Sons of El Dorado (Custom Chapter)

By Jkilla41, in Deathwatch

This is my background info on them plaese give feedback, game stats to come a little later!

The Sons of El Dorado
The Sons of El Dorado Chapter has an unknown age but many of the Librarians agree that it is somewhere around 38M. The truth is they do not know who their Primarch or their Chapter or Legion of Origin is. The Sons are a fleet based Chapter operating in the southwest territory (somewhere in the territory of Ultrimar) of the Imperium, never staying in one area of space for too long (for good reason). The fleet is mostly made of Battle Barges and Strike Crusiers escorting two full fledged Battleships; one an Emperor-Class (the Lance of the Ancients) and one Apocalypse-Class (the Exterminus Maxima). This fleet escorts the jewel of the Chapter, its City Ship (and Mothership) the El Dorado. The distinguished feature of the El Dorado is the enormous Golden Pyramid in the center mass of the ship, which also serves as the main place of faith for the Marines and the Masses aboard her. The culture of the flotilla the Sons call home is unique. Representing a population much of which you would find inhabiting a spaceport. The Sons have a doctrine of always offering civilians a home on board the flotilla when their planet is no longer habitable, whether it is an Exterminus order, war, or what have you. This creates a culture that takes from many different cultures. This philosophy is embodied in the Sons’ simple motto “Protego”, meaning “to protect.” The culture on board the flotilla, while varied, has one constant…The Sons of El Dorado Chapter. The general consensus among the people inhabiting the flotilla is that the Marines are angels that have rescued them from certain death and pain on their doomed home world. This leads to an almost idolization of the Marines (much to the dislike of the clerics and Ecclestriarchy on board). This is the ragtag population form which the Sons come from.
The Sons of the Golden Pyramid
The Sons are a Force of a limited number. The reason for this is twofold. The first reason for this is the fact that in the earlier part of the 40M the Sons entered a battle over the Agri-world called Thyrios battling the green menace on the surface below. The Sons had committed a majority of their forces to the planet as per their combat doctrine, seeing as it was a major joint the Warboss Darkfoot’s Waagh! in the sector. Unfortunately, the Warboss was cleverer than the Chapter Master had given credit, it was an ambush. Major parts of the fleet was lost and with it the companies left on the surface were stranded for 3 months and the majority of the companies were massacred before the never ending green tide. Eventually the remainder of the fleet arrived and destroyed the remainder of the Orks and rescued what little remains were left of the mighty companies. After that disaster, the remaining marines were consolidated into the remaining 5 companies, the banners of the other 5 were interred in the Temple to remain immortally be a reminder of the memories of that tragic day.
The second and over arching reason for the low numbers is the initiation tests that The Sons of El Dorado put the candidates through. The first test is a test of arms. A message is sent out every year to every male of age in the flotilla that thinks he has the martial skills to trump his peers in physical combat. These fights are to yield or death, the latter happens more often. If they survive the physical test then the candidates are taken into the monastery to have their endurance and survival instinct tested. This test involves the candidates being very little, if any, food and the candidates must either take it from their peers or steal it from the marines themselves. If they can pass this agonizing test (in which most fail) then they are initiated into the Chapter.
The Fortress Monastery of the Sons of El Dorado is centered on the Golden Pyramid. This monastery is off limits to public, except on days of worship in which everybody may enter the monastery’s walls. The Pyramid serves another purpose other than a temple and an example of the Emperors will, it is also their initiation and rites chambers to the Chapter, an armory and forge, and it is the Chapter’s library otherwise known as the Chamber of Whispers. In the entrance hall stands all of the suits of the 1st company standing watch as the person traverses the enormous vaulted hallway up to the golden steps leading into the temple. The Temple is protected by two armed Honor Guards (known as the Temple Protecterate) at all times. This is considered an honor even amongst the honor guard, which frequently issue combat challenges to each other to prove their worth to stand guard.
The Companies of the Sons of El Dorado is one of the other unique pieces about them. They are only three battle companies deep, with one veteran and one scout company. There is one other company not actually listed as a company, the sixth company otherwise known as the “Shadow” company. Every Neophyte enters the scout company in which they will learn how to wield each of the Astartes’s weapons. The Neophyte is also watched during this time in order to determine his role in the Chapter after he leaves the scout company. If he has tendency for close range fights he is assigned to an assault squad, tendency for long range he goes to a devastator squad. Many though go into tactical squads as they showed no tendency but an overall mastery. If they show a tendency for stealth and recon they are assigned to the 6th company.
“Grip, your bolter tightly brothers! Knowing such that you bring the Emperor’s wrath! And mind your ammo, for every holy bolt wasted our future grows darker!”
-Spoken by Captain Venarius, Captain of the 2nd Company. Said staring down a wave of Orks.

