I have ALWAYS loved the Blood Angels. But for some reason they just aren't able to sate my thirst. Until very recently I have not been able to figure out why... but I thin I may have figured it out.
They just aren't Vampire enough for me! As such, I am starting this entry top try and put together my own home grown decedents of Sanguinius chapter. The recent release of Soulblight Gravelords by GW has provided me with a rich background and narrative to draw from and grow my own chapter with. So here goes....
I am very much inspired by the aesthetics of the Crimson Court warband that GW brought out for Direchasm. I think it would be amazing to transfer this aesthetic to Primaris marines. and even to adopt the bat head heraldry on the leader's shoulder as the Chapter's symbol.
"The Cursed Bloodlines
Each dynasty of vampires has developed its own characteristics over time. Shaped by their leaders, customs, and desires, they all have their own preferred methods of warfare."
I am thinking that this is going to be the premise for my companies. Adaptations will obviously be needed, but here are the humble beginnings:
Avengorii Dynasty - The nightmare brood. (?The Death Company)
The Avengorii are gruesome horrors that have willingly abandoned the pretence of humanity. Making their homes in underground lairs in the Realm of Beasts, they seek out the largest, most worthy brutes in Ghur to feed on. Ultimately, their armies are little more than rampaging packs of monstrous undead creatures.
Not only are the Avengorii twisted in body, but their minds also become increasingly deranged over time. Other bloodlines see them as debased, but they know they’re just a hair’s breadth away from becoming just like them.
Neferata is the Mortarch of Blood. She thinks of herself as the queen of all vampires and maintains an incredibly complex network of spies. While Neferata prefers political manipulation to threats of outright violence, her Legion of Blood is no stranger to warfare.
When they do sally forth from their stronghold in Nulahmia, the Deathrattle legions march in lockstep, in a menacing display of Neferata’s ironclad will. Add the fact that the Legion of Blood can take Black Knights as battleline units, and you have a reliable core of skeletal warriors around which to build your army. If you want to showcase the dark majesty of Death, the Legion of Blood are peerless exemplars.
The Mortarch of Night is canny, and willing to do whatever it takes to succeed, including setting aside petty grievances – if only the same could be said for Neferata and the others.
They’re the sneakiest of the five bloodlines – Mannfred and his dread abyssal, Ashigaroth, even have a nasty habit of leaping out of combat only to reappear somewhere else entirely.
The Kastelai are the most warlike and martial-minded of the vampire dynasties. These vampires reside in the Crimson Keep, a magical castle that has a tendency to translocate from place to place. They have a strong preference for mounted warriors, all the better for catching up to the fortress when they get left behind.
The lord of the Crimson Keep is Prince Vhordrai, the Fist of Nagash. This mighty vampire leads his Blood knights to war from the front, or more accurately from above on his zombie dragon. The well-drilled Kastelai cavalry values feats of skill and strength in combat, and they become even stronger as the blood begins to flow.
von Carstein’s endless pursuit of power has made his vampiric vassals ambitious and arrogant. The Legion of Night prefer to use hordes of the undead to slow the enemy down and act as bait, while powerful vampires sweep in to claim glory once they sense an easy kill.
Kastelai Dynasty
RELICS of the Chapter:
Gem of Exsanguination
Chapter fluff:
The Chapter garrisons the Crimson Keep, a mighty fortress that disappears and reforms at the dawn of each new day. This unpredictability means your force can strike from any angle, even behind enemy lines.
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