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I'm sitting here wondering if a few of these armies could be justified in any way by the fluff, these include, but are not limited to:

Mercenary Imperial guard.

Loyalist, Emperor-loving Tau.

Space Marines that are not well, SPEESH MAHREENHS

Peaceful, noble orcs.



Just trying to think of some outside-of-the box stuff, and perhaps provoke some interesting discussion.

Here are a few of my thoughts:

"Merc" IG-- As the imperium kinda sucks at doing paperwork in an effective manner, perhaps a regiment in an active warzone would take the initiative to reinforce the local PDFs that could offer the most supplies and men so the regiment could take off and keep on going after the fight. If the regiment is efficient enough at holding the line, a higher-up just may overlook the lucrative behavior in favor of the results that regiment produces.

"Emprah" Tau-- This one is a stretch, but there is hints of mental influence/brainwashing in some tau fluff. Perhaps a minority sect discovered this and discovered the greater good was only the selfish (hehe, very punny) needs of their superiors. Then, they defect and fight for the next best thing, after all, humanity is one of the biggest empires, maybe fighting alongside them would reveal the true "greater good." Eh, I don't think it quite fits, but it's the best I could come up with.

"non-SPEESH" Space Marines-- This one has been parodied in numerous ways, like the reasonable marines or the pretty marines, but I haven't run across any article or theory which attempts to create a reasonable, less-over-the-top chapter seriously. Maybe a chapter which focuses on training teaching planets ways to defend themselves from the horrors of the universe. Or a chapter tasked with the most-sensitive, highest profile diplomatic missions. Not only would they provide well-learned and scholarly negotiators, but would act as a quick-reaction force to any hostilities that may crop up. I dunno, this one is kinda hard. Maybe a more spiritual chapter that focuses primarily on detecting and dealing with warp anomalies before they cause too much harm?

peaceful orks-- Talk about an oxymoron. I was first going to suggest a mutation in the DNA slowly spreading, but then I realized that any orks with the "peaceful" mutation wouldn't survive in ork society. Maybe if the orks believe they're fighting something, or orks more focused on internal violence and warfare (passive-agressive orks, anyone?) then the external. Other than that, I can't really think of anything else that might work.

The first one I could see, it really isn't that far of a stretch.

The next three... well, I think the Knights Inductor off of 1d4chan do that best without going really all that OTT. but, ymmv.

Mercenary IG, that's not terribly out of left field. The galaxy is a big place and it is very easy for that much of an army to essentially fall off of the grid. So I'd be pretty alright with that, fluff wise. It isn't GREAT, but that is mostly because it isn't flushed out, but it's not so bad that I'd dismiss it outright or anything.

The other three on the other hand...I would dismiss outright. Sorry, but each one of them violates real key parts of the 40k story and setting. But I'm not just going to say "fluff sucks", let me explain:

Imperium-loving Tau - Doesn't matter how much the Tau love the Imperium. The Imperium don't love them back. They are Xenos. At the best, they are left alone, at the worst they are shot the hell up. They would never accept a xenos race as an ally or do anything with their side.

Reasonable Marines - The big hole in the idea is that they do not make Space Marines to be teachers and builders. And they certainly are not big on peaceful negotiations. Like at all. And frankly, the Imperium doesn't deal in diplomatic missions. Imperial diplomacy is "do what we want because we happen to have all of these guns pointed at you."

Peaceful Orks - Just...ugh. No. I'm sorry, but there are sometimes just bad ideas. You don't need to throw out any idea that comes to mind.

Merc Guard are more or less featured in the second Word Bearers Novel (Dark Apostle) I think

basically the planet is low on Guard and PDF so the wealthy merchant class hires a company who sells their soldiers services
so first one: Check!

the rest probably not sorry

on a side note if you DO read the Word Bearers omnibus prepare for alot of hissing...ramps hiss, people hiss, weapons hiss, here a hiss there a hiss everywhere a hiss hiss!!
.......it almost drove me mad...

still a good read though

Merc guards - I'd say probably not. Guardsmen are conscripted and belong to the Imperium. They're not going to be given free-reign to fight for the highest bidder. Possibly you could make some fluff about a regiment that served it's time in crusade and has been given the opportunity to colonise the halo worlds.

