would that make me!) I did get most of it from Deathwatch: Rites of Battle- I just simplified parts, added some explanations, and rewrote sections so they'd make sense in 40k as a Chapter rather than an RP as a single character.

Traditional Weapons (tanks?)
Basically it means that your Chapter favours 1 type of weapon over all others, not that they don't use the full variety of Astartes weapons just that they have a preferred one.

E.g Power Swords, Melta Guns, Flamers etc


I'm glad you find it useful- really I only decided to translate it over to Heresy on a whim (and because, god damn it, I want to get a Dark Disciple Medal, they're shiny!) and now it seems like my whimsical nature came up with a helpful idea.
 
#25 ·
Jade Minotaurs
Founded: 35th Millennium, strategic prognosis
Pure Dark Angels successor- Sons of the Lion
Hero- Chapter Master Venerari Asmodi, Warp Accident
Hero- Zaltys Gaius, Seconded Master of the Forge, Enemy of Chaos
Homeworld- Desert Death World, Direct Rule
Divergent Chapter- Siege, Traditional Weapons (tanks?), The Emperor Above All, Nominal
Allied w/ Dark Angels

So, effectively, a traditional DA successor, except siege-focused...

Thanks a lot for posting this generator! It's extremely useful (that is to say time-wasting).
 
#27 ·
my army it looks great im going to expand on it
9 Crusade
57 38th
67 Dark Angels
6 New Generation
8 Suffer not the Works of Heretics
70 Master of Sanctity
99 Martyr
67 Medieval World
11 Jungle
2 Stewardship
10 Unique Organisation
8 Seige
23 Modified Jump-Pack
85 Totem Creature
8 Nominal
66 Imperial guard (First born)
8 Orks
 
#28 · (Edited)
Yeah the Chapter I created loves the Rare Weapons. That should be fun trying to imbed in my yet to be bought/painted/tested army. I was thinking maybe weapons taken from chaos champs, blessed/reforged/exercorsisemed(sp?) into weapons Chapter heroes could use. Even pondered the idea of maybe a chaos vehicle reworked into a usuable Emeperor blessed chapter vehicle. Land Raider/Predator..something like that. Maybe not, and even if I did it would be just for fluff's sake. I don't wanna get way out there with idea's just something plausible and add's some garlic to the flavor of the chapter.

I can't help it. I had to do it again..I have a fetish with dice/charts/and random results. This time I noticed some changes from last night..but anyways.

Strategic Prognestication
35th Millenium (again)
Iron Hands ( I don't know much about them)
Flawed - 20% - Disturbing Voices
Uphold the Honor of the Emperor
Suffer Not the Alien to Live.
Chapter Master (Hero..go figure)
Imperial Glory
Hive World/Jungle/Distant (Weird..a Jungle Hive World. I like that idea.)
Codex Chapter
Ranged Combat
Totemic Charm
Steel over Flesh
Nominal
Adaptus Titanicus (Good folks to make friends with)
Dark Eldar (Goes well with the Suffer not the Alien to live)

I do like the generator, but I'm pretty much set on the first set of results even if things are changed since last night. I just hate re-rolling until I find something that suites me, sort of defeats the purpose of a random generator. But the 2nd time I did the generator I still had fun, yeah..it would be nice to mix and match results, but again if I did that what's the point in rolling. I might have to change a couple things on the first roll since they were an Ultramarines spawned chapter. Wasn't to keen on the idea of my Marines acting like crackheads, not being able to sleep for a while..and when they did it was for a long time. But if I can think of anything Spikey about what else you wanna add I can help out.

Maybe a rivalry with other chapters? And use the SM generator to make up some random name of the rivalry. Friends and enemies are a good option, but might be kinda neat to have a rivalry with a successorchapter created from one of the original chaps. Like in the Armegeddon campaign the Flesh Tearers and the Sisters of Battle don't like one another. I guess you could get right down to generating every single aspect of the chapter, but that would take away from the creative juices to fill in the blanks.

I was also thinking of maybe having to generate certain high end prestige rewards, yet again I think the player of the Chapter should decide based on real life battles. I dunno, lots of potential to this generator thing, but you don't want your marines created for you. That's up to GW, with the original loyalist and even CSM's to fluff them out. Sorry kinda tired and just ranting.

