Firstly, a question:
Will the unit squad numbers be upgradeable?
Im sorry if this complicates things, but it would be an idea to allow more flexibility when picking and choosing units and weapons to employ. It would also tie in with the tabletop game.
Along a similar vein, will there be a set limit to the overall weapons amount, as opposed to just the amount allowed per weapon type?
Next- yes you've been waiting for it, a summary of the background of each civ (very brief mind- its a lot of work to be doing when exams are near!)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Background Overview:
Macharius Remnant
The survivors of the flagship Lord Solar Macharius. Under the command of Leoten Semper, Combat Fleet Macharius (containing all the other ships/factions listed below btw) was to proceed to the Armageddon system to bolster the failing Imperial Navy in that area.
However, after a number of strange occurences en route to the space dock, the fleet arrived later than intended. In a desperate gamble, Semper decided to try and fly directly to Armageddon through an unstable area of space known as the Blood Nebula, famed for its frequent warp storms and the taint of Chaos (think a miniture Eye of Terror) , instead of taking the more circuitious route around the potentially lethal rip in the fabric of reality.
All appeared well, and the fleet was over half way across the Blood Nebula sector, when the ship appeared. Semper, being the experienced tactician immediately put the fleet on battle alert, but it was too late. The ship heralded the arrival of a devestating warp storm, an enemy that even the military genius Semper couldn't withstand.
The fleet was broken in a matter of seconds, and Semper gave the order to flee. The flagship was wracked by the powers of the warp, and the bridge lost contact with an ever increasing number of decks.
Just when all hope appeared to have faded, a planet loomed out of the swirling eddies around the ship. Malicious as it looked, Semper decided it was his only hope, and he ordered full power to the thrusters....
Imperial Ravens
Colonel Ravensburg joined Combat Fleet Macharius at Space Dock, with his vessel 'Insurgence of Light' and assorted escorts. Initially, the stern military figure disapproved of the comparatively young Semper's brashness. However, before long the Colonel was won over by the Flag-Captain's leadership and motivational abilities, and led his vessels after Semper's without question.
The 'Insurgence of Light' was one of the last vessels to enter the Blood Nebula, and the first to enter the atmosphere of the Red Planet....
47th Company
The Men of the 47th Squadron, Imperial Guards, are living legends amongst the ordinary people of the Imperium. Many victories against the enemies of the Emperor would not have been won without the help of these loayl yet terrifyingly efficient killers. Tasked with liberating the people of Armageddon, the men of the 47th Company accompanied Semper for naval protection en route to the system, and to lend a small amount of combat power to the mighty fleet aswell.
They didn’t envisage the mighty warp storm that would cross their path, nor the deaths of most of the higher ranking officers, fighting the demons that penetrated to the bridge of the Capital ship, before it was ripped apart by the malignant powers of the warp.
Captain Renius was in charge of the only 47th Comapany vessel to reach the relative safety of the Planet, a small battle barge known as the “Deliverance”….
Ceresians
The ‘Ceresians’ is the adopted name of the survivors from the cruiser ‘Ceres Faith’. The huge vessel was on an Inquisitorial mission to find and cleanse a planet in the infamous Blood Nebula sector, known only as Naryan, or “Terror”.
It had only just split from Battle Fleet Macharius, and commenced the search for the lost planet, when it was overrun by a vicious Warp Storm, and left severely damaged. Most of the lower decks were compromised, and the crippled vessel tried to limp back towards the last known position of the fleet. With only one thruster still operating, finding a bearing was a huge problem, and before long the navigators found that even the psychic beacon of the Astronomican was lost in this corrupt area of space. For days, the wounded vessel lumbered around, and even the faithful Inquisitors were about to give up hope.
When suddenly, out of the maelstrom of death, a planet of bare Red rock loomed up in front of them. The loyal servants of the Emperor took this to be a sign, but before long they realised that this was no haven, but the planet of Naryan. Damaged and lacking in strength, it appeared their troubles had only just begun…
Vandire Guard
The Vandire Guard are the surviving Guardsmen and Sororitas Marines from the battleship “Wrath of Vandire”. The battleship was the second of its name to be commissioned, after the wreck of the original ship (simply named “Vandire”
was extracted from a space hulk destroyed near the Fortress World of Cadia. The Sororitas were looking for a mobile base, and after extensive repairs and then subsequent cleansing of the Chaos Taint, it was donated to them by Usarker E. Creed.