Imperial Tau - Again, probably not. They're Xenos and it would be heresy to allow them to live.

Non-Astartes Marines - Imperial Stormtroopers or Arbites I'd guess. Tough but not superhuman. Not sure if I get the concept though so I could be way off.

Noble Orks - This one is IMO the most likely of the 4. Could be some tribe that prefers honorable combat over hectic WAAAAAAAGHHHHH combat.

Merc Guard - isn't that basically what rogue traders are? Ok they're given a license from the administratum, but they're independent operations that use whatever resources they can get their hands on.

Reasonable Marines - having recently read Thousand Sons, I believe that's pretty much how they saw themselves before the heresy. They wanted to preserve all of humanities knowledge and use it to elevate the whole imperium.

As for the others, ugh, no...I can't get the image of an Ork in a wooly jumper and slippers reading the paper and tut-tutting about the latest waargh *shudders*

The Word Bearers were less over the top prior to the Heresy.

They took the diplomatic route more than the violence route, and Lorgar is said to have ended rebellions and turned worlds compliant without firing a shot - just his and his Chaplains oratory capability was enough to win a world over to the Imperium. They stayed around on worlds for years after, helping build up the planet in the image of the Emperor.

This didn't end well for them, but the precedent is there.

The Thousand Sons might have liked learning about cultures - but it was done after they brought the pain. They'd bring the sword, and when the opposition was gone, then they'd be reasonable.

Mercenary Imperial guard.

Yes, though they'd either be renegades or just mercenaries who are ex-Guard. The Imperium uses mercs all the time.

Loyalist, Emperor-loving Tau.

It's possible an Ethereal became corrupted and now fanatically worships the Emperor, his own followers succumbing to the same bizarre worship. However the Imperium itself would purge them all the same, even if Ordo Xenos radicals work with them.

Space Marines that are not well, SPEESH MAHREENHS

See any book by Aaron Dembski-Bowden

Peaceful, noble orcs.

Absolutely not

Mercenary IG I could see happen easily if they get cut off from Imperial lines. Some regiments are already hard to control as they are (the Armageddon fluff makes reference to one unit pillaging Imperial settlements in-between fighting the Emperor's enemies), especially when you consider that many are recruited out of hive gangs or feudal warbands. When they can go rogue and join Chaos, they can also go rogue and ... well, fight for anyone that feeds them. Keep in mind that this would require (a) murdering all Commissars within this regiment, as well as likely its Preachers and Officers, and (b) transportation, given that the division between Navy and Guard means they will have no way of actually leaving a planet by themselves. The latter could perhaps be solved by a Rogue Trader.
Other than that, I don't think mercenary regiments are normal. In times of need, militias are simply raised out of the local populace, sometimes by the Munitorum, sometimes by the Ecclesiarchy. There will be smaller merc companies in service to various corporations or noble houses etc, which would simply be conscripted into the normal IG when needed. Of course, they'd cease being mercenaries in this case.

Regarding Space Marines that focus on teaching others how to better defend themselves, I'd suggest taking a look at the Mentor Legion. That's about as far as it goes, though. The Astartes are practically bred to be living weapons, souped-up and indoctrinated shock troops that exist largely to use their high mobility and individual power to help punch a hole into an opponent's defense or defend/destroy a critical objective to assist the Imperial Guard in their campaigns. To make matters "worse", the majority of them recruits new members from feral tribes, preferrably from death worlds, because they make better warriors. I don't think diplomacy is high on their agenda. There are some Chapters whose leaders are renown for their foresight and charisma, but you won't have an entire "UN peacekeeper" army specialising in this.

Emperor-Tau or Peaceful Orks I really don't see happening, though.

None of these are possible.

Any "mercenary" Imperial Guard unit would be hunted down and butchered, same as any traitor Guard regiment.

Why? Because the Imperial Guard are raised to fight for the Emperor, not for their coffers.

