There’s mention in a few places in the DH books about a famous Calixian regiment of the Imperial Guard called “The Brontian Long Knives”. They’ve captivated my imagination somewhat so I think I might have a go at writing a “history” of the regiment up to and including ideas for alternate career options in Dark Heresy and possibly even army list ideas for fielding them as a force in the tabletop game.

I don't want to step on anyone elses toes here and while a brief search has found nothing on the subject has anyone already written about the unit or done something similar already?

I noticed that. In fact there's a bit of shortage of information about the local guard regiments in general. The Brontian longknives are mentioned as are a couple of others but seeing as they are one sector over from the eye of terror wouldn't you expect at least of the Hive worlds to raise regiments if not actually have garrisons.

Where is the 225th Malfian, the 93rd Scintillian or the 156th Fenksworlders. Other than sent of to other sectors you would think garrisons of these regiments would be based anywhere important.

I started writing up a 50 page fanbook for all the Calixian guard regiments, including the Brontian Longknives. It was basically going to be a Guardsman's player's guide...but I got distracted by the usual stuff: litigation, unhappy love affairs, backpacking trips to Vietnam...

I got about 25 pages in, but hadn't gotten around to the Brontians. Initial steps were confused by the fact that they were originally TWO worlds in the Calixis Sector called Bront (hive and Agri) in the old, defective Calixis sector map. I drafted up a treatment of them as sort of tough WWII era Kentucky Farmboys, but then the revised version scuppered that by turning them into hive worlders once and for all.

I now have in mind a kind of rough, tough heavy assault regiment, with quite modern looking armour and distinctive spiky/spear-like lasguns. That's more of a concept than anything else, though.

In the 5 page historical apocrypha I've written for the Calixian Guard I have a little nod to the confusion over the naming of their world by stating that Brontians are a notoriously unimaginative people whose Guardsmen name every world they colonise...Bront.

EDIT: I know what you mean about them capturing your imagination, though. There's something about the name "Brontian Longknives" that is inherently cool!

The IH mentions that the two-handed Waller Pattern Mark VI Power Longsword is popular amongst the Brontian Longnives (certainly only the officers use them though...).

Nope Luthor, they all use them. Power Claymores to be precise.

A unit of Brontians was part of the honor guard of Drusus himself, their history is long and replete with tales of glory and legendary last stands against terrible odds... though I suppose that describes any group that has fought for the Imperium for awhile and managed to survive, neh?

They're an elite guard unit, think of the Volpone Bluebloods from Gaunt's Ghosts, only the Brontians have a reputation for being good guys, (e.g. hard drinkers).

Lightbringer said:

More like they were drunk and couldn't be bothered, Lightbringer.

Power Claymores? Awesome! Like a whole regiment of Mad Jack Churchills then, huh?

But where does this info come from? I know you contributed to some products of DH line, TS Luikart. So are you saying that there is some behind-the-scenes "production bible" including all the unpublished canon? If yes, it would be great, certainly a turn away from normal GW's retconning of retconned retcons.

The claymores are referenced in The Inquisitor's Handbook.

The images I have in mind of them at the moment are of "highlander" types - like the Wolf Clans of Mutant Chronicles Imperial Corporation or the Frothers of SLA Industries...(referencing early 1990s rpgs there....). Also I agree that they might be some sort of assault specialist regiment - I can picture a host of Chimeras roaring over a ridge, the hatches bursting open and a horde of tartan clad, wailing (possibly mildly drunken) guardsmen pouring out, singing praises to the Emperor and swinging power claymores over their heads...

Glad folks like them. I'll have to see if I still have their background stuff around from the IH book development files.

Yes please Tim! That would be an awesome "Christmas gift"

I checked through my files and I probably must have written over anything I'd done up for them, sorry. To be honest though I didn't have much on them but their fondness for longer blades and wanting to the name after learning about it from American military history. I did think of them pretty brutal and harsh, much like their weapon. Not so much elites as ground-sloggers, the ones you call in for the long duration methodical grinding down of a foe. But hey, it’s a big sector and no reason why some of the regiments from the planet couldn’t have taken up different customs over the years.

Frankly though I can't see an entire IG regiment armed with power swords - not even a Space Marine Chapter could field such specialized weaponry for all its members (and they would only need a thousand). I could see though a system where the men were issued regular longswords and upon promotion the blade could be upgraded to the Waller Pattern power longsword. The veteran squads or command staff units all having a Waller would be cool visually - the image of them all drawing and igniting thier blades on a charge would make for a great bit in a game.

from france

i agree a whole regiment of powersword is unfeasable. like it is unfeasable for a regiment of a space marines or sororitas covent. at the very extreme range of the possibilities i think of mono sword. but even that... what i more possible is best quality but not mono appart for officer.

so for me it is officer with power sword mid rank officer or lower mono sword and for common soldier best quality claymore. just watch the post " the absurdity of great wepons" they deals 2d10 damages. more than enough to be useful.

I'd imagined them as having sword-bayonets for standard kit, and officers (possibly also veterans) with the big bloody power-claymores.

ah i have been inspired my small 500pt imperial guard army is now called the 20th brontian longknives