One last idea, maybe a Chapter color roll. Maybe a primary 100d roll, and a secondary 10d roll.

Ok, I'm gunna burn my podium down now. I was just ranting. BTW, for the first results for marines, I'd name them the WarBringers, with a dark copper and dark red for the main color scheme, with maybe white or gold as secondary. A deep, dried crusty red. Might even make an introduction post for them, more for me then anyone else. Once I have an intro for what I want I'm a lot more motivated.
R

Suffer Not the ALien to Live
20%
 
#29 ·
I thought the Space Wolves can't have any successors after the disaster with the Wolf Brothers...
 
#30 ·
There are no known successors after the disaster with the Wolf Brothers, but that's why there's only 1% chance that you'll roll a SW successor on the generator.


@Commissar Schultz- if you wanted to do rivalries you could always roll again on the Friends chart to determine an Imperial rival as well.
It would certainly be too much work for me to work out the complexities of being able to roll for specific forces within an organisation (though I'm speaking from a position of being dog tired so maybe by Wednesday I'll have reconsidered, I'll get back to you).
 
#32 ·
Here's the basic skeleton for my Chapter the Iron Talons:

Why was the Chapter Founded?
Standing Force

When was the Chapter Founded?
35th Millennium (10th, same as the Astral Claws)

Progenitor
Ultramarines

Gene-Stock Purity
A New Generation

Chapter Demeanour
Suffer Not The Alien To Live

Gene-Seed Deficiencies

No Deficiency

Who are the Chapter's heroes?
Chapter Master Varus Anvilus- Ork's Bane

1st Captain Tyr Beltane- Imperial Glory

What type of planet is the Chapter's Home World?
Uninhabited World

Home World Predominant Terrain
Wasteland

Relationship with Home World
Direct Rule

How Closely Does the Chapter follow the Codex Astartes?

Codex Chapter

Combat Doctrine
Codex Combat Doctrine/Terror

Special Equipment
Preferred Fighting Style

Chapter Beliefs
Death Cult

What is the current status of your Chapter?
Nominal

Friends
Adeptus Arbites

Enemies
The Orks

------------------------------------------------------------------------

So now I've just got to add some meat to these here bones, but I'm liking what I'm seeing so far (especially the fact the CM has Ork's Bane as his Deed of Legend, the Chapter has a special hatred for Xenos, and the Chapter's most hated enemies are Orks...it's like the generator handed me a story on a silver platter).
 
#33 ·
Immortal Redeemers

Why was the Chapter Founded?:

Strategic Prognostication

When was the Chapter Founded?

Unknown

Progenitor

Ultramarines

Gene-Stock Purity

New generation

Codex Demeanours

Swift As The Wind

Who are the Chapter's heroes?

Chief Librarian Romanus
Deeds: Crusader

Company Captain Lexon Malachai 10th company
Deeds: Enemy of Chaos Daemon prince slain Gratus Adeon


What type of planet is the Chapter's Home World?

Hive Urban
Rule: Distant

How closely does the Chapter follow the Codex Astartes?

Divergent Chapter

Combat Doctrine

Shock And Awe

Modified Weaponry

Chapter Beliefs
Revere the Primarch

What is the current status of your Chapter?

Under Strength

Friends and Enemies

Friends:
Adeptus Titanicus
Scholastica Psykana

Enemies:
Daemon Prince/Daemon/Disciple of Chaos
The Orks

This is a awesome tool! loved using it my only quesiton is about chapter beliefs what do they all mean? I get revere the primarch. Its just some of the others I don't really get.
 
#34 ·
This is a awesome tool! loved using it my only quesiton is about chapter beliefs what do they all mean? I get revere the primarch. Its just some of the others I don't really get.
Glad you find it useful, here's a more indepth look at the various belief systems (again it's very generalised and doesn't go into quite as much depth as Deathwatch: Rites of Battle)

Revere The Primarch
- The Chapters holds the Primarch of it's Progenitor at the centre of it's belief system. Theyworship/venerate the Emperor but most of their devotions are directed to the Primarch.

