The Warhammer 40.000/Fantasy Discussion Thread Mk.II

[Awitha]

Yay space sharks

[Jetan]

So, I'll be getting a copy of Traitor Legions early in January... But, I'm torn as to how I should use it. My Chaos models are gearing up towards the Nightlords as I like their fluff, Primarch, and color scheme. However, from the reviews I've seen, they're one of the weaker legions in the book. So, to anyone else who has it already, or knows about it through reviews like me, I could use some other opinions. Should I stick with Nightlords, or should I convert to the evils of the powergamer and go for a legion that has some of the more brokenly overpowered stuff?

I don't have it because I don't play chaos, but I'd stick with Nightlords. It's fine being competitive and trying to win, but powergamers just suck the joy out of the hobby.

[Cymrea]

So, I'll be getting a copy of Traitor Legions early in January... But, I'm torn as to how I should use it. My Chaos models are gearing up towards the Nightlords as I like their fluff, Primarch, and color scheme. However, from the reviews I've seen, they're one of the weaker legions in the book. So, to anyone else who has it already, or knows about it through reviews like me, I could use some other opinions. Should I stick with Nightlords, or should I convert to the evils of the powergamer and go for a legion that has some of the more brokenly overpowered stuff?

I don't have it because I don't play chaos, but I'd stick with Nightlords. It's fine being competitive and trying to win, but powergamers just suck the joy out of the hobby.

Wholly agreed. Unless you're going to fully commit yourself and your bank account to being a competitive tournament powergamer, play what you enjoy. It's already an egregiously expensive hobby - though with a truly awesome fluff - so just have fun with it.

And if you ever get any good at painting tiny lightning, your Nightlords will look amazing.

[The Armed Republic of Dutch Coolness]

I bought the Kharn the Betrayer model today. Look forward to putting it together!

[Second Sanctuary]

So, theoretically speaking, if one were interested in getting into the W40k tabletop and they found the Tau interesting, would a Farsight Enclaves set up be a good place to start? The Crisis Suits seem both easy to paint and relatively crunchy, but I've only ever seen a few games played IRL. Any help at all would be appreciated immensely.

[Jetan]

I don't have it because I don't play chaos, but I'd stick with Nightlords. It's fine being competitive and trying to win, but powergamers just suck the joy out of the hobby.

Wholly agreed. Unless you're going to fully commit yourself and your bank account to being a competitive tournament powergamer, play what you enjoy. It's already an egregiously expensive hobby - though with a truly awesome fluff - so just have fun with it.

And if you ever get any good at painting tiny lightning, your Nightlords will look amazing.

Exactly. And if you are going to go down that road be a good sport about it and tell that to potential opponents in non-tournament setting so they can look for another match if it's not their thing.

[The Derpy Democratic Republic Of Herp]

I just realized that The Adeptus Mechanicus are bad ass Rotom Trainers.

[Maichuko]

I'm going to order the novel Dead men walking. Has anyone read it?

[Hirota]

So err, anyone want to try and explain why Peta is getting antsy over a bunch of fictional animals getting fictionally killed and their fictional pelts getting worn by fictional army types?

[Bhikkustan]

So err, anyone want to try and explain why Peta is getting antsy over a bunch of fictional animals getting fictionally killed and their fictional pelts getting worn by fictional army types?

Words alone cannot express the halirity of this

[Minzerland II]

So err, anyone want to try and explain why Peta is getting antsy over a bunch of fictional animals getting fictionally killed and their fictional pelts getting worn by fictional army types?

Peta does what Peta does. It is best not to make sense of their reasoning, for you shall find none; best to just ignore them.

[Baltenstein]

No such thing as bad publicity.

PETA says something incredibly stupid, PETA gets talked about, simple.

[Morrdh]

No such thing as bad publicity.

PETA says something incredibly stupid, PETA gets talked about, simple.

This is why PETA should just be ignored.

[The Huskar Social Union]

So err, anyone want to try and explain why Peta is getting antsy over a bunch of fictional animals getting fictionally killed and their fictional pelts getting worn by fictional army types?

