hey it has been a while since I've posted. I will post new photos of what I've been working on. With the release of new Primaris marines, I've decided to also add an element of them into my 5th company of the my own homebrew chapter. Also since I've started this blog, I've also rewritten the fluff and started it from scratch. I had a lot of input from my brother from Bolterandchainsword.com , so hopefully it's alright to read. I'll add the fluff now and I will also post what my plans for the army are also. I've also realized that I need to add fluff to the chapter that supports what has happened recently with the Fall of Cadia and Primaris marines being inducted into the Chapter's ranks.
CHAPTER NAME: ………………………………. THE ELYSIAN PHOENIXES
FOUNDING: ………………………………………. #3RD (M.32)
CHAPTER WORLD: ………………………….... ELYSIA PRIME – SHANG
GUO
FORTRESS MONASTERY: …………………… HEAVENLY PIERCER
GENE-SEED (PREDECESSOR): …………….. RAVEN GUARD
KNOWN DESCENDANTS: …………………… NONE
The Elysian Phoenixes are a Loyalist Third Founding Space Marines Chapter derived from the Raven Guards' gene-seed and their Primarch, Corvus Corax. They are a Codex Astartes-compliant Chapter and maintain strict structure and Chapter culture as prescribed in the sacred tome. Following the later reorganization of the Space Marine Legions into the Third Founding Chapters after the end of the Horus Heresy, the Raven Guard Legion split into several chapters, The Elysian Phoenixes were one those newly created Chapters. Due to the low numbers of the Raven Guard Legion, the newly created chapter were few in number, only around 200 Astartes' ; also known as the 101st company of the former Raven Guard Legion, were assigned to this chapter and responsible to replenish their numbers. This company went on to serve with distinction against the remnants of the Forces of Chaos and was later granted the honour of full Chapter status after Roboute Guilliman's reforms of the Space Marine Legions.
ORIGINS
During the Great Crusade the 101st company of the Raven Guard Legion brought Elysia Prime, found in the Segmentum Tempestus, into compliance under the rule of the Imperium. When the 101st company of the Raven Guard legion landed on Elysia Prime for the first time, they were warmly welcomed by a small party of consulates. The consulates escorted them to meet the government. Most of the officials sung praises when these Astartes arrived. For the people of Elysia Prime they were the beacon of light they needed to face against the many threats that endangered them. The inhabitants saw this arrival an answer to their prayers. However, the Astartes would soon learn that their arrival did meet with resistance. There were few splintered ethnic groups who saw these soldiers as nothing more than threats to their own existence and took into their hearts to resist against their rule.
The majority of the population was known as the Hanite’s, they had a prophecy concerning the arrival of warriors coming from a distant galaxy to come claim them back to humanity. They thought that these warriors were sent of god to protect them and bring them to the true knowledge of their origins. However many ethnic minorities ignored this preposterous prophecy disregarding it as a fairy tale. Tentions between the Hanite’s and the ethnic minorities grew more intense when the Hanite’s were able to claim control over the planet.
The ethnic minorities did not agree with the Hanite’s decision to hand control over of their home to these distant aliens. Soon rebellions started to arise in small pockets of the populace. This led to the outbreak of the insurrection. Many innocent civilians were harmed by these radical terror groups. The government of Elysia Prime pleaded for help from the Astartes. The 101st company under the command of Praetor Titus Eracio swiftly ended the insurrection in a matter of days. His tactical prowess of using Jump pack assaults gave him the advantage in the war. Soon after, all rebels were put to death and all those that were sympathetic to their cause. Peace was now all over the land once again. The swift victory of the Praetor gained the respect of all the inhabitants of the planet.
When the third founding had occurred, the 101st company was given Elysia Prime as their homeworld. They adopted the name and are now known as The Elysian Phoenixes. Due to the respect won by the earlier victory in the insurrection, many families sought honour in having their sons inducted into the ranks of the Astartes. Though the newly founded chapter struggled to increase their ranks, it was now easier as the people were willing to offer their sons for recruitment. It is only now in recent history, the Elysian Phoenixes have been able to be at full strength. In recent times the Elysian Phoenixes have been involved in various campaigns against the threats that beset the Imperium on all sides.
