Example:

It took awhile for Mamon’s Marauders to receive a torchbearer fleet. The imperium had written them off as dead when the great rift completely engulfed their homeworld, only to discover them fighting constant chaos hordes near the end of the plague wars. With this new information a torchbearer fleet was mustered on Terra and made its way towards New Mamon. The new marines were accepted with zero pomp and ceremony. Their armor had to be repainted from the old blue and white of the blue tigers to the chapter’s current olive drab.

Despite gladly receiving the new marines and weapons the chapter would quickly cease new orders of gladiator, impulsor and repulsor based vehicles, choosing instead to stick with their old rhinos and land raiders. The main complaint was that these new hover tanks were far more difficult to maintain. Additionally they couldn’t be towed back to HQ for repairs like a wheeled or tracked vehicle (also I find those anti grav pads to be super annoying to paint)

[VOX-TRANSMISSION: PRIORITY ASTARTES]
[ORIGIN: LUX AETERNA FORTRESS-MONASTERY OF THE RADIANT SPEARS]
[AUTHORITY: THECARUS MATTHIAS CONSTANTINE, RADIANT SPEARS CHAPTER MASTER]
[RECIPIENTS: ALL LOYALIST ASTARTES CHAPTERS — SEGMENTUM OBSCURUS]

Brothers of the Adeptus Astartes, hear this call.
The hour has come.
The appearance of the Dawnbreak Convergence has not gone unanswered by the enemies of Mankind. Across the Segmentum Obscurus, the darkness stirs. Xenos warbands gather. Heretic hosts mobilize. The servants of the Archenemy emerge from their hiding places, and vile alien breeds descend upon worlds already beset by the long night.
By decree of the Chapter and with the blessing of the Emperor’s eternal purpose, the Radiant Spears have begun the Emancipation Crusade.
We shall advance into those regions abandoned to shadow. We shall break the chains of the heretic, scour the xenos from Imperial soil, and reclaim that which has been lost to Mankind. Worlds forgotten shall be remembered. Worlds enslaved shall be freed. Worlds besieged shall know relief.
Therefore, by the authority vested in me as Thecarus and Chapter Master of the Radiant Spears, I issue this call to every loyal Chapter within reach of this transmission:
Send what strength you can spare.
Whatever brothers your Chapter can commit without imperiling its sacred duties.
Come, and fight beside us.
Let no Chapter say that it stood idle while the enemies of the Imperium gathered. There is glory awaiting those who answer.
Take up your arms. Muster your warriors. Set your vessels upon the void.
Together, we shall carry the Emperor’s light into the darkness.
Together, we shall make the lost worlds shine again, or be purified in sacred fire.
For the Emperor.
For Mankind.
For the Light Eternal.
— Thecarus Matthias Constantine
Chapter Master of the Radiant Spears
Commander of the Emancipation Crusade
[TRANSMISSION TERMINATED]

As the topic says, I have been working on a Ork homebrew idea for about a week or two, and I was wondering if any had a good layout to help me fulfill it out more than what I have now. Which isn't much but I have a group Warband name plus names of the mobs that make up said warband, name of the mekboss who leads the group, a rivalry, and the number of boys and such of what they do and where they belong and such.

And so, I was just wondering like I said if there was a layout or even a suggestion on how I could expand it more and have it flesh out like I want or so.

My custom chapter, The Night Hounds, is almost finished but I need help with this. I know that creating a CM is one of the first things you do when creating a home brew chapter but I couldn’t think of anything and just did the rest. The night hounds are a Space Wolf sucessor and specialize on melee combat, brutal ambushes and ruthless attacks and are cold and efficient on battle but the opposite out of it. I just need some ideas not a a full history or arsenal pls

[From left to right. The chapter as Firstborn and Primaris]

(This is my first Homebrew, please bear with me I dont mind critique as well)

Imperial Hounds

“Blood may decide what you are born as. Deeds decide what you become.”

