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I have a question about a hypothetical situation involving the Deathwatch.

What happens if, while a marine who is seconded to the Deathwatch, his entire chapter is wiped out to the last man? He is now the sole surviving member of his chapter. Does he stay with the Deathwatch forever? Does he get purged by the Inquisition? Does he go become a drunk down in Harry's Bar on Cyrus Vulpa?

I haven't read enough to know if there is a fluff answer to this, what are your opinions Dakka Dakka?

he would valiantly (yet vainly) attempt to reform his chapter, and unless he is CM material, will fail. and even if he is Calger/Dante material, still probably fail. that or just stay with the deathwatch. (but usually their is more than just ONE marine from a chapter isn't there? or is my head making things up again?)

He would remain with the Deathwatch. Secondment to the Deathwatch is for an indefinite amount of time anyways, so the Deathwatch would just retain his services until his death.

If he stays with the Deathwatch, over time does he move up the ranks? Could he become a leader of the Deathwatch or would he simply stay a brother marine until he dies?

It's entirely possible to move up the ranks, regardless of chapter affiliation. If anything, having no remaining loyalites would make this hypothetical battle brother ideal for a leadership position in the Death Watch.

Depending on the marine though, he may just go kamikaze on his next mission, "blaze of glory" and all that.

 Orblivion wrote:
He would remain with the Deathwatch. Secondment to the Deathwatch is for an indefinite amount of time anyways, so the Deathwatch would just retain his services until his death.

That would be a cool story/cool character background.

I belive that the Deathwatch RPG has a few examples of NPCs who are in just this situation

Wouldn't the marine in question become a black shield?

http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Chyron

Eternal service to Deathwatch it looks like

 Zuul wrote:
Wouldn't the marine in question become a black shield?

I believe this part would be entirely up to the marine himself. Most likely he would retain his chapters symbols and just server his life out as a Daethwatch member, Bringing honor to his chapter. Maybe one day even being a Deathwatch Commander. He shall serve the emperor to his last.

This has already happened. Look up Chyron.

 Grimaldus99 wrote:
http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Chyron

Eternal service to Deathwatch it looks like

Eternal service with threats to vent him out the cargo hold if he doesn't behave.

But does he behave?!?!?!

Not really. He goes REALLY bonkerville when he sees any sort of 'Nid within a 1 mile radius, too.

Lucarikx

They;d continue to serve, some may retain their old colors, some may blame themselves for not being there with their brothers, and take the black shield
Maybe over time they grow into Deathwatch command material