You know when i read the PC gamer article i was not even surprised, like at all.

Which is kind of sad.

[Cymrea]

So now PETA wants to eliminate the depiction of fur that bears no impact on animals whatsoever?

That's just full retard.

[G-Tech Corporation]

So now PETA wants to eliminate the depiction of fur that bears no impact on animals whatsoever?

That's just full retard.

In the Grim Darkness of the Far Future, animal cruelty is a major concern of the Emperor of Man.

Not.

[Pacific Brotherhood of Steel]

You guys don't understand, animals are being hurt by the Space Wolves. Nevermind the Cadians being murderraped by daemons.

[Cymrea]

You guys don't understand, animals are being hurt by the Space Wolves. Nevermind the Cadians being murderraped by daemons.

Laughing Bloodthirsty Gods for the Ethical Treatment of Cadians.

[Crookfur]

So err, anyone want to try and explain why Peta is getting antsy over a bunch of fictional animals getting fictionally killed and their fictional pelts getting worn by fictional army types?

Becasue one of thier members came across a pic of space wolves on facebook/instagram/whatever and pinged it into the echo chmaber. UK office does a cursory 5 min glance at lexicanium and runs a quick look at the demographic numbers for the community they cna find on facebbook. HQ disocvers that the community demographics are mostly young males of the sort who would be expected to be triggered by an outsider messing with thier thing.

Thus the troll bait is sent to GW and stuck into every media outlet that still listens to PETA when it doesn't provide pics of hot mostly naked chicks. PETA sits back waiting for the hate, butthurt and trolling to roll in so they can rack up the trending points and point at all the evil online trools attacking them.

Fortunatly in this instance all they acheived was to send 40k to the top of the trending lists and get thoroughly mocked because they failed to relise the nature of the love/hate relationship that exists between GW and its fan communities and the fact that said communities tend to be much more vocal in thier mockery than any real rage.

[Hurdergaryp]

So err, anyone want to try and explain why Peta is getting antsy over a bunch of fictional animals getting fictionally killed and their fictional pelts getting worn by fictional army types?

Becasue one of thier members came across a pic of space wolves on facebook/instagram/whatever and pinged it into the echo chmaber. UK office does a cursory 5 min glance at lexicanium and runs a quick look at the demographic numbers for the community they cna find on facebbook. HQ disocvers that the community demographics are mostly young males of the sort who would be expected to be triggered by an outsider messing with thier thing.

Thus the troll bait is sent to GW and stuck into every media outlet that still listens to PETA when it doesn't provide pics of hot mostly naked chicks. PETA sits back waiting for the hate, butthurt and trolling to roll in so they can rack up the trending points and point at all the evil online trools attacking them.

Fortunatly in this instance all they acheived was to send 40k to the top of the trending lists and get thoroughly mocked because they failed to relise the nature of the love/hate relationship that exists between GW and its fan communities and the fact that said communities tend to be much more vocal in thier mockery than any real rage.

You do not play Games Workshop games because you are an adoring Games Workshop fanboy/girl. You play Games Workshop games because it is less painful than the withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit.

[Onekawa-Nukanor]

Made up my own Space Marine Chapter and looking for comments and criticism on it. Any and all comments are greatly appreciated! Especially on the lookout for excessive flaws, unbelievablility, excessive Special Snowflake Syndrome etc.

Name: Carnosaur Vindicta
Founding Chapter: Black Templars
Founding: [Likely] 34th Millenium
Chapter Master: Peeti Onkaw
Homeworld: Tumatau
Fortress-Monastery; The Predators Maw
Colours: http://imgur.com/0njl5yT
Speciality: Close Combat
Strength: 1,000~
Battle Cry: "Release the roar brothers!"

History:

The Carrnosaurs Vindicta can trace their heritage to the 34th Milennium, although the specific founding and even the original members of the Chapter are largely unknown to them or the wider Imperium. Why this is the case it largely unknown, although the Chapters Histories do indicate that the earliest known Chapter Master and Apex Chieft Tane Matua was a survivor of a "A heinous battle of unspeakable butchery, slaughter and loss". What is preserved is that whomever these early Carnosaurs were and their leaders, they were descended from the well known Eternal Crusaders, the Black Templars.

