Chapter of the Forlorn Hope
The Maverick Marines are a homebrew shitstorm of personal humor. Check out the Codex Maverick Marines for some 8th edition playable rules, the Adventures of Admiral Floppycock and Rouge Trader Skullsfuckington III, or Tales from the Deathwatch.
| Maverick Marines | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battle Cry | 'BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITCH!!!' / 'For Humanity!' | |
| Number | Unknown | |
| Founding | Unknown | |
| Successors of | Unknown | |
| Successor Chapters | None | |
| Chapter Master | The True Maverick (a.k.a. "Daddy") | |
| Primarch | Unknown | |
| Homeworld | None | |
| Strength | Unknown (Suspected 1000+) | |
| Specialty | Close combat and siege (officially) | |
| Allegiance | Imperium | |
| Colours | Varies throughout the Chapter | |
The Chapter
The Founding
"We were outcast, no legion to call our own, thrown to the darkest parts of the void along the galactic edge to the far flung east. Coming to our senses to late we were not counted 'brother' among those loyal to Horus nor were we redeemable in the eyes of our kin following the Emperor of Mankind. Our numbers once were five hundred and sixty-four when we reached the edge. Three hundred jumped off the abyssal edge into the great unknown in search for new beginnings. We waited years for response and word finally came in the screams of the dead and dying. Amidst the screams came a coded message detailing worlds beyond the boarders of the Imperium and strange xenos races and even are flung remints of humanity long lost to time. The transmission ended with a spark of all tactical data that could be sent and coordinates of their present location. We, now seventy-two, vowed to better ourselves to create a legion and one day follow in the footsteps of our brave brethren and strike off into the unknown for the betterment of humanity and the glory of the Imperium whether they accepted us or not." - Kroskim, The First (Exert from the Tomes of Three: Legend of The First)
"Our time here on the edge of the unknown has been one of great trials, testing each and every one of us in ways never before conceived. Years have been spent fighting formidable xenos warriors, none more so than the Eldar. If it had not been for the Rogue Trader House from the nearby Profanus Sector, we all would have been annihilated and our legacy, experience, and knowledge would have been lost for all time. Our armor and weapons were of a bygone age and what remained were scrapped together from our fallen brethren in years past. With what was at hand, Brother Loritus has and continues to work tirelessly to maintain what supplies and armor we have acquired. I had managed to extract their gene seeds and the gene seeds of fallen Astarties that had fallen in battle. We were mere carrion picking on the corpses of the dead to bolster our meager number. Even so, in the end, it was not enough. Though we bore the markings of legions long lost, our former brothers turned traitor, we were accepted by the humans of the sector and treated with compassion. It was then that we truly learned the strength of humanity lay within the individuals that made up its structure, and not its military or technological might alone." - Cospirious, The Suicidal Apothecary (Exert from the Tomes of Three: Tome of the Suicidal Doc)
"Very little supplies, many hidden spaces, our hope is to never have to utilize these hidden vaults and deep dungeons. All throughout the Great Crusade we fought the xenos, abhorred their culter, customs, and weapons. Now as we are, we embrace them out of ironic necessity. When we are found upon the field of battle, Cospirious extracts the gene-seed from fallen brethren while it is my task to collect anything of perceived value; this includes xenos weapons. In order for our armory to remain strong, we must all adapt our knowledge and skills to that of what we find." - Loritus, The Reborn (Exert from the Tomes of Three: Mechanicum Opus Primus of Loritus)
Very little is known of the Chapter by the outside. They exist within the annals of the Imperium but their exact date of founding is unknown. According to the Tome of Three, the Chapter was founded some time after the Heresy in the confusion of the aftermath when records were often misfiled, misplaced, or missing entirely. In addition to the records of the Chapter's founders, they were a band of Astarties that had at first aligned themselves with the Warmaster Horus only to later regret their decision and defect. During this course of action, however, it was found that they would be unable or unwelcome to join the forces of the Imperium once again and thusly struck out into the unknown to find whatever purpose they could. It was during this time that a large number of their forces attempted to cross the great expanse between galaxies and perhaps even exceeded but were killed soon upon arrival. Disheartened, but determined to one day venture out across the unknown blackness as their brothers had done before they began planning. Though this notion may be long forgotten by the Chapter as a whole, the True Maverick strives ever onward to fulfill this uncompleted task.
