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I know there is a process to determine if someone can become a space marine, I have a question on the intial condition of the recruit. Could the process be used on individuals who are missing limbs and/or certian organs? Example being a recruit that meets every requirement, except they are missing an arm or a kidney. Could the process still be completed if they had bionic implants before hand?

For my custom fluff I was hoping to have my chapter recruit from mostly mining planets where accidents happen to the workers. Instead of the whole Iron Hands "flesh is weak!" crap, they use bionics as a means-to-an-end. Also I would think other chapters wouldn't even bother to test kids missing limbs, so there could be pool of soldiers that require a little more effort, but still get the job done. Thanks again.

As you say, young kids with missing limbs would be unlikely to be tested, due to not being up to the required fitness standard to survive the process.

While Rogue Trader's rather hasty and hodge-podge fluff had adults becoming Space Marines (IIRC, before the whole Primarch thing was developed, Leman Russ was originally an Imperial Guard officer who became a Marine, hence the name of the tank) , from 2nd edition's nailing down of the Marine background into a cohesive story, the Space Wolves are the only Chapter known to recruit adults. Everyone else takes teens or younger.

Having said that, you could still fit that in to an industrial world where kids are forced to work from an early age. Teenagers who are otherwise fit and strong from having been involved in heavy labour for most of their lives could potentially have wound up with bionics while still being strong enough to withstand the Marine-building process..

Really depends on the Chapter. Most (all?) of the "canon" Chapters already have pretty-well established recruitment processes that preclude this option (also, without kidneys, or a reasonable facsimile, you die, they're a necessary organ for living), but a home-brew Chapter that was heavy on Tech-Marines and bionics could probably get by with it.

Realize, though, that most bionic limbs are pretty crude, able to provide some semblance of functionality, but are usually recycled from previous owners, or even other machines, so can be over-sized, undersized, inhuman in appearance and function, prone to malfunction or whatever, especially if the person getting the replacement is some low-class miner. Such a limb might be a liability in the combat trials that the potential recruits go through before being selected to become Initiates.

 Psienesis wrote:
(also, without kidneys, or a reasonable facsimile, you die, they're a necessary organ for living),

He did say 'a kidney'... You can get by with just the one.

 insaniak wrote:

 Psienesis wrote:
(also, without kidneys, or a reasonable facsimile, you die, they're a necessary organ for living),

He did say 'a kidney'... You can get by with just the one.

True. It's unlikely that a Chapter would bother considering a candidate with a missing or 1 functioning kidney. That said, the Oolotic Kidney implant would likely be enough without any functioning, natural kidneys.

Chapters have been known to have pretty odd recruitment processes so I don't see why a missing limb would be a problem if yours are experts in the field of bionics.

Ofc, I would refine the idea a bit. They're not picking these kids just because they can, they see something in them. Mental fortitude maybe? Losing a limb is pretty nasty after all, so might be psychological tests are used to look for those who just don't give up. And it's not really so different from the Space Wolves in that regard, though they look for a different quality (aggression) in their recruits.

Thanks Spetulhu, I think that is a great idea. My original theory had my chapter looking for the recruits that were skipped over by the rest of society, and the chapter thinks this is extremely wasteful. They can repair/create new limbs/organs but finding a human soldier to fight is too valuable. But the idea of valuing mental fortitude from what I assume would be traumatic to say the least (though honestly I don't know).

Well the Blood Angels (in Index Astartes at least) recruit from mutants and degenerated humans (venerating the change from mutant to superhuman astartes), so there's a similar precedent to what you're suggesting...

 Just Dave wrote:
Well the Blood Angels (in Index Astartes at least) recruit from mutants and degenerated humans (venerating the change from mutant to superhuman astartes), so there's a similar precedent to what you're suggesting...

Umm, I don't think a space marine chapter would even consider a mutant... mostly because said mutant would be killed long before the chapter even thought about recruiting him.

As for degenerated humans. Not even sure what that means. There are many chapters that recruit from the "degenerate" scum of the undercities on hive worlds, but they are normal humans that happen to be ultraviolent gang members or straight up criminals.

It's well known that Blood Angels recruit from Baal and its moons.
The population is widely mutated due to the radiation.