Its also be surmised that the current Fortress-Monastery, the Predators Maw, is also not the first of its kind on Tumatau. In its lowest levels there are indicators that there was a former Fortress Monastery that has been built over. Further exploration of these depths is strictly forbidden by every Apex Chief since the earliest days. Why this ban is in place is unknown, but this continued secrecy has attracted t the attentions of institutions such the Inquisition. Every attempted investigation, which have so far been sparse, has resulted in nothing being found.

Despite these shadowy origins and what lies beneath the Predators Maw, the Chapter is generally well regarded by Imperial Organisations in its conduct against the enemies of the Imperium. The Carnosaurs Vindicta have engaged in innumerable campaign against the insidious forces of Chaos and Xenos since its earliest days. They are well known for their willingness to throw themselves into battle time and again. Just like their Primarch Rogal Dorn and his Imperial Fists during the Great Crusade they are willing to whither the tides of the enemies that would result other forces collapsing under the weight, whilst from the Black Templars they have maintained and affinity for combat up close and furious.

Such notable campaigns including defending the Knight World Orlai from the Ork Warboss Ul'gak Bone'Drinka and his titanic WAAAGH! in 752.M37, where the Carnosaurs Vindicta where amongst some of the first offworld responders. The most notable battle was during the siege of the Capital City of Norvai, where the Carnosaurs Vindicta 3rd, 4th and 7th Companies withthe Imperial Knights of House Treval held the city against the teemings hordes of Warboss Ul'gak nearly non-stop for seven weeks until the arrival of the main reinforcement Imperial Navy fleet and the accompanying Astra Militarium and Adeptus Mechanius. By the time of their arrival these three companies had been reduced from practically full strength of 300 to 51. This was referred to as the Weeks of Eternity by the survivors who, having fought for so long and had seen no relief that they had assumed that they would continue to fight for Eternity as the numbers of the Orks WAAAGH! was as limitless as their determination to fight on.

Another and more recent battle was during the Assault on High Rakon in 684.M41. High Rakon was a Hive City on the Hive Planet Yurhok and had collasped into war as the underhive was overtaken by the forces of Chaos, specifically the merciless being known as Khorne. Bathed in the blood of all who opposed to appease the great god of slaughter and butchery the planet itself was ripping itself to pieces as Imperial loyalists were being driven further up and up the great Hive Spires. The source of this corruption, High Rakon, had already opened a portal to the warp and teeming hordes of Khornes daemons were already spreading like a wave of blood across the surface. Originally considered to be lost and in need of Exterminatus, Apex Chieft Peeti Onkaw in one of his first battles as leader of the Carnosaurs Vindicta convinced the Imperial authorities to clear out and destroy the source of the corruption so the planet was not wasted.

With a whole chapter deployment, all 10 companies of the Carnosaur Vindicta with the support of forces from the Sisters of Battle and Militarium Tempestus assailed the Hive City of High Rakon. With a primal and primitive fury did the Carnosaur Vindicta tear through hordes of Daemons, Cultist and even engaged in a battle with the Infamous World Eaters. There the Savage Abandon of Khorne clashed with the Primal Savagery of the Carnosaur. Through a long and bloody campaign, Imperial Forces managed to reach the Portal to the Warp and destroy it, although it resulted in Apex Chieft Peeti Onkaw and his Primeval Guard having to do battle with a Great Bloodthrister Garanox'Arphik. Although Apex Chieft Onkaw slew the foul beast with his blade *The Savage Truth*, it cost him nearly his life, all his Primeval Guard and the death of the Chief Spirit Shaman Hapu.

Organisation, Culture:

Although somewhat following the pattern of the Codex Astartes, the Carnosaurs Vindicta descent from the Black Templars and their on thoughts on its application have resulted in a Chapter who takes several significant steps away from the Codex Astartes.

