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Aloha.

I'm starting up a fluffy Raven Guard force and I'm at the point now where I need to decide what company I'd like to play. I'd like to use Shrike some of the time (which, logically, means painting them up like 3rd company), but I don't think I want to use him every time I want to run a list with a captain in it (which, logically, means that I shouldn't run 3rd company). So what does "Shadow Captain" mean? Is he the 3rd company captain with a special title, or is he an unofficial captain, or what?

I tried Google and Urbandictionary and didn't find anything helpful...

I think thats just how the raven guard name their captains, just like how sw name their devestators Long Fangs,Black templar call their tacs Initiates and so on...

I agree with Munchx2 here. At first, Shadow Captain sounds like he's second-in-command of the 3rd Company, that wouldnt justify his armanents, his fluff and everything else. So, given Raven Guard's preference for stealth and guerilla warfare, I think the 'Shadow Cpt.' rank is just Raven Guard's fancy way of saying Captain.

Ok. Thanks. I figured as much, but I just wanted to make sure. When I first heard "Shadow Captain," my first thought was 'unofficial commander,' but upon thinking about it I wasn't so sure so I figured I'd ask here.

So my current plan is to run either 2nd or 4th company and sometimes include Shrike with a "retinue" of sorts of Vanguard vets (sort of like a guest appearance) when it feels appropriate.

Thanks a lot.

I'd think that the "Shadow Captain" title implies that the holder of the title has completed some specific espionage/sabotage related task. The Raven Guard Captain in Cadian Blood was just called "Captain".

Man, you guys over think. It's just a nick name he's still a captain.

Except we don't know that it's "just a nickname" It could be an honorific attached to the title, or a specific subrank of Captain.

just my own opinion here having not read any raven guard fluff but a shadow captain sounds like some one who would run the company in the absence of the commander!!! the title could mean that he stays in the shadows until a time when he is needed!!!!!! just my thoughts!

MMM...love your avatar Contact wait-out.

HMMMM checking the ole memory banks ............. I think Shrike got the honorific title due to an incident where he and his company got stranded on an ork planet for several years, they perfected the hit and run guerilla tactics and became utterly feared. Shrike attacked from 'the shadows' using the dark as his ally ....blah blah.
If you want I'll look out the exact info for you, just let me know.

Ditto on the opinion that "Shadow Captain" is an honorific given to Raven Guard Captains that are good are guerilla warfare and terrorism.

Nurglitch wrote:Ditto on the opinion that "Shadow Captain" is an honorific given to Raven Guard Captains that are good are guerilla warfare and terrorism.

I agree as Shrike is known for his exploits and guerilla warfare against the orks.

Yeah.

Thanks for the answers and offers to help. I'm now fairly certain that he is just a regular captain with a special title. I'm thinking that I'll paint my guys as 2nd or 4th company, which kinda just sidesteps the problem entirely. Does anyone know of any sources other than the old Index Astartes that has good Raven Guard fluff? Apparently they're going to be featured in IA8, but are there any novels or anything?

They appear in Cadian Blood but theres not alot on them...... I think there is a new one coming out called Ravensflight about the Isstvaan massacre and how the Ravens got their
Primarch off the planet. Other than that they dont have alot on them at the moment.

Paladin Blake wrote:Yeah.

Thanks for the answers and offers to help. I'm now fairly certain that he is just a regular captain with a special title. I'm thinking that I'll paint my guys as 2nd or 4th company, which kinda just sidesteps the problem entirely. Does anyone know of any sources other than the old Index Astartes that has good Raven Guard fluff? Apparently they're going to be featured in IA8, but are there any novels or anything?

A link to a RG specific site: http://sonsofcorax.freeforums.org/index.php
Could provide you with some examples of painted armies there.

I think GW ( impersonated in BL ) will also re-use the RG+WS story from codex SM in an audio-book?

In the British Parliament the "Shadow Cabinet" is the group of leaders of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition, who are ready to step into the boots of the outgoing ministers after a general election. They get briefed on the same core info as the actual Cabinet so they are ready to take over.

At Westminster School, a "shadow" is a new boy who is paired with a "substance" (an older boy) for his first few weeks to help him learn the ropes.

In Doctor Who the "Shadow Proclamation" is a kind of ultimate Interpol for the Galaxy.