Exactly:

Index Astartes wrote: The atmosphere and climate of Baal's moons are known to have severe and debilitating effects on those who have lived on their unforgiving surfaces. Most of the aspirants bear the physical marks of their old lives; it is all but impossible for an ordinary man to live in such conditions and not feel the terrible kiss of radiation. Despite their youth, they are often bent and stunted, their ropy physiques riddled with lesions and blemishes, their growth stunted by malnutrition and constant hunger. In contrast, the towering physiques of the Space Marines around them are a sculptor's ideal of beauty, with smooth skin, sleek features and fine white teeth

 insaniak wrote:

While Rogue Trader's rather hasty and hodge-podge fluff had adults becoming Space Marines (IIRC, before the whole Primarch thing was developed, Leman Russ was originally an Imperial Guard officer who became a Marine, hence the name of the tank) , from 2nd edition's nailing down of the Marine background into a cohesive story, the Space Wolves are the only Chapter known to recruit adults. Everyone else takes teens or younger.
.

Actually the fluff for marine creation hasn't changed since it was introduced a month or three after RT came out, what changed is that non-marines are no longer a part of the chapter proper (ie: Astropaths are no longer attached to the chapters Librarium).

Pet hate: Leman Russ was never an Imperial Guard Commander. He was a marine chapter master from the outset and as with all RT chapter masters that meant he held the Adeptus Terra (not Army/Guard) rank of Imperial Commander aka Lord.

Thanks Just Dave...that is enough for me to justify the chapters recruitment procedures. A crusading chapter filled with soldiers everyone gave up on. Maybe a little more grimdark tone is necessary so they don't sound like ultimate "good guys." Even a mutation that can come from extended use, high rejection rate, a large scout company? Thanks again for all tips.

There was the case of the protagonist in the Iron Hands novel losing his left hand in the trials, they replaced it with a crude bionic until he ascended to becoming a marine and they replaced it again with a better one.

I'm sure there's a defining line between imperial mutants and unfit or chaos mutants what that is no one's said. The Black Templars for example tend to recruit adults from tribal and medieval worlds who have proven themselves in combat. But like anything else I'm sure there are variations.

Also, it should be noted that on the majority of marine recruitment worlds a young child with a missing limb or other organ would be unlikely to survive. Although missing an organ because of some surgery would also be unlikely as most recruit from feral and feudal worlds, and I doubt many kidney transplants would occur on such a planet. Missing an organ due to a birth defect, well that's basically an automatic disqualification right there.

Marines can afford to be a little picky. You only need to take the best, why would you let even something that is fairly easily corrected through. Save the bionics for a marine that loses an arm in battle.

Grey Templar makes a good point, birth defects and missing organs would not be allowed. But if it isn't that much of a stretch the missing limbs I think is possible. Those that did survive could/would be strong enough to fight. You are right that saving bionics for already matured marines is best, so I will make my chapter have a massive cache to keep up with demand.

I don't think it necessarily has to be a case of 'not allowed', but rather being at a disadvantage for any trials for initiation (e.g. simple gladatorial trials) but that's not to say some wouldn't be able to overcome this disadvantage and become a space marine.

The missing organs is probably more complex, however IMHO, as its more complex than physical capability and more a case of implant compatibility.

if anything, a one armed kid surviving the chapter recruitment would prove how much of a bad ass he is.

^ my point exactly. What about a mental dis-advantage? I watched the newest Bourne movie last night it talked about increasing IQ with a retro-virus, and wondered if something similar could be done with a recruit? All space marines probably have their intelligence increased during the process, but lets say a recruit is perfect except his IQ is 10 points below the required limit. Should/would/could that be possible or just too much effort?

Ironically, it may well be that it would be worse if the IQ exceeds a certain threshold rather than being below, if it makes the recruit unresponsive to hypno-indoctrination. One of the reasons for why the Space Marines recruit predominantly from Feral worlds.

Have you consulted the Index Astartes article on the creation of Space Marines? Given how the franchise doesn't care much for consistency, its contents should of course not be regarded as binding - but personally, I thought it is a very well written piece of background coming directly from GW themselves, and it could provide you with much inspiration on the subject, given that it talks extensively what exactly is required for a potential Marine recruit, and how various effects may influence the development of the aspirant.

The article was printed in WD #247, but an online backup is available here.

