I’m kind of new to Warhammer 40000 and Dark Heresy (in fact, Dark Heresy is my first exposure to the Warhammer world) but I did some research on a few websites (mostly on Lexicanum and 1d4chan) and I have to say I really liked what I learned. I am just waiting for an opportunity to start running this game with my group. (At the moment, we are playing a campaign with another game.) I just have one small problem, and even after searching this forum, I can’t find the info I’m looking for…

I found information on the Storm Wardens chapter of the Space Marines on Lexicanum and, them being conveniently located in the Calixis Sector, I thought it would be nice to incorporate them in my campaign at some point. However, I am not too sure what exactly a Space Marine is supposed to be. I know they are the Imperium’s super-soldiers, and that their bodies are enhanced in certain ways, but what exactly does this imply? And more specifically, how do the Storm Wardens differ from other Space Marine chapters?

I am sure that the Deathwatch rulebook has all the information I need, but frankly, with all due respect to the publisher’s fine product, there’s no way I’m shelling out 60$ just for one Space Marine chapter out of a whole book, so I figured I could probably create Space Marines out of the Dark Heresy rules. Unfortunately, I don’t really know what Traits, Talents, etc. I should use. I am considering using Unnatural Strength and Toughness, and maybe Bulging Biceps, but I am not sure if there are any other appropriate traits I should consider, or if the traits I mentioned are even appropriate in the first place. Gear is not an issue for me; I think Good- or Best-quality power armor, chainswords, bolters, etc. should suit the Adeptus Astartes just fine.

To make a long story short, how can I make Space Marine NPCs using the Dark Heresy rules, and in particular, what makes the Storm Wardens stand out from other Space Marine chapters?

Thanks for your help!

The Daemonhunters book has some rules on space marines. They really aren't suitable for use in Dark Heresy though. It's like using an epic level character in a level 5 DnD game. Also, I suggest reading up on space marines on the warhammer 40k wiki, not the one you mentioned, and on 1d4chan for an informal version, but be careful because that website is NSFW.

Here is a link to the Deathwatch support page and another to a pdf of two Space Marines of Deathwatch, the second a Storm Warden.

jpomz said:

I know, but it's so much fun...

ItsUncertainWho said:

You mean I can find information on Space Marines on the page for the very game dedicated to Space Marines? I am shocked! SHOCKED!

All jokes aside, thanks! The Space Marines Abilities section of the character sheet looks pretty useful for my purposes. I'm curious about the symbols under the Armour Additions heading. What are those?

Dyvim Matt said:

You might be shocked when you realize how many people never look at the support pages for all of the 40K game lines. There is a lot of usefull info that can be used across any of the games, on all the support pages.

Jump Pack, Storm Shield, Combat Shield. Just a checklist for reminding yourself that you have one of them equipped.

I've always thought that Space Marines would be a great things to introduce in to a Dark Heresy game. Though something that I think should also be done carefully. They're awesome and crazy (and also CrazyAwesome).

Don't forget to check out the Errata, reading the weapon stats you'll see just how superior the weaponry the Astartes are. Unfortunately, they're pretty much impossible for 'mortals' to use.

As for the Storm Wardens, the Chapter has mysterious origins, owing to an incident on their homeworld that ended up with large portions of the Chapter and their monastary being sealed. From an OOC perspective it's a perfectly pragmatic way to write them, leaving things very open to individual interpretation. Their combat style has a preference toward fast moving assaults using heavy armour and transports, though like all Space Marines they're proficient in virtually every form of combat. They mostly conform to the Codex Astartes, deviating no more than other mainsteam Chapters like the Crimson Fists. Culturally they're very like the Scottish Highlanders, complete with claymores.

They're friendly enough, as far as Space Marines go,.not especially secretive or hostile to everyone they meet. But they're still Space Marines, and because they live a life very alien to most humans, there's going to be little to relate to.

