The Hektor Heresy Forum
Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.

The Iron Rangers

3 posters

Go down

The Iron Rangers Empty The Iron Rangers

Post by Rogerius Merrill Sun Aug 02, 2015 1:04 am

"Many people wonder how the Rangers are able to receive the blessings of the gods. They tell us of their grand religions and ceremonies. Of the millions they slaughter to appease them. They look upon us and see nothing of that.

"The truth is that we are not a religious Legion. We are a spiritual one. The gods do not need such ceremony and pomp. Merely the word of the bloody one as you bury your spear in your enemy's chest. The praise of the serpent as you ensare and trap your foe. Relishing the experience of skinning a man alive appeases the Prince. And the destruction of man-made constructs that befoul the land pleases our uncle.

"As for ceremony, we hold them. But they are private affairs. They are the personal connections each of us hold with the gods and the spirits that accompany us and grant us strength. Others pray for power, for glory, for material possessions. We pray for determination, clairvoyance in our actions, and wisdom to make the correct decisions. In return, others grant the gods souls. We grant the gods their ideals brought to reality."
Rogerius Merrill
Rogerius Merrill

Posts : 73
Join date : 2015-06-15

Back to top Go down

The Iron Rangers Empty Re: The Iron Rangers

Post by Rogerius Merrill Sun Aug 02, 2015 1:21 am

Alright, I know I had some people wondering about faith, and was hoping that might be able to explain a few things. Basically, they ask for and grant more abstract ideas of Chaos, and create a less strict definitions of the gods and daemons.

Any input from the group as to what to do with the IR?
Rogerius Merrill
Rogerius Merrill

Posts : 73
Join date : 2015-06-15

Back to top Go down

The Iron Rangers Empty Re: The Iron Rangers

Post by Uriel Mon Aug 03, 2015 12:20 am

Rogerius Merrill wrote:Alright, I know I had some people wondering about faith, and was hoping that might be able to explain a few things. Basically, they ask for and grant more abstract ideas of Chaos, and create a less strict definitions of the gods and daemons.

Any input from the group as to what to do with the IR?


So the IR have a more personal connection with the gods?

That sounds kind of like they treat them as patron saints, with twists and themes taken from animist theology. It works well, although I think it'd keep the favour of the gods lower in the IR than in other legions. But that does work for the IR, and the potential for chaos totems and other native american religious iconography or themes has my attention...

If you do take them that way, then I'd suggest playing up the IR's individuality/sense of independence.

I feel that the quotes come across quite heavy with the language or phrasing, I'm not entirely sure which, but I don't know how to do better myself.
Uriel
Uriel
Admin

Posts : 69
Join date : 2015-06-10

http://1d4chan.org/wiki/The_/tg/_Heresy

Back to top Go down

The Iron Rangers Empty Re: The Iron Rangers

Post by Rogerius Merrill Mon Aug 03, 2015 9:12 pm

I was going with animism theology mostly. It's actually largely based on one of our local elders leading a ceremony involving lots of people who weren't familiar with the beliefs, and I thought it fit.
Rogerius Merrill
Rogerius Merrill

Posts : 73
Join date : 2015-06-15

Back to top Go down

The Iron Rangers Empty Re: The Iron Rangers

Post by Rogerius Merrill Thu Aug 13, 2015 6:32 pm

So, had an idea while reading up on the Selous Scouts.

We have discussed that the IR do, in fact, have a stock of gene-seed. I was also thinking that they wouldn't stop retrieving theirs from their wounded.

In the end, this means they would need some kind of recruitment method. And I'm thinking this works for Astartes as well as humans.

It starts with any kind of raid/attack/whatever. Normally, they kill everyone. However, when there's those guys that should have died, but are still alive, they take them back. If regular human, they are tested for gene-seed compatability. Those who fail are chucked into the void/warpspace. Those who pass are given (Chaos) medical attention until they're healthy enough to walk/run.

Regardless who the survivors are, they are dropped on Yr Helfa with nothing but a small knife. As a group. They are just released there. On a daemonic planet. There they hunt, and are hunted by the inhabitants, killed by the flora, and hunted for sport by the IR, until there's only one left.

These survivors go through this same thing, over and over. Humans get more implants added and become closer and closer to Astartes, whereas Astartes just keep getting sent back until they have given over completely to the IR way. Regardless, the attrition rate is basically everyone, but it does allow them the ability to gain new recruits from other warbands or loyalist but converted SM.

