Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

I am wondering of anyone in the wide world of dakka knows any fluffy bits about the salamanders you find on the internet.

I am starting an army of them and wanted to know all i can about them, there chapter, there primarch Vulkan and there history.

Also any traits they may have (aside from obvious, jet black skin)

Thanks

http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Salamanders#.UPqkHx38LlM
http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Vulkan#.UPqkLR38LlM
http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Nocturne#.UPqkOB38LlM
http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Prometheus#.UPqkSx38LlM

There ya go.

If you can get read the Salamnders novels by Nick Kyme - I and our resident Salamanders player at our club found them very inspirational.

Lots of good stuff about:

The Planet and its history.
the vared tribes and Sanctuary cities
the Fireborn - the Chapters 1st Company
how the Aspirants are chosen and much more:

Salamanders “Into the fires of battle, unto the anvil of war!”

Like the Raven Guard, the Salamanders suffered griev¬ously on Isstvan V and have never reached the num¬bers of the other Great Chapters. They remain solid and steadfast, “refusing to admit defeat even against the greatest odds.” Recruiting mainly from the high grav¬ity death world of Nocturne, they are perhaps the most inte¬grated into Imperial Society, with much of the Chapter living and working alongside the population. This re¬lationship gives a Salamander a unique (for a Marine) insight into the life of humans and helps foster their resolute defense of the people of the Imperium, even against the actions of their peers. In this regard they are most akin to the Ultramarines. The disdain that many Space Marines hold for mere humans is less likely to be manifest in a Salamander, and even if it should be so is likely to be punished by his brethren or superiors.
The Salamanders burn intricate designs onto their bodies to celebrate and commemorate important events in their lives. They are assisted by devotees of the Promethium cult – the Brander Priests.

The Salamanders Fortress Monastery and space dock is located on the moon Prometheus but they interact to a large extent with the population on Nocturne. Only the First Company veterans – the Firedrakes remain fully apart, but all are ever mindful of their duty to protect humanity both as a race and individuals. Classified as a Death World, the hardy and primarily nomadic natives can be found across the planet, with the only permanent dwellings being the sanctuary cities, built upon rock that is not subject to seismic activity.
+1 to Constitution, Ancient Enemies: Hatred (Dark Eldar – known to the inhabitants as Dusk Wraiths), Born under inspired and effective rulers: Choose One: Air of Authority or Good Luck, +1 to any two Skills, +3 bonus to any Knowledge tests regarding the Salamanders, their history or deeds. Rugged: 1 level of Hard-to Kill,

“….The mountains are bleak, craggy places, their summits wreathed with poisonous fumes. The deserts are many, and they are desolate, unforgiving plains of ash. Our few rivers are veins of acid and alkali, tainted by the sulphurous earth. We have no forests, save for the petrified groves that lurk in the hot shadows of our tallest peaks. Our fauna takes to the air on leathern wing or hunts the dune with tusk and claw. It is serpentine and reptilian; chitinous and saurian. But it is home, this broken land, and we defend it with our blood and breath. Woe betide any who come here seeking to put it asunder. They will find it a terrible place, a very terrible place.”

 Mr Morden wrote:
If you can get read the Salamnders novels by Nick Kyme - I and our resident Salamanders player at our club found them very inspirational.

Agreed that the Salamanders novels are a good place to find out about them. Of course, I wasn't impressed with:

The best part about Salamanders (fluffwise):

They are one of the original Legions, which means they have a history stretching back to the formation of the Imperium.

Like the Space Wolves, they live on a Death World which shows that they are some tough SoBs, who willingly choose to live on a hellhole like Nocturne.

They are very committed to history: the wandering Chapter hero who takes on Vulkan's name is seeking to discover the greatest of their progenitor's creations, but aside from that they have a wealth of ancient equipment. They are known to have the oldest Rhino in the Imperium, for example. They also keep their equipment in good condition. I like to reflect this in my Salamanders by modeling them with much older pieces of equipment, mostly older Marks of armor, but with older bolters or melee weapons when I can find them.

They espouse a doctrine of protection of the weak. It is not enough for them to merely fight for the glory of the Emperor, they seek to shield citizens of the Imperium from the dangers of the galaxy. Unlike many Space Marine Chapters, they often live within the society of Nocturne. For some of them, that leads to some internal conflict, due to living among and protecting a population that they can never truly be a part of.

Thematically, the Salamanders frequently see themes of volcanoes, the forge, and fire. Their primarch, Vulkan, shares his name with the Roman version of Hephaestus, the Greek god of fires, the forge, and volcanoes. (Coincidentally... ) Utilizing that in your modeling can give you a greater feeling of depth and meaning for your army. (It certainly does for me.)

The big event of the 40k backstory, the Horus Heresy, unfortunately doesn't see a lot of involvement from the XVIII Legion. The Salamanders were dealt a crippling blow, losing the majority of their Legion at Isstvan V, after which they spent the majority of the Heresy recovering. As a side note, the popular story is that Vulkan died in the infamous Dropsite Massacre, but no body was ever recovered, and at least one older source refers to Vulkan arguing strenuously against the implementation of the Codex, which occurred long after the battle he is supposed to have died in. This is another one of those situations in 40k where you will find multiple different accounts of the same event.

In any case, I hope that helps, good luck starting your own Salamanders army!