The Emperor Above All- The Chapters holds the Emperor as the ultimate object of it's devotions.

Honour The Ancestors- The Chapters worships one of it's heroes above all others. Though the Emperor and Primarch are fully acknowledged the hero is considered an intercessional figure who sits at the right side of the Master of Mankind.

Death Cult- The Chapter's beliefs are not centred on one figure but on the abstract notion of death itself. As the so-called "Angels of Death", the Space Marines' very existence is defined by their ability to slay their foes.

Totem Creature- Many Chapters have as their symbol some form of animal, either an actual creature or one from mythology. Many aspire to the qualities displayed by the creature, displaying related motifs in their livery and titles. Some even utilise tactics and weapons inspired by the manner in which their totem creature fights or hunts.

Purity Of Man- While all Chapters detest mutation in all it's forms, some take their values to such an extent that they believe the Adeptus Astartes alone are the true inheritors of the Emperor, that they were made according to his peerfect vision and that mere mortals are inherently inferior. Some carry this through to a rejection of artificial augmetics.

Steel Over Flesh- The exact opposite of those who believe in the purity of the human form, there are those Chapters that believe the flesh is weak and that only steel can withstand both time and the rigours of war.

Estoeric Beliefs
- A small number of Chapters have inherited quite unusual beliefs from the cultures they recruit from, and these have become intermingled with their veneration of the Emperor or of the Primarch.
Anything from adhering to the Cult of Mars to believing the Emperor is a Sun God.
 
#35 · (Edited)
A quick go at my Chapter, currently known as the "Vigilant Icons".

Why was the Chapter Founded?

To crusade against the threats possessed by Xenos.

When was the Chapter Founded?

38th Millenium

Gene seed

Progenitor?

Raven Guard

Gene-Stock Purity?

Pure

Progenitor Demeanours

Raven Guard: See, But Don't Be Seen

Codex Demeanours

See, But Don't Be Seen

Founding Fathers/Figures of Legend

Who are the Chapter's heroes?

Mortes Valar, Chapter Master

First Chapter master of the [chapter name]. Known to the entire sector for having liberated a dozen planets from the alien orks. To this day the Chapter maintains a small monastry on each of these worlds, both as a memory of the great purge and a bastion to protect the planets.

Sartak Arteus, Master of Sanctity

Led the Chapters fabled first Company in a long crusade that saw the complete defeat of an alien empire by now forgotten. After several more centuries of war, he, and the most of the first company were lost in the warp. The Chapter is still waiting for him to return to them.

Home World

While the Chapter itself is fleet based, it is constantly rectruiting from the small monastries raised on the planets conquered by the first Chapter Master.

[Will detail these in my upcoming Index Astartes article. :)]

Relationship with Recruitment Worlds

Distant Rule

Organisation

How closely does the Chapter follow the Codex Astartes?

Divergent Chapter

Combat Doctrine

Lightning Strike, spearheaded by a squadron of Storm Raven gunships, often combined with a drop pod assault. Upon a planetary invasion it will also just minutes before be proceeded by a orbital bombardment.

Special Equipment

Sword fighting is an old tradition in the Chapter, and it is considered an great honor to bring the Emperors judgement upon his foes with a sword of some sort. This sword ranges from the standard Chain Sword to Power Swords and Combat Blades. The chapter maintains a unusually large number of power weapons of varied sorts.

On several occasions, a member of a strike force has carried with him a holy relic from the chapters past to inspire his comrades to greater deeds on the field of battle. Thus it is a common site to see the Company Standard bearer carry a relic of some sort instead of the banner.

The favored transport of the Chapter is the Storm Raven gunship, which they have been employing since their founding.

Chapter Beliefs

The Chapter venerates its Primarch and the Emperor as almost holy figures, but above all they venerate the memory of the greatest heroes from the Chapters past.

Current Status

The Current status of the Chapter

The Chapter has always been under strenght compared to the standards set by the Codex Astartes. The Chapter fields only eight Battle Companies, of which three are Battle Companies.

Friends and Enemies

The Chapter is at very good terms with the Imperial Navy, and on several occasion has one of the Navy cruisers been in the Chapters service for extended periods of time, under the command of a Captain, and some times under a Sergeant leading a strike force, sometimes as small as just a combat squad.

The Chapter reserves a particular hate for Xenos of all sorts, prioritising their extermination from the stars above all other.
 
#36 ·
Heyo everybody. i decided to go through this whole thing and pick out what i wanted with the way my chapter fluff is heading. this is just a base overview and i'm gonna flesh it out when i have the chance to sit down and work hard at it. if this piques your intrest the rest o my fluff i've done so far(admitadely of varying quality :unsure:) i got a link to the other stuff in my signiture.



why was the chapter founded
Crusade to standing force

when was the chapter founded
35th millenium

Geneseed
Primogenitor:
Sanguinus\Blood Angels

Gene-Stock Purity
A New Generation:

Codex Demeanours:
Scions of Mars/See,But don't be seen

Heroes

Chapter Master: Dienekes

Chief Librarian: Dileas

Homeworld

Type of Planet: Mideval

Home world terrain: Desert(day); Jungle/wasteland(night)

Relationship with Homeworld: Distand Rule

Orginization

Codex adhearence: Divergent Chapter

Combat Doctrine: Stealth

Special Equipment:Beastial Companion/special vehicle

Current Status: Over Strength

Friends: Adeptus Mechanicus/Titanicus

Enemies: The Orks
 
#37 · (Edited)
This was a really good idea Baron S, its a really great generator that gives all ideas and lends to the imagination. It does favor Ultramarines though I do know the reasons why, they are a more widespread chapter as are there beliefs. My new Chapter is in fact Ultramarines descended.


Origins​

Why was the Chapter Founded
Strategic Prognostication (created in order to oppose some future prophesised/anticipated event)

The Spectre Knights were created to hold dominion over the Aura Region, a region of space in the Eastern Fringe famed for the colorful auras its planets emit due to conflicting chemicals in their atmospheres, it is unknown why all the worlds in this region have these chemicals. In M37.351 it was prophecised that a force from the Great Enemy would emerge in the Aura Region and that the region would be the staging grounds for an assault on Holy Terra. The Spectre Knights were created with the purpose of preventing this as the prophecy states the invasion will come from within the region.

When was the Chapter Founded?
38th Millennium

The Spectre Knights were founded on the dawn of the 38th millennium. Their chapter was created at double speed over five hundred years as the Hight Lords feared the Aura Prophecy, as it came to be known, was not far off.

Name
Spectre Knights

The Chapter was named for its battle style and colorings. Their stealth and terror combat doctrines combined with their gun-metal grey, pale white and deep black colorings make them appear ghostly.


Gene-Seed​

Progenitor
Ultramarines

The Spectre Knights are originally of the Ultramarines. Their ties with their parent-chapter are strained due to differences in ideals and combat doctrines, mainly that the Spectre Knights think of the Codex Astartes as 'a useful guide to war, but not the holy tome that many believe it to be'. Though they do not see eye to eye they have a standing promise that should the Aura Prophecy come true, the Ultramarines will mobilize to aid them. Marneus Calgar renewed this promise the dawn of M41, the chapter's 3000th Founding Day.

Gene-Stock Purity
A New Generation (attempts have been made to "breed out" real or perceived flaws in the Progenitor's gene-stock, introducing some divergence. Some links maybe maintained with it's Progenitor but it's just as likely to strike out on it's own. Instead of using the Progenitor's Chapter Demeanour, choose or roll on Table 1.5 to select one of the Codex Demeanours)

The Spectre Knights believe their parent-chapter to be slavish in their devotion to the Codex, but are truly horrified by their aversion to free thought. However they have respected Ultramarines who share their viewpoint such as the deceased 4th Captain Idaeus, and mourned his passing.

Codex Demeanours
See, But Don't Be Seen (The Chapter understands well the value of maintaining a silent, unseen vigil on the foe, striking only when his target is at its weakest and most vulnerable)

The Chapter practices free thought and encourages marines to think beyond the parameters of an answer. Though strict in discipline they encourage all to weight in on situations, command discussions accept anyone with an idea, all ideas are weighed until a decision is made.

The Chapter uses a stealth doctrine of combat, preferring to harry the enemy with sabotage and sniper attacks. Their terror doctrine adds into this as they kill those who are most likely to bring soldiers together and make a spectacle of their corpses, they have also been known to infiltrate enemy compounds and assassinate those in the greatest position of safety to demoralize the enemy and make them fear.


Gene-Seed Deficiencies
No Mutations

The Spectre Knights have no mutations or gene-seed deficiencies.


Founding Fathers/Figures of Legend​

Who are the Chapter's heroes?
1.) Master of Sanctity Numitor Endymion

The 2nd Master of Sanctity and Chapter Master of the Spectre Knights during the end days of M38 and the first half of M39, Numitor Endymion is a legend amongst the chapter. Leading the defense of the shrine world Belsarius Tertius against the Daemonic hordes of Kamt'ehal'gar the Tainting One the Master of Sanctity fought the Daemon prince in personal combat and slew him, taking his head as a trophy.

It was four hundred years later that Kamt'ehal'gar returned and fought Numitor Endymion for the second time. A disruption of the Warp caused a time shift, creating a zone out of sync with the rest of time on Belsarius Tertius. Both Numitor and Kamt'ehal'gar were trapped within the field and still fight to this day, neither tiring or stopping. The Chapter Librarians have said the field is beginning to weaken as of M41 and that both may be freed one day, a hero and a daemon. The chapter whispers that when the field falls both will have a final confrontation that only one will survive.


2.) Seconded Hadril Morden (Original Founder/Chapter Master) (Former First Captain)

The former First Captain of the Ultramarines Hadril Morden was chosen by the Chapter Master and the Hight Lords of Terra to form the newly created Spectre Knights chapter. Hadril was famed in his chapter as an expert on Orks and was known both by the Imperium and the Orks as the man who masterminded the Imperial invasion of the Dakkmar Empire and killed the Dakka-Warlord Grunchlagar. It is estimated over five million Orks perished in that conflict and many Orks still curse the name Morden, the Empire-Enda.

Perished during the Adarian Crusade M38.508. Died at 846 years old, 508 years after Chapter's founding.


3.) Battle-Brother Rius Damiel (3rd Company, 4th Squad)

During the Castielial Crusade M40.320 against the renegade world Raxan, a crusade the Spectre Knights were losing, Battle-Brother Rius Damiel claimed to have had a vision of the Emperor. He had been told of a major supply depot that the rebels had hid from them. Acting on this information the chapter successfully destroyed a huge supply cache, denying the rebels fresh supplies for a year.

Damiel's visions continued, allowing him to guide the chapter in the systematic destruction of the rebel forces and their Dark Eldar sponsors, finally leading the last battle against the enemy forces and taking the heads of both the rebel leader Anxol Kanda and the Archon Tela'massal of the Lords of Iron Thorn Kabal.

Mortally wounded during the Zachatal Defence M40.571. Currently entombed in a Dreadnought. Known as the Prophet of the Spectres. Has been tested but is confirmed to possess no psychic gift, yet continues to receive visions.


Deeds of Legend
1.) Enemy of Chaos (The individual was a stalwart enemy of the servants of Chaos, and slew a Daemon Prince)

2.) Ork's Bane (The figure is remembered as the bane of the Orks, to such an extent that his name is known to the vile greenskins even to this day)

3.) Imperial Glory (The hero led a glorious campaign against a rebel army, defeating the foe and bringing an entire sector back into the Emperor's light)


Home World

What type of planet is the Chapter's Home World?
1.) Medieval World (Belsarius Secundus, known as Umberin to natives)

Belsarius Secundus, or Umberin to the natives, is a temperate Feudal planet. Split into many kingdoms each king pays their fealty to the High King who rules them all. They are aware of the Space Marines as demi-gods and every generation a tournament is held to determine who will go with the demi-gods to become legend. While not created by the chapter, they use this as a recruitment tournament, and it is customary for the Master of Sanctity to attend and address the aspirants. This is the only time a Space Marine will set foot on the planet's surface except in defense against an attack, this has not occurred yet. The chapter is forbidden to land on the planet at any other time or to reveal their true identities in public to prevent culture shock.