Game terms, it's an excuse for allies or using more generic/specialist SM units.
Rogerius Merrill
Rogerius Merrill

Posts : 73
Join date : 2015-06-15

Back to top Go down

The Iron Rangers Empty Re: The Iron Rangers

Post by Rogerius Merrill Tue Aug 25, 2015 1:59 am

Did a little bit of cleaning. I had a bit of a chat with Lumey, and wish to adopt a couple of his ideas. First, have Yr Helfa Annherfynol be a hive planet originally that was swallowed by the warp. I wish to keep its location vague, and while it's in the warp, is located significantly deeper into the Eye of Terror.

Aside from that, we had a discussion about how they deal with the unit post-fall. Increased psychosis/psycho/sociopathy, paranoia, etc. would be rampant. Much like Uriel has been saying, seeing them in large numbers gathered together would be rare. I'm torn on things. On one hand, having them together seems like it would be a bad idea. On the other, so does splitting them apart. I think that it would be safe to say that we're still keeping the mercenary angle for them.

I'm thinking no matter what, seeing more than a squad or two outside their new home planet would be EXTREMELY rare. It would take a Warlord who has a combination of extreme strength, skill, and charisma to hold them together for any length of time. That being said, it would make sense for the biggest Warlords to avoid the shit out of each other and spread out, doling out their forces so they are constantly away and can't stab them in the back (literally or metaphorically).

It ALSO makes sense to keep them together. "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer." And their fellow IR Warlords are both. Being near their competition and keeping those under them close would allow them to play their fellows and subordinates against each other, and keep them too busy dealing with each other to deal with you.

That being said, I'm not thinking they're plotting and politicking against each other like in the XIII Legion. But being the bloodthirsty, paranoid, psycho/sociopathic assholes they are, they do wish to acquire strength and power to themselves. And sometimes, the easiest way to do that is to eliminate your direct competition.

On to an older discussion with Alex, I think we should keep Merrill around, and it would be a beneficial move to the Legion. He's a unifying symbol. He might be insane, but aren't they all? And he's right, man. We need to remove ourselves from the shackles of civilization.

Also, the idea of a shadow-primarch-daemon is fucking awesome.
Rogerius Merrill
Rogerius Merrill

Posts : 73
Join date : 2015-06-15

Back to top Go down

The Iron Rangers Empty Re: The Iron Rangers

Post by Lumey Thu Aug 27, 2015 3:34 am

Just to pitch in the analogy I made to Merrill (although he wasn't familiar with the source material), I thought turning the Iron Rangers into the Methuselahs of Vampire:the Masquerade, with the Primarch as their Antediluvian, would be a cool idea. You could even track it down as far as the old Rangers hunting each other for gene-seed, intending to use this material to enhance themselves or make new Marines loyal to them. Rogerius himself is both the great prize and the most deadly hunter.

Other, more sane, Traitors would occasionally stop by at the planet of the Iron Rangers to recruit a dangerous psychopath for a particular job.
Lumey
Lumey

Posts : 75
Join date : 2015-07-30

Back to top Go down

The Iron Rangers Empty Re: The Iron Rangers

Post by Rogerius Merrill Thu Aug 27, 2015 6:45 pm

The Iron Rangers Auwll11
Pic related.

That being said, if Merrill is a Daemon Prince, wouldn't getting his gene-seed be just about impossible?
Or, for that matter, killing him?
Or were you thinking hunting him in the way of collecting coups back in the day (which would tie in very well with the NA aesthetic)?
Rogerius Merrill
Rogerius Merrill

Posts : 73
Join date : 2015-06-15

Back to top Go down

The Iron Rangers Empty Re: The Iron Rangers

Post by Lumey Thu Aug 27, 2015 11:47 pm

I think the most powerful Iron Rangers would have a fantasy of killing Merrill.
Lumey
Lumey

Posts : 75
Join date : 2015-07-30

Back to top Go down

The Iron Rangers Empty Re: The Iron Rangers

Post by Rogerius Merrill Fri Aug 28, 2015 6:05 am

That is possible...
Although, counting coup could be something to be brought in...
If Merrill said "no outright murdering each other," it could be a method of keeping one's warband together or claiming top dog without bloodshed...