Too become a Carnosaur is a trial just as difficult and dangerous as any other. Every year from all across Tumatau a signal will call out form the Predators Maw. Sounding like some as a great horn, others as a roar, whilst others hear the great marching of feet this sound is heard by young men all across the planet. Hearing this these people know they are to take the Trial of the Beast, whereas they have to move through the Death Worlds most dangerous forest, known colloquially as the [Bone Forest](http://awsassets.wwfnz.panda.org/img/original/nz_forest_web_58185.jpg) because oif how many have died, even compared to much of a planet’s surface.

These young men must reach the centre of the Bone Wood within a month. To live longer than that is generally considered impossible for a normal human, although if one was to make it out after such a period of time might have the Chapter accept them into their ranks. The Bone Wood is known not its constant chill that slowly breaks a man down as it slowly and insidious reaches a persons bones. This constant chill is met with an environment that easily soaks everything to its core. Of course this ignores the devastating flora and fauna. Great Vines, Man Eating Ferns are common in huge quantities. The predators are around every corner and exceedingly dangerous and come in a huge variety. The most common however are the Scaled Deaths, man-sized bipedal predators that strike hard and fast from any angle, often in large packs. With inhuman strength, speed, senses and reflexes are meeting with a Scaled Death is nearly always lethal for a human even in a 1 on 1.

The Carnorsaurs however are the largest and most dangerous animal in the Bone Wood. Huge size and strength lets it upend who tracts of forest with ease in the chasing of prey, whilst its legs allow it to charge and incredible speed for its size. And a near human intelligence has it planning every hunt and kill. Some carnosaurs are ravening beasts on a near constant rampage, others nearly silent in their hunt, strike from the shadows with unforeseen swiftness. Most are mix between the two. Because of these Carnosaurs these predators are considered the epitome of a great warrior for the imperium.

If they manage to make it through the Bone Wood a brutal training regime begins that culls even more until only the best of the best of the best are left to join the chapter. The last trial is the most notable however. For it, trainess must re-enter the Bone Wood and successfully return to the Predators Maw with an egg or baby Scaled Death. Scaled Death nests are very well hidden and well guarded, so for any normal human this would be a death sentence. For someone to make it this far in the training proves that these individuals are near the peak of what it means to be human. Those who come back are then invested wth the gene speed and continue training. With the addition of the Black Carapace they are welcomed in a great ceremony, where they are assigned their role and company by the Apex Chief himself.

Although there are the requisite 10 companies, how they are organised is significantly different from the Codex. Unlike Codex Chapters, there are no reserve companies as that is generally considered wasteful. Rather each company is composed of six tactical squads, two assault squads, one devastator squad and a scout squad, as well as the Captain (known as War Chiefs) and his personal guard, usually composed of 3-5 long time veterans who are often equipped with artificer or terminator armour. Scouts are organically part of the company rather than separated into their own 10th company.

Another significant departure is how newly minted Carnosaurs are given their roles. Unlike Codex Chapters, Carnosaurs do not go from Scout, Devastator etc. Instead after a brutal training regime Carnosaurs are assigned the role they perform best in. Most find themselves to tacticals, and devastators are generally less common than typical as a result of how the role of a devastator does not mesh well with the typical expectation of a Carnosaur.

One of the most unorthodox members of the Carnosaurs Vindicta are hordes of Scaled Deaths. All Scaled Death eggs that are brought back by the trainee are quickly hatched and become a common sight alongside a Carnosaur. Used in a variety of roles, Scaled Deaths are versatile and dangerous on a battlefield. Whole packs are often employed to rundown hordes of enemies, ripping them apart alongside their handlers. Because of the Scaled Deaths lifespan being comparatively small to an Astartes, it is not uncommon for Astartes of the Carnosaurs to have as many as 6 or 7 at once. These are frequently descended from the originally Scaled Death.
Not just mindless beasts, Scaled Deaths are well loved members of the chapter and the connection between Astartes and Scaled Death are famously close. It is well known that the death of ones Scaled Death, especially there first, can send Astartes into a furious assault as they attempt to enact revenge on their killers and try and recover there bodies. There deaths are marked with nearly as much gravity as the death of a Battle-Brother.

The Predators Maw is the Fortress Monastery and home to the Carnosaurs Vindicta. Filled with not just armouries, training grounds and barracks, it also home to great Scaled Death enclosures. But most notably is the buildings location. Situated in the shattered crater of what was once a mountain, the roughly oval shaped stone ring that remains of the mountains form a great wall as an additional and huge layer of defence, which is riddled with defensive emplacements, traps and all sorts of measures to ensure that it does not fall to enemy assault.

Combat Tactics:

A strong preference for infantry combat, the Carnosaur Vindicta often preferring deploying in Drop Pods and Thunderhawks. Well known for there willingness to engage in assault it is not unknown for tactical carnosaurs to often carry a chainsword or chainaxe alongside their typical loadout.

In battle they wre known for primal savagery that harkens back to the Carnosaur they hold so much veneration and pride in. Hitting like freight trains, they will not abandon an assault until they die, as aspect they picked up from the Dorn lineage. This combination of furious assault and primal determination has been put to good use in numerous campaigns and battles, and shadows a carnosaurs initial assault and then unwillingness to abandon prey to the point of death. However there disdain for vehicles beyond inital insertion frequently leaves them vulnerable to mechanized forces.

Extra:

The highly dangerous wildlife of Tumatau holds a number of uses. Scaled Deaths make excellent animals in battle, but in addition they are given numerous opportunites to collect there teeth, claws and such and make use. As a result it is not unknown for Chainwords of the Carnosaurs Vindicta to have actual teeth on their Chainswords and other such weapons. The most notable and revered weapons of the Chapter however are its great Blades. Formed from the bones of Carnosaurs, these weapons were carved and marred with technology to form their own unqiue power weapons.

The best example of this is *The Savage Truth*, wielded by the Apex Chief Peeti Onkaw Handed down from one Apex Chief to the next since Tane Matua, this is a holy weapon that has slain countless foes. A bone blade with an adamantium edge and power fields, this weapon is the symbol not just of the Apex Chief but the Chapter as a whole. It is not the only example however, and theoretically any member of the Carnosaurs Vindicta could have such a weapon. However it requires the killing of a wild Carnosaur, an incredible feat. Carnosaurs have been known to crack terminator armour with their jaws and throw aside Rhinos and are notorious difficult to find. Then it must be successfully crafted, requiring the attention of only the most skilled of Steel Shamans.

Shamans can be broken down into their respective roles. Bone Shamans are apothecaries, Spirit Shamans are Libararians and Steel Shamans are Techmarines. Bone Shamans have the additional quirk in that they also have to tend and care for the Scaled Deaths in the Chapter and such are well versed in not just Astartes but also xeno-animal biology.

Apex Chiefs are advised and accompanied by his Primeval Guard. Long time veterans they often have seen more battles than most of the War Chiefs, its not unusual for the arrival of a new Apex Chief to see a couple selected to be members of the Primeval Guard. The commander of the Primeval Guard is known as the Primeval Champion and is one of the greatest warriors in the chapter, especially in melee combat. Due to his experience his role is less of a commander and more the right hand man of the Apex Chief, often a man who has grown through the Chapter alongside the Apex Chief.


TL;DR: Astartes who like Dinosaurs

[Maichuko]

Made up my own Space Marine Chapter and looking for comments and criticism on it. Any and all comments are greatly appreciated! Especially on the lookout for excessive flaws, unbelievablility, excessive Special Snowflake Syndrome etc.

Name: Carnosaur Vindicta
Founding Chapter: Black Templars
Founding: [Likely] 34th Millenium
Chapter Master: Peeti Onkaw
Homeworld: Tumatau
Fortress-Monastery; The Predators Maw
Colours: http://imgur.com/0njl5yT
Speciality: Close Combat
Strength: 1,000~
Battle Cry: "Release the roar brothers!"