1. Its been done. Merc IG are out there.

2.IMperial Tau. Xenos go on the end of your bayonet. not by your side in battle.

3. Non-Astertes "Space Marines": I have my own version of that infact (or at the least im working on it). Mine use power frames or powered suits and are picked from the best of the best but there is no Genetic enhancement (they are still human). its a long story. But i cannot think of any other versions of it. They are simply known as "Section 9"

4. Peaceful Orks...: WHAT!? What Gitz tink we eva gonna sit down and 'ave Tea wit dem hummies!? Ork are made for smashin!

 Engine of War wrote:
1. Its been done. Merc IG are out there.

No, they're not.

There are mercenary companies which recruit mustered out Guardsmen, but that is not "mercenary IG".

Mentor Legion.

"The Mentors have an extraordinary capacity for learning, particularly of military matters. Because of this, the chapter's main pursuit is perfecting the fusion between science, the art of war and military technology. The Mentors do not engage in campaigns or wars as other chapters do, but instead 'loan' squads of Marines to other Imperial military bodies. Squads of Mentors may be found fighting alongside the Imperial Guard or even other chapters throughout the galaxy. "

Engine of War wrote:3. Non-Astertes "Space Marines": I have my own version of that infact (or at the least im working on it). Mine use power frames or powered suits and are picked from the best of the best but there is no Genetic enhancement (they are still human). its a long story. But i cannot think of any other versions of it.

Sisters of Battle...? You may have heard of them.

I think OP was referring to Space Marines with a non-standard personality or focus, though, not actually non-Astartes Space Marines.

 Lynata wrote:

Engine of War wrote:3. Non-Astertes "Space Marines": I have my own version of that infact (or at the least im working on it). Mine use power frames or powered suits and are picked from the best of the best but there is no Genetic enhancement (they are still human). its a long story. But i cannot think of any other versions of it.

Sisters of Battle...? You may have heard of them.

I think OP was referring to Space Marines with a non-standard personality or focus, though, not actually non-Astartes Space Marines.

to be honest I had a brain fart as i wrote it and forgot about the sisters. As for non-killing Space Marines.... I can think of none.

 Engine of War wrote:

 Lynata wrote:

Engine of War wrote:3. Non-Astertes "Space Marines": I have my own version of that infact (or at the least im working on it). Mine use power frames or powered suits and are picked from the best of the best but there is no Genetic enhancement (they are still human). its a long story. But i cannot think of any other versions of it.

Sisters of Battle...? You may have heard of them.

I think OP was referring to Space Marines with a non-standard personality or focus, though, not actually non-Astartes Space Marines.

to be honest I had a brain fart as i wrote it and forgot about the sisters. As for non-killing Space Marines.... I can think of none.

Gasp.

Genetically engineered killing machines engage in killing.

Who knew?

Engine of War wrote:to be honest I had a brain fart as i wrote it and forgot about the sisters.

No worries, even happens to GW writers all the time. *scnr*

There is a company of Merc Guard (a regiment of them) in the Eisenhorn Series (he kills them all by triggering a warp cascade...) So do happen. The rest not so much. Mind you might get ultra-religious Space Marine Chapters who chose to try to convert a world before fighting aka Modern Era Word Bearers.

 kestril wrote:
I'm sitting here wondering if a few of these armies could be justified in any way by the fluff, these include, but are not limited to:


Peaceful, noble orcs.

DIS IS HERESY! WAAAAAGH BRING ME DEM SNIVELING SQUAT LEADER'S HEAD SO ME SQUIG HAS SOMEFING TA CHEW ON!

 alphaomega wrote:
There is a company of Merc Guard (a regiment of them) in the Eisenhorn Series (he kills them all by triggering a warp cascade...) So do happen. The rest not so much. Mind you might get ultra-religious Space Marine Chapters who chose to try to convert a world before fighting aka Modern Era Word Bearers.

They were NOT Guard.