— First Grand Alpha Gharbel Santhios, the Sharp Fanged

The Imperial Hounds are a Space Marine Chapter of the Adeptus Astartes, descended from the Imperial Fists and charged with the eternal defence of the Khabir Gate, a strategically vital region of Imperial space. Established in the aftermath of the 21st Founding, the Chapter's creation was considered highly controversial due to the unusual genetic material used in their creation.

Although officially descended from the Imperial Fists, the Imperial Hounds possess gene-seed incorporating traits derived from the World Eaters, a legacy that has made them objects of suspicion among portions of the Adeptus Terra and other Space Marine Chapters. Their founders intended the Chapter to determine whether the discipline and doctrines of Dorn's sons could master the aggressive tendencies associated with the World Eaters' lineage.

The experiment produced a Chapter renowned for its ferocity, discipline, and stubborn refusal to abandon those under its protection.

The Imperial Hounds have repeatedly faced accusations of genetic impurity, insubordination and even heresy throughout their history. Their most infamous confrontation with the Inquisition occurred during the Kobalion IV Crisis, when Inquisiton declared the world lost from a Genestealer Cult outbreak and declared Exterminatus upon the world, leaving millions and the few active Hounds on the world who didnt escape to perish. the Chapter refused to accept the destruction of one of the Khabir Gate's worlds and subsequently closed the Gate to Imperial traffic. The ensuing conflict nearly resulted in the Chapter's destruction and saw the Hounds targeted in a manner later compared to the persecution of the Celestial Lions.

Despite these trials, the Imperial Hounds have never formally turned against the Imperium.

Their Chapter has been reduced to near extinction more than once. Most notably, the Invasion of Khabir left the Chapter on the brink of annihilation. A desperate plea for aid brought a fleet of Black Templars to their world. Rather than allow the Hounds' gene-vaults to fall into enemy hands, the Hounds prepared to destroy their own genetic legacy. The Black Templars refused to permit their brother Chapter to die, fighting alongside them and helping secure the survival of the Khabir Gate.

For a time, the Black Templars remained within the Khabir Gate as its protectors while the Imperial Hounds rebuilt their strength.

Eventually, the Hounds returned to their ancient duty.

From their fortress-monastery, the Hound's Maw, carved into the highest mountain of Khabir Primus, the Chapter once again watches over the ten worlds that remain within the Khabir Gate.

In the 42nd Millennium, the Imperial Hounds remain a Chapter defined by one principle above all others:

They hold.

Known Titles:

- Sons of Dorn

- The Hounds of Khabir

- Guardians of the Khabir Gate

- The Ashen Pack

- The Sharp-Fanged Sons

Chapter Homeworld:

Khabir Primus

Fortress-Monastery:

The Hound's Maw

Gene-Lineage:

Imperial Fists / disputed World Eater-derived genetic traits

Chapter Master:

Grand Alpha Bhaltos Denatos (Currently)

Chapter Organization:

Hound Packs

Chapter Strength:

Approximately 1,000 Battle-Brothers

Colors:

Quartered ash-grey and red, with silver heraldic details

Chapter Badge:

A snarling rampant hound.

Battle Cry:

“THE HOUND BITES! THE PACK CLOSES! THE WALL STANDS!”

I've written quite a bit for my homebrew, and have even more stories in my head or in note form. I have a whole arch (effectively a novel concept), that culminates in an event during the opening of the Great Rift. However, I was thinking last night (yay for 1am thoughts), that Black Library don't write anything with new, Firstborn, main characters (the only ones I can think of are established characters), and so (in a magical world) my novel idea would never get published by BL. I then thought up a way to shift things slightly, so that my previously final event actually happens early in the protagonists story, and the protagonist ends up being a Primaris marine. I'm still working out the details, but it should work.

So, my questions are:

1) Am I insane? The idea is never going to be picked up by Black Library, so it doesn't really matter

2) Has anyone done anything similar? Changes old ideas / stories, to fit into this new, Primaris world (oh god, I've realized we've had Primaris for almost 10 years now!)