Appearance
The color scheme of the chapter varies greatly and often changes with each new True Maverick and the colors that they prefer. Each Clan and Gang also sport their own individual colors and iconography leaving very little in way of distinguishing to which Chapter they belong. As a whole, the Chapter does not possess a sigil of the Chapter, nor do they stylize any symbols or insignia upon their pauldrons. Instead the only "marking" identifying them as belonging to the Maverick Marines is one, or both, shoulder pauldrons covered in a metallic paint and polished to a mirror finish. To the Chapter this symbolizes the true strength of the Imperium; each and every citizen, from every walk of life, that peers into it the mirrors and see themselves. Although each Cult and Clan within the Chapter possesses its own color schemes rank and positions of office are dictated by the outlining trim of their shoulder pauldrons when other badges of office are not obvious.
| Trim Color | Office/Rank | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Dark Blue | Captain or Techmarine | The trim of the captains and Reborn (Techmarines) are always the same color of the artificer power armor that the current True Maverick dawns. |
| Gold | Higher Ranking Squad member | Sergeants and squad leaders |
| Red | Lower Ranking Squad Members | The Squad |
| White | Suicidal Doc | Apothecary |
| Black | Screaming Bitch | Chaplin |
| Green | Weird | Librarian |
| Other | MISC | There exist other colors of trim to denote squads or personal preferences of individuals of preferred colors. |
Chapter Structure
To the outside observer the Maverick Marines Chapter is broken down into standard companies as seen within the other Codex Astarties compliant Chapters. However, upon closer review and inspection the companies appear to diverge from the standard norm and break down further into Cults, Gangs, or Clans. What is even more troubling to the truly observant is that there is, in reality, little to no semblance of known order. The Chapter, with the exception of the higher ranking members, appear to be little more than a hoard or mob of techno crazed individuals looting, tinkering, reengineering, or constructing all manner of strange devices and weaponry. This gives the Maverick Marines the unique ability to field a host of weaponry never before seen by the Imperium of Man.
Clan Maverick
Within the Chapter, Clan Maverick are the leaders and heads of office within the Chapter's structure. The heads of office being the techmarines known as Chief Mavericks Librarians known as Weirds, Chaplains known as the Screaming Bitches, and Apothecaries called Suicidals or Suicide Docs. This clan also encompasses the 1st company known as the Aspirants; those that aspire to one day become Chief Mavericks or eventually one day the True Maverick. Each of the Aspirants dress in muscle etched armor and dark ashen-grey robes sporting pauldrons decorated in wings and other symbols of the Imperium but never of their Chapter. Odder still is their color scheme. When looked upon by the casual observer, they many times unable to come to terms with what they see; the armor shifting in color from greens to blues to silver dependent upon light and position from which they are viewed. What everyone can agree upon is the base color is a shining silver.
As an Aspirant is accepted into Clan Maverick they are given the age old rite of passage into the elite fighting force; they must duel the 1st Captain wielding the Chapter Relic Serpent's Tongue.
If an Aspirant is given the opportunity to become a Reborn (Techmarine) they must complete yet another rite. They must travel out into the Void without the aid of their brothers. By what other means they choose to use is at their discretion. There they must battle, loot, raid, steal, or collect the materials needed to forge their very own unique weapons. Once the materials have been gathered the pain staking process of reverse engineering xenos technology begins. Without the understanding and ability to understand the most inner workings of xenos technology a brother can never truly ascend to the higher ranks within Clan Maverick and the Chapter. This process can take months or even years to accomplish but when complete and weapons forged, the battle brother returns to the Chapter with his weapon clutch in victory. A week of celebration begins welcoming their Reborn brother, the Maverick Marines plan a raid where the Reborn can test his weapons and show off his understanding and mastery of reengineered xenos technologies.