For historical reference, counting coup was the act of touching a person in a killing spot during a battle or other form of combat as a way of saying "I could have killed you, I just choose not to." It played into various honor systems, and had a variety of different punishment for the loser of the situation. Usually this involved some sort of ransom, surrender, or other servitude.
Rogerius Merrill
Rogerius Merrill

Posts : 73
Join date : 2015-06-15

Back to top Go down

The Iron Rangers Empty Re: The Iron Rangers

Post by Rogerius Merrill Fri Sep 04, 2015 10:31 pm

Two ideas:
First, having an IR warband that uses the skins of those they've killed as cloaks for concealment.
No idea for a name as of yet, but flayed something or flayers or something with that word used in the name.
I'm thinking of having them be very heavily assault-oriented. Maybe a smaller group, but known for doing some extra psychotic/suicidal shit. Probably started by Arth Codital, and having a preference for lightning claws/power fists.

Second, having a group that wears Oni masks, or something similar.
I'll be honest, not too sure about this one. For one, I don't think it would work Legion-wide. For two, I have no idea what to do with it. Maybe making them more of a subgroup of scouts/recon/long-ranged guys?
CSM snipers?
Idk, I'm trying to do something with a theme that doesn't come off too weeaboo, and going with the Japanese theme, Samurai were usually traditionally archers first and swordsmen second...
Idk. Sharing this post in both the IR thread and Forces of Chaos to get more views.
Rogerius Merrill
Rogerius Merrill

Posts : 73
Join date : 2015-06-15

Back to top Go down

The Iron Rangers Empty Re: The Iron Rangers

Post by Rogerius Merrill Sun Sep 06, 2015 11:51 pm

Alright. Test of something.

Legion Philosophy

The Iron Rangers are a Legion of survivors. They are picked from the dregs of society; the outcasts, the loners, those who are so independent they alienated themselves from their respective cultures. This caused a certain mindset early on. Their isolation and bitterness gave them strength. They were stronger because they were outside of the societies around them. Those coddled humanity. Isolation cultivated willpower, drive, and determination. Physical strength and skill were still important, but the strongest man in the universe would die in days if he did not have the mental fortitude to survive. This started as merely a slight chip on a Marine's shoulder. But as the years of the Crusade went on, it was unconsciously cultivated. By the time of the Heresy, the Iron Rangers were convinced that civilization as a whole was a blight on humanity. Yes, it allowed them certain comforts. But those comforts only led to decadence and sloth. As a species, we were meant to fight, live, and die in the dirt. We were stronger for it. Better. Our societies were pure. They were small communities, gathered together purely to keep themselves alive.

With that in mind, they were sick of spreading the corruption. They wanted to set people free. The ideas of Chaos spread quickly through the ranks, and the primitive beliefs of Profi Tiroedd began to manifest themselves again.

To be continued...
Rogerius Merrill
Rogerius Merrill

Posts : 73
Join date : 2015-06-15

Back to top Go down

The Iron Rangers Empty Re: The Iron Rangers

Post by Rogerius Merrill Mon Sep 07, 2015 2:16 am

After the Heresy and Scouring the Iron Rangers were left adrift. Their causes and beliefs took their toll as they were left adrift in the Warp without a unifying enemy to attack. The command structure quickly broke down as Astartes became significantly more sociopathic and paranoid. Assassinations were common, and units and warbands formed, dissolved, and reformed.

The Legion is extremely quick to solidify when Merrill calls for banners to be raised. They work flawlessly and efficiently when presented with a goal or target. But they always fall back to their normal, chaotic state just as quickly when the fighting is over.

A few warbands have managed to stay together long enough to develop traditions and rituals. These are the exceptions, not the rule. The Legion is largely content to constantly hunt each other, the fauna of their native home, and the few humans living there still pure enough to be possible aspirants. On rare occasions a warband will be strong and large enough to leave to conduct supply raids. Most Iron Rangers who leave are employed as mercenaries to other warbands, seeking out warriors with a very particular skillset.
Rogerius Merrill
Rogerius Merrill

Posts : 73
Join date : 2015-06-15

Back to top Go down

The Iron Rangers Empty Re: The Iron Rangers

Post by Rogerius Merrill Mon Sep 07, 2015 9:52 pm

Rogerius Merrill
Rogerius Merrill

Posts : 73
Join date : 2015-06-15

Back to top Go down

The Iron Rangers Empty Re: The Iron Rangers

Post by Sponsored content


Sponsored content


Back to top Go down

Back to top


 
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum