What stories would you like to see?

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**Shadowclaimer**

I would love a Gue'vessa centered story personally. Humans that join the Tau.

Or a Water Caste grimdark story that shows what goes on behind the scenes to make Tau society tick and the horrible things that must be done to insure loyalty.

**KingDeath**

Wyzilla wrote:
Co'tor Shas wrote:
KingDeath wrote:
Ashiraya wrote:
Co'tor Shas wrote:
Compared to the imperium, it's a great place to live. The tau have this interesting place in 40k. In any other place they would be the bad faction, in 40k they are better than the "main" faction.

That depends very much on your planet. Hive Worlds are actually in minority and most Imperial Worlds (which are in majority) really are not that bad.

Despite their low number they might actualy contain most of mankind's population in 40k. Of course, there are plenty of other worlds where live sucks. Feudal worlds, war worlds, munitorium depots, forgeworlds, the more opressive civilised worlds and quite a few more. Imo the best places in the Imperium are either ruled by Ultramarines or otherwise in the peripherey. The further away from Terra and the imperial seats of power, the better. Of course, peaceful worlds with only a marginal (for 40k) level of supression makes for boring stories.

Hey, pleasure planets are great places to live.

The political climate on the majority of planets in the impirium, is going to be at least as bad as the tau, and less accepting. The whole "bad, but not quite as bad" thing is their shtick. A lot of the good come from increased living conditions. Cleaner air, cleaner water, better food, more efficiency.

Depends if the pleasure planet means "hump day erry'day", or simply where the Imperium expects its servants to look at waterfalls while training before going on another suicide mission.

Hehe, and even the" hump day erry'day" variant might be less pleasing for the poor guys and gals who have the honour of constantly "serving" rich or otherwise important clients.
Although being Bob the radioactive waste disposal guy for the Pleasureworld's revered and ancient plasma reactor might be no less sucky

Imo, best place in the imperium is some emperor forsaken and remote agriworld which is at most visited once in a decade by a titheship and has otherwise little to no contact with the rest of the Imperium.
Of course knowing 40k such worlds seem to attract all kinds of daemon/dark eldar/ork/tyranid and chaos invasions on an almost regular basis. Spaceadolf doesn't want his food-erm, pious worshippers to have good things

**Wyzilla**

KingDeath wrote:
Wyzilla wrote:
Co'tor Shas wrote:
KingDeath wrote:
Ashiraya wrote:
Co'tor Shas wrote:
Compared to the imperium, it's a great place to live. The tau have this interesting place in 40k. In any other place they would be the bad faction, in 40k they are better than the "main" faction.

That depends very much on your planet. Hive Worlds are actually in minority and most Imperial Worlds (which are in majority) really are not that bad.

Despite their low number they might actualy contain most of mankind's population in 40k. Of course, there are plenty of other worlds where live sucks. Feudal worlds, war worlds, munitorium depots, forgeworlds, the more opressive civilised worlds and quite a few more. Imo the best places in the Imperium are either ruled by Ultramarines or otherwise in the peripherey. The further away from Terra and the imperial seats of power, the better. Of course, peaceful worlds with only a marginal (for 40k) level of supression makes for boring stories.

Hey, pleasure planets are great places to live.

The political climate on the majority of planets in the impirium, is going to be at least as bad as the tau, and less accepting. The whole "bad, but not quite as bad" thing is their shtick. A lot of the good come from increased living conditions. Cleaner air, cleaner water, better food, more efficiency.

Depends if the pleasure planet means "hump day erry'day", or simply where the Imperium expects its servants to look at waterfalls while training before going on another suicide mission.

Hehe, and even the" hump day erry'day" variant might be less pleasing for the poor guys and gals who have the honour of constantly "serving" rich or otherwise important clients.
Although being Bob the radioactive waste disposal guy for the Pleasureworld's revered and ancient plasma reactor might be no less sucky
Imo, best place in the imperium is some emperor forsaken and remote agriworld which is at most visited once in a decade by a titheship and has otherwise little to no contact with the rest of the Imperium.
Of course knowing 40k such worlds seem to attract all kinds of daemon/dark eldar/ork/tyranid and chaos invasions on an almost regular basis. Spaceadolf doesn't want his food-erm, pious worshippers to have good things

No, the best place to live would be on an Ultramarine controlled Agri World.

**EmpNortonII**

ZergSmasher wrote:
Veteran Sergeant wrote:

Mr Nobody wrote:
Space Marine creation. The story of a kid's metamorphosis from adolescent to mankind's greatest warrior.
Some have tried to do this well, all have failed.

And ultimately, how interesting of a story would this be, really? The process of building a Space Marine involves taking a young child, breaking down everything that makes him an individual, and turning him into a remorseless, unquestioning killing machine. How much narrative (okay, so how much believable narrative) are you going to get out of recounting endless hours of military drills, psychoindoctrination, mental conditioning and physical fitness?

I can see this being part of a novel, where an adult Space Marine recalls bits and pieces of his training, but again... given how bad some of the failed attempts have been (the Space Wolf series comes to mind), maybe best to just let some things remain somewhat ambiguous.

As far as what I'd like to see would be more novels set at the "ground level" of 40K. Told from the perspective of the faceless cogs. More horror-style stories about random Administratum or Mechanicum scrubs who stumble onto dark secrets or ancient evils. But these aren't always the easiest stories to write, and probably not the most profitable to publish either. I've really started to like some of John French's style, but I wonder if he'll ever be unleashed to write a full novel that isn't about Space Marines (or Chaos Marines). Space Marines make such terrible protagonists and are a waste of his abilities (or at least seem to be).

This story has kind of already been done in another scifi universe. Read Halo: The Fall of Reach. It tells about the Master Chief's recruitment, training, indoctrination, and physical augmentation. I think the same thing would work for a Space Marine.

Personally I would like to see a story about Mankind before the Imperium. Perhaps tell about what happened when they first discovered the Warp, or some stories like the first time they contacted the Eldar or Orks or other xenos.

The first book on Ragnar was exactly this. Started with him on a boat trying to kill another dude when a space ship saved him from death and he became a Marine.

**Taffy17**

Shadowclaimer wrote:
I would love a Gue'vessa centered story personally. Humans that join the Tau.

Or a Water Caste grimdark story that shows what goes on behind the scenes to make Tau society tick and the horrible things that must be done to insure loyalty.

Read Damocles anthology, the second story is basically everything you ask for. Also why does everyone assume the Tau do horrible things to ensure loyalty?

Sanctuary 101 would be cool.

More Tau stuff particularly with Aun'shi would be cool although the short story with him and the Dark Eldar was a bit naf sadly.

Would like to get some stuff about Vargard Obyron, Darkstrider or maybe a Solitaire.

**Soo'Vah'Cha**

Shadowclaimer wrote:
I would love a Gue'vessa centered story personally. Humans that join the Tau.

Or a Water Caste grimdark story that shows what goes on behind the scenes to make Tau society tick and the horrible things that must be done to insure loyalty.

I actually started a short story about humans from a non-imperium planet and their adapting to Tau overtures...here is the link if interested its only a few brief chapters. http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/351631.page

But yeah any Xeno stories would be welcome..I am done with bolter-porn.

**The Imperial Answer**

A story detailing how Grog Irontoof slapped the Tau around like a champ for interfering in his fight with the Kroot would be interesting.

I think he did more damage than the entire Damocles Gulf Crusade.

**Jollydevil**

Sheesh, there sure is alot of Tau bashing going on. Probably cause theyre so easy to bash. But still.

**epronovost**

@Taffy17

The story of Sanctuary 101 has never been really writen, but there is a book about the group of SoB who went to Sanctuary 101 to rebuild it and learn what happen there. It's the book Hammer and Anvil by James Swallow. It's a sequel to its book Faith and Fire and follow the to same main characters. Both books were in my opinion pretty good. Faith and Fire was a little bit superior in my opinion but Hammer and Anvil was still quite good. The characters are nice and well described and represented if a bit stiff and cliché at some point, but not enough to spoil the read. The mass to the dead Sisters of Sanctuary 101 was a very beautifull one very well described by Swallow who in my opinion is excellent at making to things: good vilains and good scenary. The main vilain of the story, whose ironically not a Necron, is a wonderful piece of you know what. Necrons get a nice show at the end of the book, but aren't especially well described (it showcase most of their new toys from their 5th eddition codex that just got out at the time) yet they do fail to summon the dread I would associate with them. It's worth paying 15$ to read it and I would recommand it more than Fall of Damnos (which is still a good book) if you crave some Necron action.

**Taffy17**

Faith and Fire and Hammer and Anvil, I'll keep an eye out for them! thanks.

Just seems pretty cool, the first recorded awakening of the necrons and all the sisters are killed by shadows. Creepy.

**Furyou Miko**

The story of Sanctuary 101 actually appeared in White Dwarf 217. It was a battle report with fluff bits added on though.

**e.earnshaw**

I would personally like to see more good guy chaos like the night lords series, perhaps with iron warriors.

**b1soul**

More Custodes, Sisters of Silence, Assassins, White Scars and Raven Guard

**Mr Morden**

A story with the Sisters of Silence would be great - although I do still have the Black Library Audio play about them

**Animus**

Necron focused stories.
Dynastic power struggles and interaction with alien races.
More fantasy like Chaos stories, more adventures in the depths of the warp and less robbing some imperial world.

**EmpNortonII**

Mr Morden wrote:
A story with the Sisters of Silence would be great - although I do still have the Black Library Audio play about them

... you want a book that's 300 pages of women not talking...?

I bet you're married!

**Mr Morden**

EmpNortonII wrote:
Mr Morden wrote:
A story with the Sisters of Silence would be great - although I do still have the Black Library Audio play about them

... you want a book that's 300 pages of women not talking...?

I bet you're married!

Its like many of the Marine stories I enjoy - you see the story as much through others as the protagonists -

They do talk via sign language IIRC

Plus women don't have to be talking to be interesting

**Beaviz81**

They could write down what they meant as I read somewhere they are really resistant in showing that to outsiders and usually had a sister not yet having taken her vows usually doing the communication with people outside their order.

**Furyou Miko**

Mr Morden wrote:

Plus women don't have to be talking to be interesting

Unlike men, we don't need words to communicate. :p

**Wyzilla**

Furyou Miko wrote:
Mr Morden wrote:

Plus women don't have to be talking to be interesting

Unlike men, we don't need words to communicate. :p

We don't need words either, but we only do that when killing stuff or chasing inflated oval objects.

**BrianDavion**

Jollydevil wrote:
BrianDavion wrote:
EmpNortonII wrote:
dusara217 wrote:
Furyou Miko wrote:
Necrons are all over the entire galaxy and can traverse it very quickly due to Inertialess Drives. In addition, it's actually fairly likely that they started out somewhere near the Tau Empire, since they started on the other side of the galaxy from the Eldar, who started in the 'galactic northwest' (Tau are in the 'galactic southeast').

And the Third Sphere took 'plenty of territory' by Tau standards. They took what, six planets?

I would've thought that it was more like 6 stars than six planets. I mean, that's insignificant even for the Tau. GW needs to at least make the Tau a credible threat to the Imperium of Man if they expect the tau to be, in any way, a faction that makes even a little bit of sense.

By most estimates, the Tau control about 100 systems. 1/4th of those are from the 3rd Sphere, which is still ongoing. Since all of the Space Marines that fell for Shadowsun's diversion at Zeist have been recalled to fight the 13th Black Crusade, it's safe to assume that she could easily take another 25 systems from the Imperium.

The Tau are a credible threat because 1) the Imperium simply cannot muster the forces to deal with the Tau while they fight off Necrons, Tyranids, Orks, and the 13th Black Crusade, 2) the Imperium is willing to call truces with them any time something goes wrong elsewhere, which give the Tau a chance to play America to the IoM's natives, retaking worlds through diplomacy or implied force like they did after the Damocles Crusade, and 3) the Tau are the only faction in 40k that are still developing technologically. In time, they'll be as advanced as the 'Crons in terms of starship tech, with a birth rate (there is a finite number of Necrons and that number is only going to shrink, especially if the Silent King succeeds in convincing his robot brethren to rust themselves dry fighting the 'Nids) and no long-term, organized opposition (as humanity will forever be too busy with Chaos and Orks to launch a large enough counter-offensive to stop them).