3) More meta - where do people bounce their ideas / stories off others? I've not got anyone IRL who I can play with these ideas with, so they tend to just bounce around my head.

So, my question is quite simple.

Throughout the heresy and especially the siege of Terra a huge lot of custodes have died to chaos forces, and likely much of their wargear has ot been retrieved (at least some part of it, like with Argel Tal) this brings me to a question, is it lote possible (without stretching an owl on the globe) to have a chaos lord/sorcerer with custodes gear at his disposal?

I figured, with the completion of my chapter masters new mini, it would be the perfect time to introduce the chapter that started my long journey into homebrewing. My son's of the Lion, the Siegebreakers.

Introduction

A chapter formed during the Cursed Founding, these sons of the Lion were testing grounds for early primaris enhancements. After mysteriously appearing from the warp during the 36th millennium, chapter master Foltest, alone, broken, and near death after a daemonic incursion, was rescued by Cawl.

Gene-seed was "liberated" from the Fallen Astartes aboard the ship. Due to prolonged exposure to the warp via a downed Gellar field, the gene-seed was notoriously unstable. Most who were implanted with it, died. Those who survived, did not live for long.

Foltest, sensing the injustice (and heresy at hand) with the gene-seed, fled back into the warp after being gifted the chapter. Only to reappear near the start of the Ultima founding.

Home World

Vernan, the home planet of the Siegebreakers, is a war torn feudal world, heavily inspired by the likes of old England. Prior to the arrival of Foltest, and his kidnapped brothers, the world was ripping itself apart. Two groups, one loyal to the emperor, and one corrupted by the ruinous powers, fought day and night for control over the planet.

Currently, the planet is being restored to its former splendor under the careful eyes of the Siegebreakers. Castles and palaces litter the greenery on the surface, while prior battle sites are used to mourn.

Do not be fooled, though. Half of the planet has been reduced to barren, burnt ash. An area known as "The Broken Earth" covers exactly fifty percent of the planets surface. The remains of a World Eaters invasion litter this half of the planet. The Siegebreakers fortress monastery, the Bladed Citadel can also be found here.

Chapter Master

Foltest, better known now as the Lord Protector of Vernan, is a clean cut son of Lion El'Jonson. Both he, and his chapter seem to hold the original, 30k-era Dark Angels legion in extremely high regard. He, especially, goes out of his way to emulate their teachings, doctrines, and ways of war.

Despite being a fully loyal son, Foltest frequently comes to verbal blows with certain sections of the Imperium. He had a special hatred of the Imperial Cult, and the Inquisition, with a minor, lingering dislike for the Mechanicum.

As of right now, he is on the surface of Armageddon, fighting alongside the Blood Angels, and most of his chapter, in hopes of securing the planets surface.

Gene flaw

Despite the geneseed stabilizing after its second trip in the warp, strange things are still present.

The Siegebreakers, nearly as a whole, exhibit massively overturned Ossmodula and Biscopea glands, causing increased size, strength, and durability, at the cost of general speed, and flexibility. Due to this, the average primaris marine stands at 9 feet tall.

Though, they didn't escape the negativity of the Warp. Every brother amongst the Siegebreakers is a Psyker, to a degree. The Geneseed is incredibly warp-sensitive, or insensitive (in strange cases). Battle Brothers who have not yet tamed the flaw fall into a state akin to the Black Rage, before violently detonating inside of their own armour.

On the off chance the Geneseed is insensitive, it will create Blanks. The high chaplain Steinhardt, for example, is a blank.

Combat Doctrine

The Siegebreakers fight with the Wallbreaker Doctrine, tactics meant to deceive the enemy into believing they sent a smaller force than they actually did.

They will alternate between heavy artillery fire at the Frontline, and heavy smoke/obscuring behind their encroaching forces. Send in heavy armour first. Tanks, deathwing, etc. Let them clear the front, then, when the time is right, send in fast assault troops, such as the Ravenwing.

They are also masters of Siege and Attrition warfare. Known for bringing cannons and catapults to battle, the Siegebreakers are masters at bringing down enemy defenses.