Combat Doctrine
The Sons hold the Codex Astartes in high regard, though their practices seem to be unorthodox on the outside. Being only 5 companies, the fifth of which is the scout company, deep has made them change their approach to warfare. The style of warfare employed has been described by other Chapters as “driving a stake into the ground with a hammer, pinpoint focus with the force of a hammer.” This is a very good analogy as the doctrine of the Sons revolves around squads of marines being in the perfect place at perfect time. This kind of mentality leads most Sons reviewing and perfecting battle plans and tactics long before and after the battle has been fought.
In battle, squads generally are assigned a Rhino and crew or in the case of a captain, a Razorback, to be used for every battle they are never to be separated, leading to the crews of the Rhinos and the squads they are assigned to be very close. The squads are transported across the battlefield until they reach an optimal range to do the most damage with the boltgun without being in range for a viable counterassault. The squads only enter into assault range once the opportunity presents itself for an assault without taking heavy losses. The Sons have been known to sit in position hammering away at the enemy for days before assault marines enter into the fray to finish the enemy off.
Patience and tactical acumen are the two most essential qualities of any Son of El Dorado from Neophyte to the Chapter Master himself.

Interesting take, need to see the mechanics before giving a full opinion.

As I promised, here are some more of the nuts and bolts. Trappings and Relics plus Librarian Powers are on the way! gran_risa.gif

Game Statistics
The Sons of El Dorado are individual masters of their respective craft, but still retain their individuality of their home world’s culture.
+5 to BS or WS, +5 to any other Characteristic and the Keen Mind Solo Ability

Demeanor
A Mind as Sharp as a Blade
The Sons of El Dorado are renowned throughout the Imperium as having the sharpest tactical acumen on par with that of the Mentors Chapter! A Son is not likely to act on a major situation without a plan at hand. This has lead to some friction between the Sons and more action based Chapters, such as the Space Wolves and the Imperial Fists. In their down time the Sons prefer to play games and exercises that keep their minds sharp and ready while enjoying the competition. They invite all comers to try and best them at their own games, which has led to some bonding to other Chapters who enjoy the friendly competition.

Advancement Table
Charm…300XP
Charm +10…400XP
Charm +20…600XP
Logic…300XP
Logic +10…400XP
Logic +20…600XP
Tactics (any)…300XP
Tactics (any) +10…400XP
Tactics (any) +20…600XP
Foresight…800XP
Talented (Tactics)…500XP

Solo Ability
Keen Mind
Rank:1
Effects: The Sons of El Dorado are taught to always mind your surroundings and react accordingly. Before combat begins if the marine can take some time (a minimum of 2 minutes) to plan his actions, he becomes more effective in combat, giving him a +2 to either WS or BS during that engagement.
Improvements: At rank 4, the time required drops to 1 minute and increases the bonus to +4, at Rank 7 his ability improves further allowing him to take 1 Full Action with a +5 increase.

Chapter Attack Pattern
Make Every Shot Count-The Sons are known to conserve their ammo, making precise bursts in order to make every shot count, for you never know what challenges lie in wait down the road…
Action: Full
Cost: 3
Sustained: Yes
Effects: The Son directs the firepower of every battle brother in support range with extreme precision as not to waste ammo. All brothers in support range get a +10 to BS and the Called Shot Maneuver is a Free Action. Cannot use Full Auto firing mode (if others are selectable).
Improvements: If the brother is Rank 4 or more the brothers in support range receive a +20 to BS, Called Shots are still a Free Action.

Chapter Defensive Pattern
Wall of Fire-The brothers call a formation of brothers advancing onwards in ranks with cold precision and stout resolve.
Action: Half
Cost: 2
Sustained: Yes
Effects: The Brother and every other in support range gain a +5 to BS as long as they do not move faster than walking speed. Furthermore, if a brother in support range fails a dodge check another brother within reach range may interpose himself for the damage instead as a reaction.
Improvements: At Rank 4 or more the bonus to BS increase to +10.

DERP! sonrojado.gif

Forgot an important peice that y'all may be wondering about.

Colors: Royal Purple and Gold

Armor Parttern: As per Codex, Royal Purple main, Gold triming

Chapter Icon: A Golden Pyrmid with the pinnacle cut off

....I really wish I could upload the pictures I want.....maybe someday!

-J

Another peice, this is the chapter pasts, trappings, and Relics (relic actually, working on others...but for the price of speediness)

Enjoy!

Sons of El Dorado Past Histories

1-Survivor of the Green Wave You have fought and survived against many of the Chapter’s confrontations against the Orks. Your Ork killing skills are well known throughout the Companies.

2-Strike Vessel Commander You have served with distinction on one the Battle Fleet’s many warships. You feel at home in command of the vessel as much as your bolter.


3-Served in the Shadow You have shown high mastery of the arts of stealth and subterfuge, so you were placed in the company that does not exist. You have carried out missions that will never be recorded yet won as many battles as your brothers have. You know what it means to never have your victories sung, you feel at peace with that.


4-Diplomat You have served in battles with other Chapters and garnered respect amongst your foreign brothers in the name of the Sons. You have many friends amongst the stars, and they speak very well of you.


5-Seen the Face of the Warp You were one of the boarding party onto the Space Hulk Averia. There you and your brothers have faced the horrors of the warp and survived. What you witnessed on that ship would have destroyed any mortal man’s sanity…but you are no mortal man.

Chapter Trappings
Litany of Your Home
Marines are allowed to carry a litany that tells of the world from which they come on their person. These litanies are as varied as the marines that carry them. Each has a simple description of the world without giving the name so that they will never be able to find it.