If I would use Space Marines in my Dark Heresy campaigns they would probably work more like plot devices and NPC:s. This is because I'd like to maintain the special aura of the Space Marines as the Emperor's Angels of Death and not a bunch of statistics. It seems to me that unless you're playing Ascension or something Space Marines would probably not need alot of stats as everything they go up against that's on level with most Acolytes will be dead within a moment.

If you're playing Ascension or wants to introduce renegade or traitor Marines then its of course an entirely different matter.

I guess I should have pointed out that, as mentioned by Gurkhal, I intend to use the Space Marines as NPCs only. Somehow, they don't inspire me as much as the more street-level Acolytes. I think it has to do with the fact that they are, for all intents and purposes, superhumans. I like when my games are about little guys becoming epic heroes, as opposed to epic heroes becoming something I'm not even sure what to call. (Super-heroes? Demi-gods?)

Dyvim Matt said:

I like the term demigod, others prefer post-human. To me post-human is too sci-fi for 40K. 40K has more fantasy rolled in and the term demigod feels better in the context of the Astartes.

ItsUncertainWho said:

I think post human is a better phrase. Demigod would be the primarchs. Cuz ya know, demigod means child of a god...

jpomz said:

The Primarchs would actually qualify as gods, while the Astartes would be demigods, due to being part human.

No. God emperor is the only god recognized by the imperium of man. The primarchs are his sons, therefore demigods. Space marines would be heros if we're gonna use fantasy terms. Primarchs are in no way gods, unless you worship some pretty wimpy gods.

Careful, don't go saying the Primarchs are wimpy around any Space Marines.

Now that I think about it, it sounds pretty heretical too... >.>

Blood Pact said:

Burn him...

On a side note I think its entirely possible that some kind of worship may exist in ine form or another. I had an idea for example about a possibly heretical cult of the Imperial Creed that has mixed up a Primarch with the Emperor and so attributes a bunch of characteristics belonging to this Primarch with the Emperor. This comes from the fact that this specific Primarch brought their world into the fold of the Imperium and over time the memories and legends about this Primarch have been merged with the Emperor. Needless to say this can get them into some serious problems.

The best use of a Space Marine is as a Deus ex Machina or Plot Device. There is not much that can withstand the might of a Space Marine. He hits harder with his bare fist then a character armed with a powersword. His weapons have the impact of a rocket. Bullets bounce of his armor and physique. The only way for mere mortals to kill a Space Marine is to mob up on him. It takes dozens and dozens of soldiers to take one down. If they don't mind dying themselves in the proces. Calling them Demi Gods sounds right.

They are also rare. Very rare, In the whole of Calixis sector there is one secretive chapter (the Stormwardens) andalmost nobody knows of their existance. You will note that in the DH book you will not find them at all. It is a lucky individual to meet one of these Demi Gods even once in his or her live. And if they do, they are awestruck. They also have their own agenda and reasons to do things. They adhere to only one body. The God Emperor himself. Not even the Governor of Scintilla or the Lord Inquisitors can command them. They can make a request and hope that the Space Marines see fit to fullfill it.

For your campagin I advise you to use them very sparely and only for good reasons with long lasting implications for the campaign.

I was involved in two games, in one we managed to recover an ancient artifact belonging to one of the chapters, which meant that we could request aid one time. At that time we were involved in a fullfledged war against an army of heretics. The spacemarines made sure that our team could reach our target.

In another game, the Space Marines we met were in fact Fallen heretical Marines (not that we knew such classified information). So when they demanded that we gave them the prize that our Inquisitor asked us to recover we had no choice then to say meekly: "Yes Sir, it is an honor sir". Only later did we learn that we should not have done that and things got complicated after that. Right now, my character (who at this moment is Ascended) still hoped that we can bring these lost Marines back towards the light of the God Emperor. I have no idea if this will work out. Interesting to note is that these 'Chaos' Space Marines fight against he same enemies as we do and tey do not consider themselves traitors, just misunderstood.

Hope this helps a bit.

Sister Callidia said:

It certainly does. Thanks!