When a marine joins the deathwatch they bring their armor from their home chapter with them and it is ritually painted leaving the right pauldrin in original colors so as not to offend the machine spirit.

Now when a character gains a few ranks and its player decides to spend xp on artificer armor, does the character get artificer armor from the deathwatch that has only the right pauldrin repainted, do they get a set from their home chapter that has just been in the posession of the deathwatch since brother Richunclus died while in the service of the deathwatch 300 years ago, do they send away to their home chapter and say "My deathwatch cronies say that I'm now worthy of one of YOUR best sets of armor, please send 1 set to the following address...", or is there some other arrangement?

What's your take?

It is implied that techmarines labor toward the creation of their own, and that others who obtain them have distinguished themselves as heroes. So I think any of your ideas are probably equally valid.

Is there a suit of artificer armour on hand that originates from your chapter? If so, you probably get that. I don't know why it would be sitting around for 300 years in the deathwatch vault though. I would assume such armour would be returned to the chapter.

Its possible you return from a mission and your chapter made aware of your exploits deems you fitting of a suit and has it delivered (like a care package from home). This makes the most sense to me since it can't be requisition on a per mission basis which means they don't just have suits of artificer armour laying around.

Also, since it is signature war gear something that for all intents and purposes belongs to you I doubt it would come from the deathwatch. If it did you would likely have to return it upon your leave.

My thoughts...

i suggest the use of a roleplaying scene....

the armor of the player was too badly damaged...

with great honour and pride the marine came back to the chapter for the cerimony of the new armor....

or

after nearly killing injuries and during the period of healing, the master of the forge have repaired, and retailored your armor....

or

decide if the armor come from the chapter or from the vault........

or

...

or

...

or

...endless ideas