Chief-Commander Yurathe was only the second man to rise to the rank since the Sisters of Battle claimed the ‘Wrath’ as their own. Possessed with a cunning few men could match, it was rumoured that he had gained his current status through less than proper means. Some even claimed that he was a traitor to the Emperor, and actually had darker motives for his victories than the Glory of the Imperium.
Whatever the truth, the foul denizens of Chaos didn’t spare his ship any more than others in the fleet, and without his stern persecution of anyone who faailed him or left his post, the “Wrath of Vandire” mightn’t have made it to the surface of the Planet at all…
Black Wolves
Little is known of the Black Wolves. According to the official Imperial records, the Black Wolves chapter died out long before the Horus Heresy, and any little extracts after that time which exist of the Black Wolves are considered Myths.
Battle Fleet Macharius encountered an archaic battleship that claimed to be a remnant ship of the Black Wolves, but before the truth could be discovered a warp storm enveloped the fleet and it was forced to turn tail and flee. Sight nor sound was not seen of the ship again until Semper landed on the Red Planet, when long distance scanners picked up an ancient-Human signature sensor trail that could only have come from a prehistoric ship.
Now, somewhere on the far side of Red Planet, Semper knew this mysterious race of pre-Imperium Space Warriors were loose and free to pursue their unknown intentions on a severely weakened Battle Fleet Macharius.
Innovions
The Innovions are the survivors from the huge supply vessel “Innovus”, tasked by Imperial High Command with delivering the aid and much-needed supplies to the people of the Armageddon system. Parr Jervas, the leader of the Innovions, is one of the Emperors most trusted servants, and leads his people with a determination and resourcefulness not often seen among the corrupt and treacherous regions of space…
Blood Guard
The Blood Guard are the surviving members of the only “official” Adeptus Astartes Chapter to be included in Battle Fleet Macharius, the Blood Ravens.
Brutally efficient killers, it was to be the Blood Guard’s job to ‘Take and Hold’ planets in the area surrounding Armageddon, so that Imperials could get a foothold in the region while they attempted to ship in reinforcements. However the warp storm in the Blood Nebula put paid to all this, and scattered a full company of Blood Ravens, killing most of the superhuman Space Marines in the process.
The only ship to make it to the surface of the Planet, relatively safely, out of the entire company of Blood Ravens was the command ship, “Dante”. It was only by the skilful leadership of the Chaplain Lemartes that the rest of the marines made it to the surface safely, and as a result they pledged their lives to defend their leader- they became the “Blood Guard”, honour bound to defend Lemartes at al costs…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
I will be writing up the actual story very shortly if you would like to read it, and it should clarify any details you think i have missed (no doubt there will be some).
Feel free to comment on any changes you think should be made, and TGA will no doubt amend anything he sees fit.
The above of course helps decide some things, like for example the leader "Parr Jervas" should be a resourceful and peacable leader who favours peace, whilst Chief-Commander Yurathe should be a more aggressive and tyrannical leader. It will also help to define the civs, traits, techs, civics, etc.
Below is a more accurate run-down of how i see the civs compositions...
Macharius Remnant- Imperial Navy/Imperial Guard
Imperial Ravens- Space Marine 'Chapter' (not well known)
47th Company- Imperial Guard Commandos (think Kasrkin)
Ceresians- Inquisitors and accompanying Imperial Guards
Vandire Guard- Sisters of Battle
Innovions- Imperial Civilians with mercenary military (ex-Guardsmen?)
Blood Guard- Space Marine Chapter (Adeptus Astartes)
Hopefully you have found this helpful to explain who the civs are and why they are there.
Any questions, il be happy to help. I do intend to write a story which will include everything, although it isnt finished so any little wrinkles i would like ironing out before i post it- questions,constructive criticism, etc appreciated.
thanks,
mrkingkong
