PDA

View Full Version : Background of the Black Gauntlets Chapter of Astartes



Just_Me
10-29-2009, 07:59 AM
What follows is the first in a series of posts I intend to do about the background I have written for my armies. For the most part I have gotten the background to a place that I like, but I will accept advice for change if it is well founded.

Black Gauntlets

History & Organization: The Black Gauntlets are an Imperial Fists descendant chapter, although the date of their founding is a mystery. The Black Gauntlets themselves claim that they are a Second Founding chapter, but no mention of them can be found in the records of the Second Founding. However, as many records from that period are incomplete this is not considered good evidence either way. The first time they are thought to be mentioned in Imperial records is in M32; in a single account of one of the battles of the 2nd Black Crusade, Astartes warriors whose heraldry matches that of the Black Gauntlets are described as holding a breach in a fortress wall to the last man, long enough for the position to be reinforced. They do not appear again in any known Imperial records until the Apostasy, where they are noted in several accounts as fighting alongside their brothers in the Imperial Fists and Black Templars in the Second Siege of Terra. After this point the chapter’s name appears more frequently in the Imperium’s records. What the chapter’s own earliest records may say of their founding, only they can say. It is a notable and puzzling fact that the Black Gauntlets posses all 19 functioning implants, unlike the Imperial Fists who have lost the phase 12 and 17 implants, adding credence to the idea that their founding was an early one, before the Fist’s gene-seed degraded, although it is unclear why their own gene-seed has remained intact.

The Gauntlets’ most holy relic is a single large armored gauntlet, charred and pitted as if by great heat, that they believe to be their Primarch’s, recovered from the Sword of Sacrilege along with Dorn’s skeletal hand (which is itself in the possession of the Imperial Fists), although it is unclear how the chapter came to posses it. The Black Gauntlets adhere to the belief that their Primarch still lives, having withdrawn after his supposed “death” to avoid unwanted worship from imperial citizenry and to attend upon the Emperor that he might better ensure the safety and health of his beloved father’s body.

The Black Gauntlets are known, as their Primarch before them, for their adherence to duty and capacity for self sacrifice. This has earned them a great deal of respect among the other institutions of the Imperium, similar to that afforded to the Imperial Fists. Their chapter is also known for an intense focus on the swordsman’s art, and their veterans and assault units in particular are well known for their skill at arms. Their powerful sense of martial pride and adherence to duty has occasionally led them to a stubborn refusal to retreat, even in the face of overwhelming enemy force, while this has sometimes given them victory in situations where none was thought possible, it has also occasionally led to unnecessary losses.

Believing that the Astartes have a duty to strive to serve as examples the Emperor’s ideals, the Black Gauntlets are warrior philosophers, with each marine encouraged to devote some of his time to honing his mind with scholarly pursuits. Many of Black Gauntlets pursue history, as the understanding the battles of the past can pertain to current campaigns, but philosophy and even poetry are not uncommon. The contrast between the tranquility of these pursuits and the ferocity of the Astartes at war is frequently considered unnerving by those few outsiders who bare witness to it, but the Black Gauntlets themselves do not see any incompatibility.

The Black Gauntlets’ homeworld of Ceradin Cor is a mountainous world in the Cygnus arm on the border between the Obscurus and Ultima Segmentums. Classified as a Civilized World by the Administratum, it has a small population of only around 30 million, mostly concentrated in cities located in the valleys and along the coastlines. The planet is otherwise wilderness, the mountains being too harsh and sheer to be easily settled or cultivated. The Fortress Monastery of the Black Gauntlets is located high in these mountains. Many of the chapter’s recruits are drawn from this world, among the population it is considered the highest of honors to become an Astartes, those who desire to take part in the trials must reach the Fortress Monastery on foot with nothing more then they can carry. From this seat the chapter nominally controls two other systems with populated planets; the resource rich Death World of Sigattius Cor, and the Industrial World of Talis Cor, these three systems compose the Cerdium Reach and recruits are drawn from all three. Although the Chapter Master of the Black Gauntlets technically holds command of these systems, outright rule is considered incompatible with Rogal Dorn’s concept that the Astartes not be governors. Thus while the Chapter Master bares the title of Viceroy of the Cerdium Reach, true governorship rests with the Council of Stewards, elected officials from among the nobles of all three systems, and the Chapter Master is considered head of the council, although he rarely if ever acts in this role.

Only one or two companies are ever likely to be present on the chapter’s homeworld at any one time. For the rest of the time they are spread out in mobile fleet units. As a result the Black Gauntlets have been involved in actions in every Segmentum at one time or another, although most of their actions have been in the Obscurus and Ultima Segmentums.

Traditionally each company of the Black Gauntlets possesses its own Strike Cruiser and group of attendant escorts. Of the Chapter’s three Battle Barges, one is flexibly deployed wherever it is needed most, the second is the headquarters of the 1st Company, and the third is the flagship of the Chapter Master.

The Chapter Master of the Black Gauntlets is given the title Lord Commander. The present Lord Commander is Vorkovian. At over 900 years old, he is ancient even by the standards of space marines and only a handful of other Astartes outside of the blessed hulls of the Dreadnoughts can rival his age and experience. Lord Commander Vorkovian is still very active in his role as Chapter Master, at the helm of his flagship the Malleus Caelestis he personally takes the fight to the heart of the enemy, and leads as many combat actions as his fellow chapter officers.

Battlecry: We are His mailed fist!

Colors: black, red shoulder plates, left plate trimmed in white.

Sitnam
10-29-2009, 10:21 PM
I quite like the concept. I like that they are unique, but not hyper radical, like you see in alot of DIY chapters. Although, I was under impression that Dorn himself didn't have all the implants, so hiks chapter never had them.

Just_Me
10-29-2009, 11:40 PM
Glad you liked it, I always go for a feel that is different, but not off the wall strange/overpowered. To that end I make sure that there is precedent for each of the chapter's quirks in the official fluff.

As for the gene-seed, it was always my impression that it had degraded over the millennia and become lost to them. I can't imagine why the Fists would simply not have had them to begin with.

Sitnam
10-30-2009, 06:29 AM
Just curious, is their army list based off their fluff, with assault troops and swordsmanship?

Just_Me
10-30-2009, 08:06 AM
Just curious, is their army list based off their fluff, with assault troops and swordsmanship?

Kind of, that’s more of a holdover from the previous codex where it was my justification for the furious charge USR purchased through No Mercy, No Respite. However, I liked the concept, so it simply stayed in. Eventually I intend to add some Vanguard Vets to fit with that concept, but I have several other projects before I get to that.

rsheridan5
11-12-2009, 08:53 PM
I like the story man. I like the flow, and would like to hear some more about some of their exploits.
I am picturing something like five assault squads jumping over a wall with chainswords buzzing, and bolt pistols barking...

Just_Me
11-12-2009, 10:32 PM
Thanks, I'm glad to hear you liked it. I try to give my fluff its own unique flavor without going overboard.

If you have the time or inclination, check out the background I wrote for my Imperial Guard, I just edited it (after properly calculating the troop strengths based on the organization I have already devised). It should still down at the bottom of this page. I have been slowly working on some more background material, but it's slow going as I have a lot of other more important stuff going on.

I you or anyone else have any criticism or ideas for how/where I can improve either the fluff itself or my own writing, I would love to hear it.

gorepants
11-13-2009, 01:29 AM
Like it. A chapter without an over top back story is good to see. Certainly much better than I could do.

Since you asked for writing critique, here are the two things that really stood out:


Only one or two companies are ever likely to be present on the chapter’s homeworld at any one time. For the rest of the time they are spread out in mobile fleet units. Thus the Black Gauntlets have been involved in actions in every Segmentum at one time or another, although most of their actions have been in the Obscurus and Ultima Segmentums. Of the Chapter’s three Battle Barges, one is assigned wherever it is needed most, one is the headquarters of the 1st Company, and the third is the flagship of the Chapter Master.

The last sentence is confused - the first half deals with where they go, second with whom. This would be better phrased addressing just one of these. I think you should be addressing which marines go on since 2/3 of the ships have specific crews. Maybe something about the first being used in a flexible role (or how ever you envision it being used). And I'd drop the 'thus', since it's redundant.


The Chapter Master of the Black Gauntlets is known as the Lord Commander; currently Lord Commander Vorkovian is the Chapter Master of the Black Gauntlets. Over 900 years old he is ancient even by the standards of space marines, and only a handful of other Astartes outside of the blessed hulls of the Dreadnoughts can rival his age and experience. With his flagship the Malleus Caelestis Vorkovian is a very active Chapter Master, personally leading almost as many combat actions as any of his fellow chapter officers.

The first sentence here is cluttered, with 'Chapter Master of the Black Gauntlets' repeated. The second needs the comas moved. And the third is rhetorically weak (as in, he needs his flagship to do almost as much work as his officers). It would be better if it was more active. Can I suggest something like:


The Chapter Master of the Black Gauntlets is given the title Lord Commander. The present Lord Commander is XXX Vorkovian. At over 900 years old, he is ancient even by the standards of space marines and only a handful of other Astartes outside of the blessed hulls of the Dreadnoughts can rival his age and experience. Lord Vorkovian is still very active in his role as Chapter Master, taking his flagship the Malleus Caelestis to the heart of the enemy and personally leading as many combat actions as his fellow chapter officers.

The second clause in the last sentence is a bit of a hack job, but I hope it conveys my idea.

Just_Me
11-13-2009, 09:45 AM
While blind praise is nice (and makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside) this exactly the sort of advice I was most hoping for. I is very easy to miss grammatical errors in your own writing (after all, you know perfectly well what you are trying to say!). I have implemented most of the changes you suggested, let me know what you think, and if you have a chance take a look at this:

http://www.lounge.belloflostsouls.net/showthread.php?t=3065

and let me know if you have any similar advice. And don't hesitate to bring up questions about the fluff itself, if that doesn't make sense or needs clarification I would like to know about it.

Duke
11-13-2009, 12:11 PM
I just wanted to throw my two cents in... Even though a lot of people have already said it.

I really like the whole idea that they aren't overpowered. Too many times you want to make them defeating a while hive fleet or Singelhandedly holding the Eternity gate. . . Oh wait, that over the top-ness already exists, lol

Kudos on the well developed fluff

Duke

imperialsavant
11-13-2009, 05:32 PM
;) As a Black Templar player its alway great to be able to welcome another Chapter of Dorns Sons!
Great Fluff, I really like your back story & as others have said one that is NOT over the Top!

How about some pics as I would love to see your colour scheme & some models.
Oh & how about an Army List?

Good luck with your campaining!

Just_Me
11-13-2009, 07:04 PM
;) As a Black Templar player its alway great to be able to welcome another Chapter of Dorns Sons!
Great Fluff, I really like your back story & as others have said one that is NOT over the Top!

How about some pics as I would love to see your colour scheme & some models.
Oh & how about an Army List?

Good luck with your campaining!

Thanks, I'm glad you liked it, we sons of Dorn have to stick together (all too many of Guilliman's lot around). I will see what I can do about getting some pics and an army list up here...