History:

The Carrnosaurs Vindicta can trace their heritage to the 34th Milennium, although the specific founding and even the original members of the Chapter are largely unknown to them or the wider Imperium. Why this is the case it largely unknown, although the Chapters Histories do indicate that the earliest known Chapter Master and Apex Chieft Tane Matua was a survivor of a "A heinous battle of unspeakable butchery, slaughter and loss". What is preserved is that whomever these early Carnosaurs were and their leaders, they were descended from the well known Eternal Crusaders, the Black Templars.

Its also be surmised that the current Fortress-Monastery, the Predators Maw, is also not the first of its kind on Tumatau. In its lowest levels there are indicators that there was a former Fortress Monastery that has been built over. Further exploration of these depths is strictly forbidden by every Apex Chief since the earliest days. Why this ban is in place is unknown, but this continued secrecy has attracted t the attentions of institutions such the Inquisition. Every attempted investigation, which have so far been sparse, has resulted in nothing being found.

Despite these shadowy origins and what lies beneath the Predators Maw, the Chapter is generally well regarded by Imperial Organisations in its conduct against the enemies of the Imperium. The Carnosaurs Vindicta have engaged in innumerable campaign against the insidious forces of Chaos and Xenos since its earliest days. They are well known for their willingness to throw themselves into battle time and again. Just like their Primarch Rogal Dorn and his Imperial Fists during the Great Crusade they are willing to whither the tides of the enemies that would result other forces collapsing under the weight, whilst from the Black Templars they have maintained and affinity for combat up close and furious.

Such notable campaigns including defending the Knight World Orlai from the Ork Warboss Ul'gak Bone'Drinka and his titanic WAAAGH! in 752.M37, where the Carnosaurs Vindicta where amongst some of the first offworld responders. The most notable battle was during the siege of the Capital City of Norvai, where the Carnosaurs Vindicta 3rd, 4th and 7th Companies withthe Imperial Knights of House Treval held the city against the teemings hordes of Warboss Ul'gak nearly non-stop for seven weeks until the arrival of the main reinforcement Imperial Navy fleet and the accompanying Astra Militarium and Adeptus Mechanius. By the time of their arrival these three companies had been reduced from practically full strength of 300 to 51. This was referred to as the Weeks of Eternity by the survivors who, having fought for so long and had seen no relief that they had assumed that they would continue to fight for Eternity as the numbers of the Orks WAAAGH! was as limitless as their determination to fight on.

Another and more recent battle was during the Assault on High Rakon in 684.M41. High Rakon was a Hive City on the Hive Planet Yurhok and had collasped into war as the underhive was overtaken by the forces of Chaos, specifically the merciless being known as Khorne. Bathed in the blood of all who opposed to appease the great god of slaughter and butchery the planet itself was ripping itself to pieces as Imperial loyalists were being driven further up and up the great Hive Spires. The source of this corruption, High Rakon, had already opened a portal to the warp and teeming hordes of Khornes daemons were already spreading like a wave of blood across the surface. Originally considered to be lost and in need of Exterminatus, Apex Chieft Peeti Onkaw in one of his first battles as leader of the Carnosaurs Vindicta convinced the Imperial authorities to clear out and destroy the source of the corruption so the planet was not wasted.

With a whole chapter deployment, all 10 companies of the Carnosaur Vindicta with the support of forces from the Sisters of Battle and Militarium Tempestus assailed the Hive City of High Rakon. With a primal and primitive fury did the Carnosaur Vindicta tear through hordes of Daemons, Cultist and even engaged in a battle with the Infamous World Eaters. There the Savage Abandon of Khorne clashed with the Primal Savagery of the Carnosaur. Through a long and bloody campaign, Imperial Forces managed to reach the Portal to the Warp and destroy it, although it resulted in Apex Chieft Peeti Onkaw and his Primeval Guard having to do battle with a Great Bloodthrister Garanox'Arphik. Although Apex Chieft Onkaw slew the foul beast with his blade *The Savage Truth*, it cost him nearly his life, all his Primeval Guard and the death of the Chief Spirit Shaman Hapu.

Organisation, Culture:

Although somewhat following the pattern of the Codex Astartes, the Carnosaurs Vindicta descent from the Black Templars and their on thoughts on its application have resulted in a Chapter who takes several significant steps away from the Codex Astartes.