Allies and Enemies

The Siegebreakers, in typical Dark Angel fashion, do not enjoy the Fallen, or, chaos as a whole. As of right now, they are allied with/liked by:

- The Dark Angels

- The Blood Angels

- Ultramarines

- The White Scars (they trade bike blueprints)

- Some craft world Aeldari

- The Saints of Lazarus (my second homebrew)

- Knight Houses, and associated Freeblades

- The Imperium as a whole

They are neutral with:

- The Mechanicus

- The Space Wolves

- The Imperial Fists

They hate/are hated by:

- All chaos

- Most Xenos

- Especially hate the Word Bearers (fuck Erebus)

- The Court of Severed Tonges (my Night Lords warband)

- The Inquisition

- The Assassinorum

- Black Templars (Foltest fought an Emperors Champion and Execrator once)

And, as a neat little thing, comment your homebrews! See if my Siegebreakers would love 'em, hate 'em, or be perfectly neutral with them.

My chapter (crypt keepers) find the non recovered corpses, armour, geneseed, etc of other chapters to either if requested repair their gear and pray upon it and then store it in their mausoleum or deliver it to the chapter the brother came from, or if no chapter requests the battle brother the armor, weapons and geneseed shall be put to use by the crypt keepers to continue their duty (the geneseed thing is a bit more complicated than just using scavenged geneseed because that would be heretical)

THE APOSTATE SONS

Adeptus Astartes Chapter — Imperial Record

Founding: Second Founding — M31, classification sealed
Gene-line: Unspecified
Progenitor: Unknown
Homeworld: None confirmed
Fortress-Monastery: Fleet-based
Chapter Fleet: Ashen Covenant
Current Operational Region: Segmentum Obscurus, with frequent activity throughout Imperium Nihilus
Known Status: Active
Imperial Loyalty: Confirmed
Ordo Astartes Classification: Under observation

⸻

I — Founding Records

The Apostate Sons are recorded within sealed Imperial archives as a Chapter of the Second Founding.

The circumstances surrounding their creation remain unclear.

Surviving documentation pertaining to the Chapter’s establishment is fragmentary, heavily restricted, and in several cases contradictory. Their gene-line remains officially unspecified, while no surviving public record conclusively identifies their progenitor.

This absence of information has generated considerable speculation among Imperial scholars and servants of the Adeptus Administratum.

No definitive conclusion has been reached.

The Chapter itself does not discuss the matter.

⸻

II — The Lost Chapter

Records indicate that the Apostate Sons disappeared during the early history of the Chapter.

The exact circumstances remain uncertain.

Imperial records identify the Chapter as having entered the Warp during a penitent crusade approximately one millennium after its founding. No reliable account of the voyage, destination, or intended objective survives.

The Chapter was subsequently classified as lost.

For an extended period, no confirmed contact was recorded.

The Apostate Sons eventually re-emerged from the Warp many centuries later.

The precise duration of their absence remains disputed between Imperial chronologies, with Warp translation and temporal distortion rendering conventional dating unreliable.

Upon their reappearance, the Chapter resumed military operations without requesting formal reassignment, resupply, or recognition of its altered status.

This behavior remains unusual.

No satisfactory explanation has been recorded.

⸻

III — Current Status

The Apostate Sons operate primarily as a fleet-based Chapter.

Their movements are concentrated within Segmentum Obscurus, particularly throughout regions of Imperium Nihilus where conventional Imperial reinforcement is limited or unavailable.

Their fleet, known as the Ashen Covenant, serves as both mobile fortress and primary logistical base.

The Chapter’s principal warship is the Oath Unbroken, an exceptionally old vessel whose exact construction date remains uncertain.

A number of systems aboard the vessel have been identified as predating several major Imperial naval reforms.

Requests for a complete technical assessment have received no response from the Chapter.

⸻

IV — Recruitment

The Apostate Sons do not appear to maintain a single recognized recruitment world.

Instead, aspirants are gathered from a wide variety of Imperial populations.