HOME WORLD
During the Great Crusade the 101st company of the Raven Guard brought Elysia Prime, found in the Segmentum Tempestus, into compliance under the rule of the Imperium. When the 101st company of the Raven Guard legion landed on Elysia Prime for the first time, they were warmly welcomed by a small party of consulates. The consulates escorted them to meet the government. Most of the officials sung praises when these Astartes arrived. For the people of Elysia Prime they were the beacon of light they needed to face against the many threats that endangered them.
It was Titus Eracio the Praetor of the 101st company of the Raven Guard that led the campaign to bring Elysia Prime to compliance. After the Horus Heresy, the Raven Guard splintered off into smaller chapters’ as demanded by the dictates of the Index Astartes. One of the Chapters formed was the Elysian Phoenixes. The 101st company was given the honour to be the training cadre to raise the newly formed Chapter. Titus Eracio chose the iconography, colours and the name which their chapter would adopt. When examined closely it can even be seen that the culture are heavy influences over the Chapter.
When the planet was discovered the Imperium named the planet Elysia Prime. Eracio out of respect renamed the planet Elysia Prime Shang-
Guo, loosely translated as the Celestial World of Elysia Prime in the tongue of the natives. It is written in the records of Elysia Prime that the first people to migrate to this new planet were from the planet Terra during The Stellar Exodus (M.3). With them they brought over their customs and language. Although their customs and traditions have been kept mostly intact, their language has differed slightly from the original language. An example of a steady tradition that has remained intact is the way that males style their hair. Males on this world have the front half of their head shaven while the back is gown long and tied into a pony-tail. Since these people have settled on this planet, they have flourished and established civilised societies. When brought into compliance the world Elysia Prime was classified as a civilised world.
Elysia Primea has a high proportion of psychically gifted people. It is not known what conditions cultivate the growth of Psykers on this planet.
Elysia Prime Shang-
Guo is a planet roughly the same size as Terra, however all the land mass is gathered in one central location. This makes it easier for the different ethnic groups to maintain diplomatic relations. Elysia Prime's natural environment is much like Terra's was millennia ago, with a large ocean covering 70 percent of the planet's surface. The land mass that does exist is divided between incredibly thick pine forests and Rocky Mountains. The planet is slightly warmer than most human-settled worlds but not to the point that it adversely affects growing conditions.
COMBAT DOCTRINE
The Elysian Phoenixes generally follow the dictates of the Codex Astartes, though they do not view it as a sacred tomb like other chapters do, but view it as a well-rounded guide to the art of warfare. Similar to their predecessors, the Phoenixes specializes in guerrilla tactics behind enemy lines using precisely coordinated attacks. However unlike their parents, they have adopted a front-line battle siege tactic also. This tactic was utilized during the early days of The Scouring, they would board onto the heretic legions ships and performed brutal assaults. The Elyisan Phoenixes have mastered the art of siege warfare and prefer to use a frontal attack to distract their enemies’ main forces, which allows their jump packs to assault behind the enemies’ defenses. The Chapter also has most of its tactical squads equipped with boarding shields which can create a devastating frontal attack.
Although the Chapter relies heavily on their tactical squads siege assault, they rely just as heavily as they do on the rapid manoeuvre engagements of their assault squads. They are keys to the Chapters tactic and success on the battlefield. Most of the Elysian Phoenixes strike forces are seen to have large amounts of assault marine squads supported by air support. They main few and field even fewer armored fire support vehicles such as Predators and Land Raiders, preferring like to make use of an infantry heavy force. The Elyisan Phoenixes force commanders and even veteran units are usually seen wielding different variety of close combat weapons. They believe that mastering all kinds of close combat weaponry will benefit them more on the battlefield dependent of their enemy.
Another strategy that distinguishes this Chapter From their parent and even other Chapters is their large amount of Librarians they maintain. Due to the cultural environment which praises Psykers, they have adopted to use large quantities of Librarians in the Chapter. The Elyisan Phoenixes value their Librarians and believe they are vital in strategically planning. They are seen as a symbol of intelligence which is an important virtue of the Chapter. Although there is a high proportion of Psykers on the planet, not all adhere to the standards which are put into place to safeguard against the temptations of Chaos. One of the main focuses of the Chapters’ Librarium is hunt down these rogue Psykers and to put them to death without question.