Too become a Carnosaur is a trial just as difficult and dangerous as any other. Every year from all across Tumatau a signal will call out form the Predators Maw. Sounding like some as a great horn, others as a roar, whilst others hear the great marching of feet this sound is heard by young men all across the planet. Hearing this these people know they are to take the Trial of the Beast, whereas they have to move through the Death Worlds most dangerous forest, known colloquially as the [Bone Forest](http://awsassets.wwfnz.panda.org/img/original/nz_forest_web_58185.jpg) because oif how many have died, even compared to much of a planet’s surface.

These young men must reach the centre of the Bone Wood within a month. To live longer than that is generally considered impossible for a normal human, although if one was to make it out after such a period of time might have the Chapter accept them into their ranks. The Bone Wood is known not its constant chill that slowly breaks a man down as it slowly and insidious reaches a persons bones. This constant chill is met with an environment that easily soaks everything to its core. Of course this ignores the devastating flora and fauna. Great Vines, Man Eating Ferns are common in huge quantities. The predators are around every corner and exceedingly dangerous and come in a huge variety. The most common however are the Scaled Deaths, man-sized bipedal predators that strike hard and fast from any angle, often in large packs. With inhuman strength, speed, senses and reflexes are meeting with a Scaled Death is nearly always lethal for a human even in a 1 on 1.

The Carnorsaurs however are the largest and most dangerous animal in the Bone Wood. Huge size and strength lets it upend who tracts of forest with ease in the chasing of prey, whilst its legs allow it to charge and incredible speed for its size. And a near human intelligence has it planning every hunt and kill. Some carnosaurs are ravening beasts on a near constant rampage, others nearly silent in their hunt, strike from the shadows with unforeseen swiftness. Most are mix between the two. Because of these Carnosaurs these predators are considered the epitome of a great warrior for the imperium.

If they manage to make it through the Bone Wood a brutal training regime begins that culls even more until only the best of the best of the best are left to join the chapter. The last trial is the most notable however. For it, trainess must re-enter the Bone Wood and successfully return to the Predators Maw with an egg or baby Scaled Death. Scaled Death nests are very well hidden and well guarded, so for any normal human this would be a death sentence. For someone to make it this far in the training proves that these individuals are near the peak of what it means to be human. Those who come back are then invested wth the gene speed and continue training. With the addition of the Black Carapace they are welcomed in a great ceremony, where they are assigned their role and company by the Apex Chief himself.

Although there are the requisite 10 companies, how they are organised is significantly different from the Codex. Unlike Codex Chapters, there are no reserve companies as that is generally considered wasteful. Rather each company is composed of six tactical squads, two assault squads, one devastator squad and a scout squad, as well as the Captain (known as War Chiefs) and his personal guard, usually composed of 3-5 long time veterans who are often equipped with artificer or terminator armour. Scouts are organically part of the company rather than separated into their own 10th company.

Another significant departure is how newly minted Carnosaurs are given their roles. Unlike Codex Chapters, Carnosaurs do not go from Scout, Devastator etc. Instead after a brutal training regime Carnosaurs are assigned the role they perform best in. Most find themselves to tacticals, and devastators are generally less common than typical as a result of how the role of a devastator does not mesh well with the typical expectation of a Carnosaur.

One of the most unorthodox members of the Carnosaurs Vindicta are hordes of Scaled Deaths. All Scaled Death eggs that are brought back by the trainee are quickly hatched and become a common sight alongside a Carnosaur. Used in a variety of roles, Scaled Deaths are versatile and dangerous on a battlefield. Whole packs are often employed to rundown hordes of enemies, ripping them apart alongside their handlers. Because of the Scaled Deaths lifespan being comparatively small to an Astartes, it is not uncommon for Astartes of the Carnosaurs to have as many as 6 or 7 at once. These are frequently descended from the originally Scaled Death.
Not just mindless beasts, Scaled Deaths are well loved members of the chapter and the connection between Astartes and Scaled Death are famously close. It is well known that the death of ones Scaled Death, especially there first, can send Astartes into a furious assault as they attempt to enact revenge on their killers and try and recover there bodies. There deaths are marked with nearly as much gravity as the death of a Battle-Brother.