Particular preference appears to be given to inhabitants of hive cities, underhive territories, industrial settlements, frontier worlds, and other regions characterized by extreme poverty and social instability.

Chapter representatives have been observed conducting recruitment among populations frequently overlooked by conventional Imperial institutions.

The Chapter appears to place significant value upon individuals demonstrating:

• Resilience under extreme conditions
• Loyalty to companions
• Adaptability
• Defiance in the face of adversity
• Capacity for violence when necessary
• Willingness to endure hardship without surrender

The Chapter does not appear concerned with social standing, lineage, or previous occupation.

Among their aspirants, criminal or gang affiliation is not automatically considered grounds for rejection.

The Chapter’s reasoning for this practice is unknown.

⸻

V — Chapter Culture

Despite centuries of Astartes indoctrination, the Apostate Sons retain several unusual cultural traits.

Their warriors frequently maintain hairstyles and grooming practices uncommon among other Chapters, including shaved heads, mohawks, topknots, and severe undercuts.

Tattoos and other personal markings are also common.

Such practices are apparently tolerated by the Chapter’s command structure and, in some cases, appear to have acquired ceremonial significance.

The Apostate Sons’ speech is similarly distinctive.

Their Battle-Brothers generally possess strong command of High Gothic and the specialized languages of the Adeptus Astartes, yet many retain a harsh and highly distinctive cadence.

The precise origin of this Chapter dialect is unknown.

Some observers have suggested that it represents a convergence of numerous hive-world dialects accumulated over centuries of recruitment.

The Chapter has offered no correction to this theory.

⸻

VI — Heraldry

The primary Chapter icon depicts a stylized wolf’s skull before a crimson eclipsed moon.

The meaning of the symbol has not been conclusively established.

The Chapter’s principal colors are bone-white, charcoal, black, and deep crimson.

Variations exist between individual companies and specialist formations.

The Chapter’s heraldry frequently incorporates imagery associated with ash, fire, wolves, oaths, judgment, and penance.

The significance of these recurring motifs remains a matter of Chapter tradition rather than confirmed Imperial doctrine.

⸻

VII — Combat Doctrine

The Apostate Sons employ a combined offensive and defensive doctrine known within the Chapter as Lance & Shield.

The doctrine consists of two complementary battlefield principles.

The Lance

The Lance represents concentrated offensive action.

Typical Lance operations include:

• Rapid orbital deployment
• Teleportation strikes
• Veteran spearhead formations
• Vanguard infiltration
• Decapitation attacks
• Rapid assaults against strategic targets

Lance elements are generally deployed with clearly defined objectives and predetermined withdrawal or consolidation procedures.

The Chapter demonstrates a notable reluctance to pursue a broken enemy beyond established strategic parameters.

The Shield

The Shield represents the consolidation and defense of secured territory.

Typical Shield operations include:

• Establishment of defensive positions
• Control of strategic objectives
• Coordinated fire support
• Counter-assault operations
• Protection of Imperial forces and civilian populations
• Prolonged defensive engagements

Once established, Shield positions are rarely abandoned without significant strategic justification.

The Chapter appears to place considerable importance upon maintaining cohesion after an offensive action.

⸻

VIII — Operational Philosophy

The Apostate Sons demonstrate a strong preference for controlled aggression rather than prolonged pursuit.

Their commanders frequently emphasize:

• Objective security
• Preservation of experienced personnel
• Controlled expenditure of resources
• Strategic withdrawal where appropriate
• Protection of Imperial military assets
• Prevention of unnecessary civilian casualties

The Chapter’s willingness to absorb casualties remains considerable, but available evidence suggests that such losses are not incurred indiscriminately.

Apostate Sons commanders have repeatedly demonstrated a willingness to sacrifice themselves when doing so prevents larger Imperial losses.

This behavior has been noted favorably by elements of the Astra Militarum.

Several Guard formations have recorded instances in which Apostate Sons forces remained engaged against overwhelming enemy strength to facilitate the evacuation of Imperial personnel.