BELIEFS
Like many other Chapters, the venerable Elysian Phoenixes maintain long-standing rituals and beliefs assimilated by the cultural beliefs of their home world. A tradition which the Chapter has adopted is taking upon them an Elysian Prime name. When a recruit is selected promoted to the rank of Astartes, he is given time to adopt an Elysian Prime name. He is also to tie his hair in a queue-like braid. This reflects the submission to the service of the Emperor and to the Imperium.
The Elysian Phoenixes do not venerate the Emperor with the fervour or zeal of many other Astartes Chapters, although they do view the Emperor as the master of humanity. They see it a pleasure to serve him and to fulfil his crusades across the galaxy. Their Primarach Corax is viewed as a mighty leader capable of making tough decisions when the need was great. The Elysian Phoenixes still follow the path that Corax set for them, reviewing the data collected from each battle to learn its lessons and a great deal of the tactical doctrines of the Elysian Phoenixes were learned and laid out from such examinations.
One belief that sets the Elysian Phoenixes apart from the other successors of the Raven Guard is that they believe they must prove themselves worthy to see the return of their Primarch. This Chapter has fought zealously across the stars of the universe in the hopes of finding their lost Primarch. It may be strange to some, but the Elysian Phoenixes have faith that the Primarch is still alive fighting against the forces of Chaos to keep humanity safe from its clutches. This belief has led the Elysian Phoenixes to crusade aggressively against the forces of Chaos.
Another belief which The Elysian Phoenixes adhere to strictly is protecting of all human life. They believe that life itself is sacred and they must do what they can to ensure that all human life is defended and protected.
ORGANISATION/ORGANIZATION
The Elysian Phoenixes conform to both the structural and squad-level pattern of the Codex Astartes in terms of broad organisation. But at a tactical level this Chapter differs significantly in its general approach to warfare. The Elysian Phoenixes prefer to operate as a whole, or at least in as few divisions of its forces as possible in any given theater of war, concentrating and thereby maximizing its destructive power. This strategy has allowed the Chapter to excel at siege craft and in combat against monstrous opponents, which they can overwhelm by sheer weight of numbers if need be.
Like all Codex Astartes-compliant Space Marine Chapters, the Elysian Phoenixes are divided into ten companies of 100 Space Marines each when at full strength. A tradition which the Elysian Phoenixes have from their progenitor, each company is led by an officer with the rank of Shadow Captain who is a hero of the Elysian Phoenixes. Each Shadow Captain -- in addition to his company command -- is in charge of a particular aspect of the Chapter's logistics.
Apart from minor slight deviations from the Codex Astartes, The Elysian Phoenixes adhere strictly. Unlike most chapters, Librarians are welcomed and honoured above most of their battle brothers. They are considered to carry the mind and will of the Emperor in their minds. For this reason the chapter has a high amount of Librarians than most chapters. Due to a larger amount of Librarians in the Chapter than most other complaint Chapters’, the Elysian Phoenixes companies usually have a Librarius Conclave attached. These Librarians also assist the company’s’ Captain in planning battle strategies.
SELECTED BATTLE HONOURS/HONORS
The Hunt [598.M39]
In the early 39th millennium (c. 598), the Elysian Phoenixes had discovered a thorn in their sides. A small scout party was sent away for a preliminary training exercise. The area they were to scout was an abandoned area after the revolt of the early ethnic minorities in the early compliance of the planet. After surveying the area, they quickly discovered that a small band of rogue psykers had inhabited the area. The scouts reported immediately to the Chapter Master, Lephisto Yuan-Hua.
The newly appointed Chapter Master was surprised to learn that small pockets of rogue psykers inhabited the area. Only one thought crossed the mind of the Elysian Phoenixes: They must be eradicated immediately. A dispatch of Vanguard Veterans and 2 Assault squads were sent to swiftly end the lives of these heretics. They further analysed that there was a secret network of rogues’ planning to undermine the Nephihaian government. It seems as though they were inspired by the revolt in the early days of the arrival of the Astartes. To this day the Chapter is still cleansing their home world of rogue psykers that have given themselves to the worship of Chaos. However, the threat has not interrupted the daily lives of ordinary citizens as the majority of the populations are living behind protected walls.