Death Reigned : +5 to Survival
Paradise Ruined : +5 Charm
Towers of Man Brought to the Ground in Flames : +5 Awareness
Forges Smelted Metals until the Forges were Smelted : +5 Tech Use
They Battled until the Battle Torn it Asunder : +2 Wounds

Medallion of the Golden Pyramid
These medallions are a common sight amongst the battle brothers of the Sons of El Dorado. They are of a golden pyramid, top missing, with a skull in the middle of the pyramid suspended from a golden chain. Many say these medallions have been blessed by the Emperor himself. The medallion is considered a charm (as per in the armory).

Relics
Armor of the Golden Brother
This armor was gifted to the Deathwatch after their assistance in defending a planet from an Ork invasion. It is black with a golden effigy of the battle on the chest and the left kneepad is adorned with the Golden Pyramid, the backpack is adorned with an Inquisitorial I. On the right arm is a forearm mounted storm bolter. The machine spirits of this armor are attuned to the chaos of battle increasing the ability of the brother to comprehend the flow of the battle around him .
This is an Artificer Armor with a forearm mounted Storm Bolter. This Armor grants the wearer a +10 Perception, +5 BS and WS, and the Combat Sense Talent.

Anybody reading this page.....I would like some feedbacks ladies and gentlemen.

Thx as always!

-J

The stats don't make much sense to me other than to be uber. Based on your background a +5 Toughness and +5 Intelligence seems more appropriate.

I also question any chapter trapping that gives wounds. It just doesn't seem right that an item should grant you more wounds.

The relic armor also seems, to me, to be too much. I would limit the BS and WS bonus to "against Orks only".

ItsUncertainWho said:

The stats don't make much sense to me other than to be uber. Based on your background a +5 Toughness and +5 Intelligence seems more appropriate.

I also question any chapter trapping that gives wounds. It just doesn't seem right that an item should grant you more wounds.

The relic armor also seems, to me, to be too much. I would limit the BS and WS bonus to "against Orks only".

That makes alot of sense about the stats, I had feared that as I was writing it out. The two you suggested are good. They will be in the re-write instead of what I got.

As for the Trappings part, Its not the Trapping itself, it where he comes from. the trapping reflects the Marine himself.

-J

As well as the stats being whack (I'd go for Int and Per), the trappings are way over-powered. +2W is the obvious one (being worth 1000xp! WOW!), but the others all give +5 bonuses to very good skills. Compare these with other chapter trappings that give either +3 to niche skills, or circumstantial +3 ones to better skills. Drop the modifiers and consider making them circumstantial because at present I think every one is better than any other chapter trapping.

The relic is horrifically good. 70pts worth of armour PLUS a 20pt storm bolter AND over 2500XP of talents and stat-ups, any way you look at it. Compare this with say... well... ANY other Chapter's relic, and you'll see that there's a problem. You'd be crazy not to take it.

Chapter patters are both Sustained. This is unusual, perhaps unique. And one of them basically gives the entire squad +10/20BS and free called shots for the mission duration, which is pretty grim. Especially because it's not just single shots but semi as well. And I notice you've got the little bit in there about 'can't fire full auto, unless you don't have a choice'. Which nicely means that those geared up with an assault cannon or HB are still getting the +20 to hit. This is utterly hideous.

Talented (Tactics) I have a bit of a problem with, too. It makes the Chapter tactically better than the First Founding ones who supposedly live and breathe tactical perfection. Likewise Tactics +0 is cheaper than Ultramarines get it for. At least make it the same price.

Generally, this Chapter heavily overlaps the Ultramarines (Leadership, interpersonel skills, good attack/defence patterns) but is basically better at it in almost every way, and comparable in most other ways. If a Chapter is going to overlap a core Chapter, it -to my mind- basically shouldn't be as good. If I wanted to lead the squad, this Chapter would be a no-brainer, which is clearly a bit of a problem.

Jkilla41 said:

ItsUncertainWho said:

The stats don't make much sense to me other than to be uber. Based on your background a +5 Toughness and +5 Intelligence seems more appropriate.

I also question any chapter trapping that gives wounds. It just doesn't seem right that an item should grant you more wounds.

The relic armor also seems, to me, to be too much. I would limit the BS and WS bonus to "against Orks only".

That makes alot of sense about the stats, I had feared that as I was writing it out. The two you suggested are good. They will be in the re-write instead of what I got.

As for the Trappings part, Its not the Trapping itself, it where he comes from. the trapping reflects the Marine himself.

-J

In general less (bonuses) is more when creating chapters. My Crimson Fists' Attack Pattern might likewise be a bit too good. I'd tone it down if I wasn't confident that there will be official rules for CF in Rites of Battle.

The best warning is Blood Frenzy at Rank 7+. RF on 8+. RF on 8+. sorpresa.gif That's just over the top.

Alex

Thanks for all the help guys! Taking it all in, and Imma re-write and repost sometime in the future!

aplauso.gif all the suggestions are excelent, and the squad mode abilities are supposed to be non-sustained, sry.

-J