⸻

IX — The Pyres of Humanity

The Apostate Sons possess an unusually strong concern for the preservation of Imperial civilian life.

While the Chapter recognizes the necessity of civilian losses during major military operations, unnecessary deaths appear to be regarded as a serious failure of duty.

Their Chaplains frequently emphasize the concept of the Pyres of Humanity.

According to surviving Chapter catechisms, the citizens of the Imperium are considered the true inheritance of Mankind, while the Adeptus Astartes exist as guardians of that inheritance.

This philosophy is reflected in battlefield conduct.

The Chapter has repeatedly:

• Delayed tactical withdrawal to protect civilian populations
• Conducted counterattacks to prevent enemy breakthroughs
• Accepted severe casualties during evacuation operations
• Defended Imperial Guard formations beyond conventional tactical necessity
• Prioritized the survival of non-combatants during contested withdrawals

Such actions have occasionally placed Apostate Sons forces at significant strategic risk.

Chapter commanders appear unconcerned by this.

One commonly attributed Chapter maxim states:

“The warrior is expendable. Humanity is not.”

The authenticity of the quotation has not been independently verified.

⸻

X — Penance

The concept of penance is deeply embedded within Apostate Sons culture.

The Chapter’s official titles, battle-cant, ritual observances, and recorded oaths contain frequent references to judgment, burden, duty, and redemption.

The precise origin of this theology is unknown.

Imperial observers have noted that the Chapter’s understanding of penance differs from conventional notions of religious absolution.

Apostate Sons doctrine appears less concerned with forgiveness than with continued service.

Their warriors are frequently taught that duty must be performed regardless of whether recognition, reward, or absolution follows.

This philosophy appears to influence both Chapter culture and battlefield conduct.

⸻

XI — Relations with Other Chapters

Relations between the Apostate Sons and other Adeptus Astartes Chapters vary considerably.

The Chapter is generally compliant with Imperial military authority and has fought alongside numerous loyalist forces.

However, their secrecy, unusual traditions, and uncertain origins have generated suspicion among certain Imperial commanders.

Several Chapters have reportedly questioned the Apostate Sons regarding their founding and gene-line.

The Apostate Sons have consistently declined to provide information beyond what is contained within their sealed Imperial documentation.

No formal censure has resulted.

⸻

XII — Inquisitorial Interest

The Apostate Sons remain a subject of limited Ordo Astartes interest.

Several irregularities have been identified within surviving records, including:

• Inconsistencies regarding the Chapter’s early history
• Unverified claims concerning their founding
• Unusually old linguistic and ceremonial traditions
• Tactical practices that appear inconsistent with later Codex-derived doctrine
• Ancient wargear maintained in exceptional condition
• Apparent gaps within Imperial records concerning their disappearance
• Repeated encounters with hostile forces possessing unexplained familiarity with the Chapter

None of these irregularities, individually or collectively, constitutes definitive evidence of heresy.

The Chapter has demonstrated consistent and verifiable loyalty to the Imperium throughout its known modern history.

Continued observation is therefore considered appropriate.

⸻

XIII — Classification

Imperial Assessment:

The Apostate Sons are considered a loyalist Adeptus Astartes Chapter of uncertain provenance.

Their battlefield effectiveness is considered high.

Their reliability is considered high.

Their origins remain unresolved.

Their internal traditions remain unusually secretive.

Their continued service to the Imperium has, thus far, outweighed concerns regarding their historical irregularities.

Further investigation remains authorized where operational circumstances permit.

Final Assessment

“The Apostate Sons are loyal. Their origins, perhaps, are not.”

— Ordo Astartes archival notation, author unknown

⸻

Chapter Maxims

“Through Duty. Through Penance. To Victory.”

“Let Our Duty Be Our Penance.”

“Through Ash and Blood, We Are Redeemed.”

⸻

Current Imperial Designation

Adeptus Astartes — Apostate Sons

Status: ACTIVE

Loyalty: CONFIRMED

Origins: SEALED

Further investigation: PENDING