The Predators Maw is the Fortress Monastery and home to the Carnosaurs Vindicta. Filled with not just armouries, training grounds and barracks, it also home to great Scaled Death enclosures. But most notably is the buildings location. Situated in the shattered crater of what was once a mountain, the roughly oval shaped stone ring that remains of the mountains form a great wall as an additional and huge layer of defence, which is riddled with defensive emplacements, traps and all sorts of measures to ensure that it does not fall to enemy assault.

Combat Tactics:

A strong preference for infantry combat, the Carnosaur Vindicta often preferring deploying in Drop Pods and Thunderhawks. Well known for there willingness to engage in assault it is not unknown for tactical carnosaurs to often carry a chainsword or chainaxe alongside their typical loadout.

In battle they wre known for primal savagery that harkens back to the Carnosaur they hold so much veneration and pride in. Hitting like freight trains, they will not abandon an assault until they die, as aspect they picked up from the Dorn lineage. This combination of furious assault and primal determination has been put to good use in numerous campaigns and battles, and shadows a carnosaurs initial assault and then unwillingness to abandon prey to the point of death. However there disdain for vehicles beyond inital insertion frequently leaves them vulnerable to mechanized forces.

Extra:

The highly dangerous wildlife of Tumatau holds a number of uses. Scaled Deaths make excellent animals in battle, but in addition they are given numerous opportunites to collect there teeth, claws and such and make use. As a result it is not unknown for Chainwords of the Carnosaurs Vindicta to have actual teeth on their Chainswords and other such weapons. The most notable and revered weapons of the Chapter however are its great Blades. Formed from the bones of Carnosaurs, these weapons were carved and marred with technology to form their own unqiue power weapons.

The best example of this is *The Savage Truth*, wielded by the Apex Chief Peeti Onkaw Handed down from one Apex Chief to the next since Tane Matua, this is a holy weapon that has slain countless foes. A bone blade with an adamantium edge and power fields, this weapon is the symbol not just of the Apex Chief but the Chapter as a whole. It is not the only example however, and theoretically any member of the Carnosaurs Vindicta could have such a weapon. However it requires the killing of a wild Carnosaur, an incredible feat. Carnosaurs have been known to crack terminator armour with their jaws and throw aside Rhinos and are notorious difficult to find. Then it must be successfully crafted, requiring the attention of only the most skilled of Steel Shamans.

Shamans can be broken down into their respective roles. Bone Shamans are apothecaries, Spirit Shamans are Libararians and Steel Shamans are Techmarines. Bone Shamans have the additional quirk in that they also have to tend and care for the Scaled Deaths in the Chapter and such are well versed in not just Astartes but also xeno-animal biology.

Apex Chiefs are advised and accompanied by his Primeval Guard. Long time veterans they often have seen more battles than most of the War Chiefs, its not unusual for the arrival of a new Apex Chief to see a couple selected to be members of the Primeval Guard. The commander of the Primeval Guard is known as the Primeval Champion and is one of the greatest warriors in the chapter, especially in melee combat. Due to his experience his role is less of a commander and more the right hand man of the Apex Chief, often a man who has grown through the Chapter alongside the Apex Chief.


TL;DR: Astartes who like Dinosaurs

Space marines with pet Dinosaur like creatures sounds awesome. I like the background fluff as well.

[Maichuko]

I recently read Shadowsword by Guy Haley. I knew things were gonna get creepy when

The Emperor's Children showed up and the Court fell to Slaanesh

It was pretty good, I'm gonna try to get the 1st novel Baneblade.

[Bhikkustan]

I recently read Shadowsword by Guy Haley. I knew things were gonna get creepy when

The Emperor's Children showed up and the Court fell to Slaanesh

It was pretty good, I'm gonna try to get the 1st novel Baneblade.

Its really good

[Onekawa-Nukanor]

So this is happening: http://m.imgur.com/1NzBtVx?rr