The Defence of Agartha [788-798.M39]
A distress signal was alerted on a planet called Agartha by Inquisitor Hawk. The Elysian Phoenixes were requested immediately for aid as they were the closest in the proximity of the sector. The Chapter was to investigate the piratical raids of a Chaos warband which named themselves the Enlightened Slayers. According to the reports, this warband was an offshoot of the Night Lords legion. Agartha was full of rich minerals which were being mined and collected for use for the Imperium. The planet also contained relics left behind from the Great Crusade. The Enlightened Slayers wanted to gather to relics to corrupt it to use against their enemies. If they were to get hold of this relic Agartha would risk being destroyed.
unfortunately this wasn’t the first time the Elysian Phoenixes had come face-to-face with the Night Lords. Their first Chapter Master Titus Zi-Xu was heavily wounded in combat against a Warband leader of their Legion. However, the Chapter saw this as an opportunity to seek out vengeance for what they had done in the past. At first only the fifth battle company with elements from the first and eighth companies was deployed. The conflict between the Elysian Phoenixes and the Warband grew weighed heavier. Upon further discovery the warband Omphuthal was planning his ascension to daemonhood, which was able to call upon daemons from the warp.
Initially the conflicts started from investigating Chaos activity to a full blown Chaos invasion, later several other chapters were called to aid the Elysian Phoenixes Chapter. A coalition was formed with the following Chapters: Thunder Consuls, Imperial Griffons, and the White Wolves. Together with the Elysian Phoenixes they were able to purge Agartha of the daemon invasion and thwarted the plans of Omphuthal. Eventually the four Chapter Masters were able to strike down Omphuthal completely annihilating his remains. As a result of this conflict, The Elysian Phoenixes periodically send forces to watch over Agartha. The relationships of the coalition have remained strong to this day, even answering each other’s call for help if requested.
The Excomunication [200.M40]
The Chapter Master Seraphiel Kytus of the Imperial Griffons requested the aid of the Elysian Phoenixes to exterminate the heretics of Forge World Azurelious. The Imperial Griffons have a strong relationship with the Fabricator General Theoderic, it was the General who asked the Imperial Griffons to investigate an incident that had occurred. Small spawns of daemons were appearing on the planet’s surface. At first the Theoderic gave it very little thought as these Daemons were dealt with quickly. However more sudden appearances of Daemons were getting more sporadic. It was no mere coincidence.
Theoderic didn’t want the Inquisition to be involved as things could escalate very quickly. Instead, he called upon the Imperial Griffons whom they have trusted over the millennia. Kytus himself personally attended to the investigation. Several scout squads were deployed to perform a recon mission. The findings brought great grief for the Fabricator General Theoderic. The sporadic spawns of Daemons were a result of Chaos corruption. A body of priests had begun worshiping a strange false god after their own imaginations. It was later revealed that they were tricked into worshipping Tzeentch.
The priests who had worshiped the strange god had their minds slowly corrupted to chaos. Soon they will willingly pledged their allegiance to Tzeentch. Theoderic and Kytus had no choice but to exterminate these traitors. Unaware of how deep the corruption was within the world of Azurelious a new group of priests took their place and openly declared war on Theoderic. Half of the Azurelious had sided with the priests and ensued a civil war lasting several years. The corrupted priests and those that sided with them called themselves the “Ezthors” and changing their dress to blue and white, to show their dedication to Tzeentch. Kytus understanding the strength of the opposing forces knew that he would need the aid of a fellow brother chapter : The Elysian Phoenixes. The Elysian Phoenixes were eager to stand side by side with their brothers. They were tasked with reconnaissance’s and boarding assaults which were vital to the strategies to overcome this war.
The civil war took a toll on both sides. Although victory was granted , it did not come without a hefty sacrifice. Millions were dead and both Chapters had a high amount of losses. More than half of the planet had been completely obliterated. the atmosphere was covered in heavy debris making it near impossible to live above the surface. The tech priests of Azurelious now had to rebuild their world and live underground. It was a hard fought war that shall never be forgotten in the annals of the Imperium.
Automatically Appended Next Post: I don't mean to double post to bump the thread but just to separate photos and text, so its not jut one long wall of text.
Here is a group shot of what i have so far:
Here are some shots that show more detail.
My plans as of now is to add 20x Intecessors, 10x Hellblasters, 10x Sternguard and 6 Aggressors and make my Terminator Chapter Master.