It's manifest destiny all over again.

the Tau could have taken more systems.... or it's possiable some minor ork Waagh stopped them cold and reversed some of their gains. the Tau are bit players on the galatic stage. they play on such an absurdly small scale compared to everyone else it's honestly hard for me to really take them seriously as a faction beyond a "representization of the countless alien civilizations that the IoM has delt with over the millineia. every other army in 40k is galactic in scale...... then you have the Tau whom are a regional power. it's like having a board game dealing with world powers, you've got all these nuclear super powers..... and then you have Canada.
Well, if you think about it, alot of the factions in 40K are tiny comparatively. The Eldar own only a host of Craftworlds, which couldnt number more than a hundred and thats a big estimate, the Dark Eldar own one (albeit huge) city, and the Tau have a small empire. So that leaves the Orks (who will never really be a huge threat), the Necrons, Tyranids and Chaos who can do anything to the Imperium.

By small what I mean is the TGau aren;t a galatic scale threat. Eldar (both types) Orks, chaos Necrons etc are all notable in that they're all over the galaxy. you can literally encounter them anywhere in the galaxy. Tau by their nature have a small home range. this honestly is a rather limiting factor when you think of it. this, combined with the small scale IMHO really make the Tau feel like a bit of an odd fit in 40k regarding the feel of it's factions.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Jollydevil wrote:
Sheesh, there sure is alot of Tau bashing going on. Probably cause theyre so easy to bash. But still.

eh in fairness the Tau fans here kinda invite it with some of their commentary and I think they know that

**Paradigm**

Taffy17 wrote:... or maybe a Solitaire.

Funy you should mention it

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/634444.page

My short fiction following a Solitaire. 2 chapters written, 2 to go, you might find it interesting. It was certainly fun to write, because if you can do over-the-top when writing Astartes, imagine how epic it can be writing a guy that can literally catch bullets, kill a dozen men inside a second, and is so terrifying even his own allies are scared gakless of him. And then there's the more personal side which I've had fun looking at; he has nothing, no memory, no name, just an age of endless bloodshed. At the end, his soul is forfiet to Slaneesh, but what if he has no life to really lose? SPOILERS!

**ChazSexington**

I would like some stuff about geno-soldiers during the Unification Wars, the building of the original Legions (pre-Primarch), especially the Ith and XXth, Apothecaries trying to deal with Chaos mutations in their Legion's gene-seed and staving off eventual extinction, and SMs RUNNING from Hrud (And They Shall Know No Fear... But Maybe Some Terror of Dying of Old Age).

I also wish they would hire a genetics and planet consultant to hit them over the head with a blunt object every time they describe DNA as protein supercomplexes, hopefully inflicting some rudimentary understanding of science, and if we're really lucky (but this is potato on a scale from 1-10 on likelihood of happening) some common sense and the ability to write the singular of dice.

I want less Alpha Legion stuff where you know EXACTLY who the Alpha Legionnaires are from the get-go. Sure, the protagonists don't, but the reader does, which makes it pretty boring. I want more Serpeant Beneath, where the plot is clever and surprises you.

Arcsquad12 wrote:
A book about the Iron Warriors as written by ADB. None of this whiny Waah Waah never get any credit stuff from Angel Exterminatus.

I'd like to see the Iron Warriors as bitter but resigned to their fate. Instead of complaining about their role, they bottle it up and do the crappy siege job without question, slowly bottling up all their resentment and bitterness until it finally breaks open. But ironically, their silence on the matter is the reason they kept being taken for Siege duty in the first place, and if they had voiced their discomfort some change might have come.

Not a bad idea. Never liked Angel Exterminatus much. There was so much whining, whinging and crying it was like someone equipped a bunch of emos with power armour.

Co'tor Shas wrote:
I'd also like to see some books not focused on the military or combat. Like a team of Inquisitorial acolytes in their search to discover the mysterious goings-on in a distant system, intrude and mystery. Something original for a change. Maybe a rouge trader, or a band of space pirates would be cool as well.

Damn make-up traders! Stealing our mascara!

PS - Heil spelling!

Wyzilla wrote:
One of the reasons why I love the Legion of the Damned novel was how it went for about three fourths of the book without any conflict and was largely just Space Marines talking, and brooding before the storm.