While Feudal Worlds are not normally good recruitment stock Belsarius Secundus is famed for brutal wars that continuously wage between the kingdoms. Champions of these wars are often selected to join the chapter, usually they are abducted however some are offered the chance to join if they have ties to their world. The generation tournament is the prime recruitment method, taking around 30-45 recruits every time.

Numitor Endymion hailed from this world and was famed as a champion before his tournament victory.


2.) Hive World (Belsarius Primaris)

Belsarius Primus was once, likely in M34, a jeweled Hive World and famed for its artists, dancers and singers. However a prolonged war decimated the planet's surface, missiles being launched from orbiting satellites ruined over 90% of the planet. The Hives long since broken the survivors now roam in techno-scavenger gangs that harvest what technology can be taken from the hives and eke out an existence in the barren wastes. Few gangs are lucky enough to find an oasis, but those that do are the envy of all the planet for their sustainable home.

The chapter uses sweeper teams of serfs to gather up these techno-scavengers and indoctrinates them into Imperial service. The chapter avoids the gangs that make the oasis's their home. Most gangs are still aware of the Imperium and a Council of Electives relay the few wishes of the Space Marines to their people, the chapter prefers not to interfere though.

Rius Damiel hails from this world, and was the leader of a captured techno-scavenger gang.


Home World Predominant Terrain
1.) Temperate

2.) Wasteland

Relationship with Home World
1.) Distant Rule (Many Chapters lay claim to a particular home world, yet are rulers in name only. In practice, they take no hand in the affairs of their subjects)

2.) Stewardship (Some Chapters cede the administration of their subjects to a ruling class drawn from the populace, issuing broad directives but maintaining their distance)

Fortress-Monastery
Space-based chapter.

Since the Spectre Knights cannot establish a permanent base on either of their recruiting worlds they were granted a relic space station known as Paragon Point as their fortress-monastery. The station is the size of a Hive and boasts enough weaponry to bring down an entire fleet, it has done so once before. The station houses at least 3,000 personnel and a small section of the station is given over to the Navigators who serve the chapter exclusively.

The station is situated in-between the two binary-orbit worlds Belsarius Primaris and Belsarius Secundus. In-between the two is a narrow air tunnel that shares atmosphere from the two planets, the station is situated in the centre of this tunnel. Because of this and use of gravity platforms to maintain a planet-like gravity the station personnel can walk unhelmeted in open vacuum and many Space Marines use the uniqueness of their environment to contemplate and think on their duty.

In the possibility of an air loss the entire station can put a shield generator up and flood the entire fortress-monastery with oxygen. It has been tested multiple times to ensure speed.



Organisation​

How closely does the Chapter follow the Codex Astartes?
Divergent Chapter (A divergent Chapter is one that strays from the Codex Astartes, but not by a huge degree. Such deviation includes the fielding of specialised formations, such as the Dark Angels' 1st and 2nd Companies, and such Chapters normally follow the Codex in other areas. Some Chapters field a proportion of specialised units that differs from that favoured in the Codex, such as favouring Assault squads over Tactical squads)

The Spectre Knights have specialized their forces in several areas. Firstly all marines are issued camo-cloaks that have been enlarged for their enhanced frames, since the chapter prefers stealth based warfare all brothers are trained in use of the camo-cloak from initiation and master its use. The chapter also issues its marines their own vox-amplifier, allowing them to project their voices across battlefields to demoralize and confuse the enemy.

Secondly are the existence of two distinct types of squads. The Wrecker squads consist of five marines schooled in the arts of sabotage and demolition by the Techmarines. They are taught how best to destroy emplacements and vehicles using explosives and well-placed sabotage. Many chapters consider them cowardly but the Saboteurs have proven to be very effective, many enemies surrendering without a single shot being fired.

The second unique squad are known as Ghost squads. The chapter maintains an eye on all recruits and singles out those who are best skilled for wetwork, namely secret operations, assassinations and spying. These squads formed of five elite marines are equipped with modified sniper-bolters and are trained to be used in black ops. Some in the past received extra training from the Raven Guard and passed these onto the chapter, furthering their expertise.