The Vessorine Janissaries were a group of mercenaries, period. They had no ties to the Imperial Guard beyond being a group which was occasionally hired out by the Imperial Guard. Primarily, they provided mercenaries for Rogue Traders and Inquisitors.

IG Mercenaries are reasonable, I'm even sure I've read about Kroot fighting for the Imperium as mercenaries, but I'm sure there are tons of human mercs that would fight for pay

Who in the hell would want peaceful Orkz then they wouldn't be any fun!!

I have a feeling some people are talking past each other, with some referring to "IG Mercenaries" as "mercenaries that work for the Imperial Guard" and others as "mercenaries that once were Imperial Guard", and yet others as "mercenaries that would use IG rules and minis in the game".

 st2me wrote:

Who in the hell would want peaceful Orkz then they wouldn't be any fun!!

You kidding!? It would be hilarious. My favourite idea out of the bunch. By far.

There are multiple reasons and examples of IG mercenaries that fit of all three of Lynata's descriptions.

I could see the Tau option as brainwashed Xenos used as slave labor - kinda like the Jeriko Weaponsmiths. They'd be extremely useful servants doing benign tasks where there are ample military assets to keep them in line- especially on warp bound expeditions of Rogue Traders since they cannot be corrupted by the warp.

Salamanders are probably the least "SPESS MAHRINY" of the space marines.

To my knowledge there is no Thrall of the green Horde, though the idea does tickle interesting ideas of gardening and stability required for an Ork Empire to thrive... and if the rumors of the Orks once having a star spanning Empire and advanced technology at their fingertips is true, then the Orks may have certainly once known peace.

Merc IG are well within the fluff. To my knowledge "Rouge Traders" are cleared by Earth to do whatever the feth so long as they don't go against the Imperium.

Emperor Tau are a bit of a stretch. At best, I can see them acting as a supplementary force to IG or SM when they REALLY need the help. As far as a full on Cadre devoting itself to the Emperor, it would most likely be kept at "arms length" and simply thrown around at suicidal targets until it was destroyed.

Not Speesh Mahreensh are kind of difficult too. By fluff they are intended to be just that (the terribly OP PC in a video game set on very easy). This coupled with them being poster-boys and some variation of them being offered in every start box doesn't help.
(Challenge Accepted) Best I can come up with is a Chapter which has lost all semblance of honor/pride via getting largely destroyed (98.5% losses) by (lets go with Necron to "balance" that damned blood-angle fist-bump). After suffering said defeat, the Chapter was under-manned and the survivors would quickly be absorbed into some random assortment or Smurf Chapters. To avoid such an inglorious defeat, and a chance at regaining pride honor, the last remaining Command Seargent ordered the requirements for becoming an SM to be lessened and recruited a large number or new marines from the local PDF into their ranks (with little or no initiation/hazing) and injected them with the gene seed. This along with altering or omitting various battle-records has allowed them to continue being an independent chapter although with much less "I R 1337"-ness (as such only exists in the upper ranks).

Not-Ork Orkz. Hrm. Yep, kinda burnt out after the not-space-marines space marines. No idea. Someone else can try this challenge.

 kestril wrote:

Space Marines that are not well, SPEESH MAHREENHS

Raptors and some other chapters are fairly pragmatic.

Hanith wrote:
Merc IG are well within the fluff. To my knowledge "Rouge Traders" are cleared by Earth to do whatever the feth so long as they don't go against the Imperium.

Rogue Traders are not mercenary Imperial Guard.

They are merchants, who own their own ships and crews. They do have combat capable forces of their own, with former Guardsmen being within those forces.

"Mercenary IG" do not fit that idea, outside of anything but "Counts As".

 Anfauglir wrote:

 st2me wrote:

Who in the hell would want peaceful Orkz then they wouldn't be any fun!!

You kidding!? It would be hilarious. My favourite idea out of the bunch. By far.

Pride and Prejudice and Orks.

http://1d4chan.org/wiki/Return_of_the_Reasonable_Marines

perhaps the only way there could ever be imperial tau, if you don't mind reading the entire thing (which isn't bad in my opinion).

Pride and Prejudice and Orks.