Thanks for the link Lynata, I have the 5th edition codex for Space Marines but this gave some info I hadn't read before. Here is a question I got while reading the article that really isn't important but why do test slave have to be conscience during the geneseed harvesting process? Could they be in a coma, or at least not conscience? If that is possible maybe there would be mutation as a result.

Another interesting section talked about what would happen if an implant didn't develop properly. If the chapter cannot afford to euthanize the soldier, they will put then in there own special suicide units, specifically assualt squads. Does that mean mot assualt marines are in affect failed neophytes? Haha, thanks again for the article great read.

I think the test-slave bit was added chiefly to make it appear more grimdark. Imagine: you are artificially kept in a semi-comatic state and completely unable to move, but you still register everything going on around as well as in you. And as if that wasn't enough, people are constantly practicing surgery on you (very likely without anaesthetics), implanting and harvesting various genetically engineered organs, essentially using you as a humanoid farm. Decade after decade.

*shivers*

As to an in-universe explanation for this, I suppose we can only come up with our own ideas/theories, as I don't think it is explained anywhere. Someone with more experience in the medical field might probably be able to add something half-sensible here. Maybe the conscience is required to keep the circulatory system up to speed, somehow promoting better geneseed growth?

Yes, the definition of grimdark I guess. That does sound like something out of American Horror Story. Well then I wonder if I could alter my own fluff to have our slaves being unconscience. That could affect the gene-seed rate of growth, slowing it done so that it takes another decade to harvest matured gene-seed.

In the article, it does sound as if the test-slaves are only used for the creation of a new Chapter and conducted by the Biologis division of the Adeptus Mechanicus. As soon as the Chapter actually exists, they've got to keep themselves running by harvesting their glands from amongst their own brothers.

However, perhaps something went wrong on the side of the AdMech and in spite of the stringent safety measures and check-ups the error was not discovered until it was too late (or it may have even been intentional sabotage). The so-called Cursed Founding is an obvious precedent that could provide inspiration.

"Today I received word from the Apothecaries of the Black Dragons of some irregularities in the zygote development of their first born members. It appears that as their Ossmodula has matured more fully, it has caused the growth of bony protuberances and 'crests' from the forearms and heads of the Space Marines. This is an unexpected side effect and is possibly ........................... hormonally stimulated growth. Purity procedures will be reviewed and any deficient zygotes destroyed."
- Incunabla Base Commander's log entry #41, recovered by Explorator Magos Marco Pteronus in 998.M41 ("The Cursed Founding", White Dwarf #260)

"During this morning's unarmed combat training, two of my test subjects ...... berserk ...... killed thirty of the others ......... collapsing in a pile of mad, thrashing limbs as their bodies went ........................ uncontrolled mutation. The things that were left on the floor had only the last vestiges of humanity to their form and the thought of whole Chapters of Space Marines with such defective gene-seed in their bodies fills me with horror and shame. Crescere had the bodies incinerated before we could perform an examination of the corpses and informed me that he was relieving me as head of this facility. Emperor have mercy on my soul. .................. created monsters here!"
- Incunabla Base Commander's log entry #47, recovered by Explorator Magos Marco Pteronus in 998.M41 ("The Cursed Founding", White Dwarf #260)

Alternatively, also note the role that radiation plays upon the development of the geneseed (not everyone gets to be as lucky as the Blood Angels), and how it may - over time - lead to unforeseen mutation, so you may also consider environmental conditions from the homeworld, either natural or perhaps as the result of some artificial, perhaps even Chaos-triggered catastrophe. How about a Chapter that originally settled on an industrialised world, but now merely commands over the endless snowy ranges of an irradiated wasteland held prisoner by nuclear winter, its population living in giant underground vaults built beneath the ruins of once-great cities? Might make for some cool background, even aside from the malfunctions.

I like the nuclear winter idea. If a chapter was to recruit some asartes from a world with mutation(like Baal) and other worlds with less mutated subjects, would this affect the gene-seed? Do most crusading chapters recruit only the same, or do they recruit on what they can find on a world they conquer?

I would like my chapter to get "what is left" by other chapters, and get recruits with the ultimate chips on their shoulders. Basically written off as not useful enough to serve the Imperium, thus a greater desire to prove others wrong.

I am also slightly inspired by the new Metal Gear Solid: Phatom Pain. Perhaps the chapter can go mad after long years of service with the Phatom Pain, and all of my chapters officers and dreadnoughts are truly mentally superior to others in the chapter.