Combat Doctrine
Stealth (There are some Chapters that have honed the art of a stealthy approach followed by an overwhelming assault to an art form. Some Chapters utilise subtle modification to armour and weaponry, shielding them from detection till the last moment)

The Spectre Knights maintain a stealth warfare based combat doctrine, believing the greatest victory is when the enemy does not even know who bested them. They utilize observation of the enemy to determine the weaknesses, strengths and the best possible plan for victory. Once they have the plan the Spectre Knights engage in a war on two fronts, a silent war of sabotage and assassinations to weaken the enemy and a lightning war using the chapter's tactical and assault squads and vehicles to crush the enemy.

Terror (Some Chapters build their tactics around the notion of inspiring fear in thier foes, even above that they already invoke)

The Spectre Knights utilize terror in their campaigns, attempting to invoke the deepest fears of their enemies to demoralize them and further raise their chances of victory. Vox-amplifiers and gruesome trophy killings are used to great effect in battle.

Special Equipment
Blessed Wargear (It is common for members of this Chapter to have thier Wargear blessed by a Chaplain before battle)

The Spectre Knights revere their chaplains as living legends, thus it is common for every warrior to seek out a chaplain before battle and gain a blessing for his weapon. It has been noted that Spectre Knight weapons have been shown to have more effect on Daemons than standard Imperial weaponry.

Chapter Beliefs
Honour The Ancestors- The Chapters worships one of it's heroes above all others. Though the Emperor and Primarch are fully acknowledged the hero is considered an intercessional figure who sits at the right side of the Master of Mankind.

The Spectre Knights practice ancestor worship. The legends of their chapter, usually chaplains, are immortalized in statues of black glass from Belsarius Primaris and an entire wing of their fortress-monastery is given over to these statues, which depict the legends in their prime and detail what they were known for.

The chapter also has a reverence for its chaplains. They are seen as important figures and many will heed the advice of a chaplain without argument, though they will debate it but are usually satisfied with what they are told. Their reverence is so great that the positions of Chapter Master and Master of Sanctity were merged upon Numitor Endymion's ascension. Since then the dual-offices of Chapter Master and Master of Sanctity have always been held by one man.



Current Status

What is the current status of your Chapter?
Over Strength (Some Chapters maintain more than the prescribed ten companies, though it is rare for more than a handful more to be fielded) (Overall strength 1200 Marines)

The Chapter maintains an extra scout company at all times to replace their losses. Operations are considered so important that lack of men cannot be accepted as an excuse, thus the chapter maintains a second scout company so that reinforcements are nearly always available. The chapter also maintains a second elite company, so that the First Company is kept at full strength with veteran reinforcements from the 12th Company.

Friends and Enemies
Friends: Navigators

During the reign of Numitor Endymion the Spectre Knights answered a distress call by a Navigator clan who had come under attack by Dark Eldar. The First Company rallied under Endymion and not only repelled the pirates but were able to counter-board their vessel and rescue all those taken captive, over 10,000 were saved including the Navigator Patriarch's daughter. In gratitude the Patriarch pledged his clan to the chapter and an entire family of Navigators lives on the chapter's fortress-monastery.

Enemies: Daemon Prince/Daemon/Disciple of Chaos

After Numitor Endymion and Kamt'ehal'gar were trapped in the time dilation field the host of the Daemon Prince was taken over by his second in command, a Daemonic Champion named Roh'kelu'harq who has sworn to destroy the Spectre Knights chapter and free their lord and master. The host has been repelled twice since the last duel on Belsarius Tertius and they have not been seen for 700 years. Many in the chapter, including the Chief Librarian, believe they will return again soon for their third attempt.

The chapter has a pronounced hatred for those who serve with Chaos, believing them to have thrown away their free will and embraced slavery under evil. Brother-marines who can account an important Chaos figure in their kills are respected amongst the chapter.



Thanks for the great guide Baron, had a lot of fun creating these guys and I think I will be using them in some future short stories. Glad I got a Hero with Enemy of Chaos and then Chaos as an enemy. Very lucky.

Lord of the Night
 
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