librarians as chapter master

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**Sageheart**

can librarians ever be chapter masters? i know the primachs were psykers but could a newer chapter have a psychic chapter master?

**Captain Idaeus**

I would say it depends on the traditions of the chapter in question, it would probably be more common for a chief librarian to have temporary command of a chapter after the death of ranking officers. though the first chapter master of the blood ravens was also chief librarian. Also if the grey knights have a chapter master he is a psyker, and probably a very powerful one at that.

**Alpharius**

Yes, I'd say it is in fact possible.

In fact, it probably has already 'happened', so to speak!

So, in short, go for it!

**Fiend**

I'd say it could happen, but that it wouldn't ever be common. Most chapters view any kind of psykers, even their own, with suspicion and wouldn't allow them such a high rank. That being said, some chapters take a totally different approach, like the Blood Ravens, and in these sorts of chapters it could very well happen.

As a cautionary tale, look what happened to the Soul Drinkers once one of their Librarians took charge.

Spoiler:

**Sageheart**

yea i was thinking of the soul drinkers in particular, it just doesnt seem to be in much fluff and i would like to include such a being in my army, thou i need pedro ruleswise to make my vets scoring :/

i thought it was an interesting idea to think about. is there any very strong psychic chapters, the blood ravens honor psychers, but any that are like the GK, but arent them.

**Monster Rain**

It could absolutely happen. If the psyker was powerful enough it would be a formidable Chapter indeed.

As was said already, it would depend on The Chapter's traditions regarding psykers.

**Sageheart**

dred chapter masters were also something i was thinking about

**Monster Rain**

Sageheart wrote:dred chapter masters were also something i was thinking about

I think that the long hibernation periods required for Dreadnoughts wouldn't be conducive to running a Chapter. Sure a Master could be placed in a Dreadnought, but he would no longer be a Commander. I'm sure his advice would still be revered.

**Fiend**

I actually do like the idea of a Librarian Chapter Master, and it could happen, but it would likely earn the scorn of other chapters. That's actually a good idea for Sm v SM conflicts.

On the topic of alternate Masters, the chapter master for my homebrew chapter, the Meteorites, is a drop pod.

Ok, I kid. But the I echo what Monster said concerning Dreads. They are generally removed from leadership (even captaincy), as they tend to to spend long periods in isolation and become a bit eccentric. However, they are generally ancient and wise so they are revered in that respect, even to where Masters and Captains would come to them for advice.

**Sageheart**

yea that makes sense, i just feel that a space marine chapter master is such an honorable position it must have other forms than the generic marine, you know?

**Monster Rain**

They're as generic as you make them! Lord Macragge and Pedro Kantor are pretty cool characters, and don't forget that you can use any character you want and just call him a Chapter Master.

Do not underestimate the power of "counts as".

**Melissia**

Indeed. Counts As is an awesome, awesome rule.

**Joetaco**

Sageheart wrote:can librarians ever be chapter masters? i know the primachs were psykers but could a newer chapter have a psychic chapter master?

yeah they can blood ravens have one, Azairah Kyras the chief librarian and chapter master of the blood ravens http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Azariah_Kyras

Sageheart wrote:dred chapter masters were also something i was thinking about

they can too, blood swords have one http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Blood_Swords

**Fuegan**

Bah, I was just about to mention that Blood Raven. Though its in the DoW2:CR game so its debatable how cannon that is.

**Fiend**

Cool. I stand corrected. There is a Dread Master. Now I want to read that book.

**Melissia**

Fuegan wrote:Bah, I was just about to mention that Blood Raven. Though its in the DoW2:CR game so its debatable how cannon that is.

Any material from Relic is canon (one N) for the Blood Ravens. Material from Goto is not.

**Monster Rain**

Melissia wrote:
Fuegan wrote:Bah, I was just about to mention that Blood Raven. Though its in the DoW2:CR game so its debatable how cannon that is.
Any material from Relic is canon (one N) for the Blood Ravens. Material from Goto is not.

Except for the one or two times that he mentions multilasers.

**Melissia**

Lol, so you think the multilasers are canon but the rest of his garbage (like a terminator "forgetting" he had a cyclone missile launcher equipped) isn't? That's very specific memory

**Monster Rain**

Melissia wrote:Lol, so you think the multilasers are canon but the rest of his garbage (like a terminator "forgetting" he had a cyclone missile launcher equipped) isn't? That's very specific memory

When they use their multahlazors to fight the multahlazors of the emprah's multahlazors I think Goto, and 40k fluff canon are at their finest.

**Fuegan**

Cannon was a typo.

Khornate Sorceror, amirite?

**Melissia**

Actually Khornate Sorcerers can exist-- in that they are sorcerers who worship Khorne. They'd probably use their powers to enhance their own battle prowess and wade into combat that way, though, rather than zapping people with lightning bolts.

**Samus_aran115**

Blood ravens and Thousand Sons,iirc.

Actually,wait. Maybe the blood ravens just have high ranking librarians. I forgot. Thousand sons being the most obvious despite him being a primarch.

Automatically Appended Next Post:

Melissia wrote:Actually Khornate Sorcerers can exist-- in that they are sorcerers who worship Khorne. They'd probably use their powers to enhance their own battle prowess and wade into combat that way, though, rather than zapping people with lightning bolts.

WHY DON"T WE HAVE THESE??? I want a spell that gives +1 WS, +1 S and +2 A during an assault phase.

**Melissia**

No, Blood Ravens have their chief librarian also be their chapter master.

Spoiler:

**Samus_aran115**

Melissia wrote:No, Blood Ravens have their chief librarian also be their chapter master.

Spoiler:

Though in current canon, the current chapter master of the Ravens is a Nurglite Sorcerer.

Spoiler:

**JSK-Fox**

I guess a libby chappie master would be fine, I have a MotF as mine.

**DEATH89**

Spoiler:

Ok not sure if the spoiler thing worked, first time I've used it so sorry to anyone who's offended if it didn't work

Woo fixed it

**Lexx**

Possible yes. Common no. Go for it!

**darthmatty**

If it feels right go for it. You can build the fluff around your army. Seems an interesting consept!

**Alpharius**

Wow, that Fluff from the DOW games sounds really, really screwed up...

Sure, Goto is bad, but this...stuff isn't far behind!

**DEATH89**

Alpharius wrote:Wow, that Fluff from the DOW games sounds really, really screwed up...

Sure, Goto is bad, but this...stuff isn't far behind!

Its not that bad [spoiler]Aside from the apothecary devoted to nurgle, and the only non Chaos Honour Guard captain being converted after you attack him and Gabe Angelos declaring that he and you will save the chapter