And boy, did the storm hit. Rob Sanders really know how to write combat, and how to make it brutal.

<3 Rob Sanders. Us Hydra Operatives are blessed!

**Wyzilla**

Yeah, Rob Sanders also has the prestige of writing probably the best Alpha Legion story.

The implosion and harvesting of the Red Consuls was both hilarious and brutal. The Alpha Legion certainly doesn't pull punches in M41.

**ChazSexington**

Wyzilla wrote:
Yeah, Rob Sanders also has the prestige of writing probably the best Alpha Legion story.

The implosion and harvesting of the Red Consuls was both hilarious and brutal. The Alpha Legion certainly doesn't pull punches in M41.

I presume you mean Crimson Consuls (Long Games at Carcharias)? Not read it, but got it next to me right now. Serpent Beneath is also amazing; I feel like I'm harping on about it now. It's one of the few genuinely good wh40k pieces of fiction.

**Co'tor Shas**

ChazSexington wrote:
Co'tor Shas wrote:
I'd also like to see some books not focused on the military or combat. Like a team of Inquisitorial acolytes in their search to discover the mysterious goings-on in a distant system, intrude and mystery. Something original for a change. Maybe a rouge trader, or a band of space pirates would be cool as well.

Damn make-up traders! Stealing our mascara!

PS - Heil spelling!

Dammit, I do that all the time.

**Wyzilla**

ChazSexington wrote:
Wyzilla wrote:
Yeah, Rob Sanders also has the prestige of writing probably the best Alpha Legion story.

The implosion and harvesting of the Red Consuls was both hilarious and brutal. The Alpha Legion certainly doesn't pull punches in M41.

I presume you mean Crimson Consuls (Long Games at Carcharias)? Not read it, but got it next to me right now. Serpent Beneath is also amazing; I feel like I'm harping on about it now. It's one of the few genuinely good wh40k pieces of fiction.

Expect to get whiplash from how hard the Alpha Legion curbstomps the Crimson Consuls with tactical brilliance.

**797th Red Tigers**

Shadowclaimer wrote:
I would love a Gue'vessa centered story personally. Humans that join the Tau.

I was just about to post this. However, I'd like a Gue'Vesa perspective on fighting other humans. I can imagine it becomes a bit of a moral dilemma, as Gue'Vesa Guardsmen/PDF don't seem to be nearly as eager as their Imperial counterparts.

**ChazSexington**

Wyzilla wrote:
ChazSexington wrote:
Wyzilla wrote:
Yeah, Rob Sanders also has the prestige of writing probably the best Alpha Legion story.

The implosion and harvesting of the Red Consuls was both hilarious and brutal. The Alpha Legion certainly doesn't pull punches in M41.

I presume you mean Crimson Consuls (Long Games at Carcharias)? Not read it, but got it next to me right now. Serpent Beneath is also amazing; I feel like I'm harping on about it now. It's one of the few genuinely good wh40k pieces of fiction.

Expect to get whiplash from how hard the Alpha Legion curbstomps the Crimson Consuls with tactical brilliance.

Which begs the question... Why do we have Graham McNeill? Can't we just buy Rob Sanders?

**Wyzilla**

ChazSexington wrote:
Wyzilla wrote:
ChazSexington wrote:
Wyzilla wrote:
Yeah, Rob Sanders also has the prestige of writing probably the best Alpha Legion story.

The implosion and harvesting of the Red Consuls was both hilarious and brutal. The Alpha Legion certainly doesn't pull punches in M41.

I presume you mean Crimson Consuls (Long Games at Carcharias)? Not read it, but got it next to me right now. Serpent Beneath is also amazing; I feel like I'm harping on about it now. It's one of the few genuinely good wh40k pieces of fiction.

Expect to get whiplash from how hard the Alpha Legion curbstomps the Crimson Consuls with tactical brilliance.

Which begs the question... Why do we have Graham McNeill? Can't we just buy Rob Sanders?

McNeil probably has connections. Although really he should just be thrown out and have his material handed over to Sanders, considering Sanders can write a book series without contradicting his OWN written material. Or remember that people lost a hand.