Weird Cult
Doctrines and Specialties
Officially, the Maverick Marines are a specialized in close combat and siege warfare in Imperial documents. However, an imbedded Inquisitor reported something far more sinister:
"During my time among the serfs of the Maverick Marines Chapter, I was perplexed at the odd natures and blatant heretical actions they committed in the name of mankind and the God-Emperor. Although many of the battle brothers are clearly insane, from what I cannot be sure of, it is my profound belief that the Chapter hides its true self behind the mask of its cursed founding gene seed. This 'curse', should one call it that, has been obvious since the Chapters creation. It does appear to have affected a majority of its number but equally not the others. Those that are unaffected form the bulwark of its fighting forces leaving those that bare the marks of the curse to their own devices and further still as cannon fodder upon the field of battle. I have witnessed first hand the true might of the Chapter. Entire companies of psykers have been deployed into battle but in the aftermath there is no trace they had been there at all. I have seen special operation forces of battle brothers darken their armor and weapons and seek out a target on the field of battle and rouge mission alike, and again there is no trace of these units when their deed is done. Where they do excel in close combat and siege warfare I cannot help but feel they are more diverse and cleaver than I previous believed. They must hold a secret close to their breast that could rip the Imperium asunder."
(Transmission Intercepted - Transmission Not Sent)
Unofficially, the Maverick Marines specialize in misdirection, subterfuge, and assassination in conjunction to their close combat prowess; utilizing their opponents strengths and turning them to weaknesses. They manage to keep their true numbers hidden from all but the most prying of eyes by using their afflicted brethren as viewing shields. Their hidden strength is comprised of specialized units of psykers and special operations forces that manage to go unnoticed or evade the ever curious eyes of the wider Imperium.
Interactions
Hipsters of Chaos
The mortal enemies of the Maverick Marines. The Chapter actively hunts down these heretics and brutally murders them out of sear annoyance.
House Bellend
House Bellend has a symbiotic relationship with the Maverick Marines and supply them with recruits for their chapter and further Imperial support and supplies the Chapter desperately needs in order to continue their existence within the void. The Rouge Trader house is led by Lord Bellend II the Imperial Governor of Profanus Prime. His son Bellend III has the most interaction with the Chapter in their quest to trade and uncover lost technologies. Due to the similar objectives of the two the Chapter and crew of the Boner Erect are never far behind the other.
Mechanicum
Often strained at best, the Mechanicum desires nothing less than the complete destruction of the Maverick Marines for their techno-heresy. As such, with the exception of the eccentric few Magos and Forgeworlds the Mechanicum at large refuses to join forces with these Space Marines and frequently come to blows.
The Maverick Marines have the utmost respect for the men and women of the Imperial Guard and Imperial Navy and place great value on each of their lives. However, they have a distinct hate and loathing of commissars not sanctioned by the battle brothers themselves. They believe these enforcers are assholes and loathsome beings for brutally and publicly executing members in their charge to 'improve moral'. Commissars under the watch of the Maverick Marines lead from the front and act as rallying points inspiring those under their charge forward to greater feats of bravery and glory. Due to their dislike of these individuals the Chapter refuses to utilizes bolt pistols as they are used only by assholes.
Inquisition/Grey Knights
Almost as despised by the Maverick Marines as the Chapter is despised by the Mechanicum. They are viewed by the Chapter as the greatest threat to humanity and its progress. Many members of the Inquisition and Grey Knights that have crossed their path have gone missing under mysterious and often suspicious circumstances.
Other Chapters
Relations are tenuous at best even under the most dire of circumstances. With the exception of the few other outcast Space Marine Chapters the Maverick Marines must rely on themselves and support of the House of Bellend.
Deathwatch
It is seen as a great honor and privilege to serve within the Deathwatch. The Maverick Marines supply a generous number of their forces to take the oath of the Long Watch. Most of those supplied are drawn from the 1st company or more specialized and stable battle brothers.
Exploits of the Maverick Marines
The Cumasutra Incident
Ol' One Eye, the techpriest accompanying the Rouge Trader Bellend III, uncovered the potential whereabouts of a long lost STC. Held in the clutches of a semi-technologically advanced warlike xenos race, the Rouge Trader inadvertently caused a war by insulting their leader when calling her an 'asshole prick' when she refused to relinquish possession of their prize. With the fleet away on another mission, the Boner Erect sent a distress call of the impending danger to their Rouge Trader and affirmation of uncovering of a STC. A nearby Maverick ship responded deploying a single gang of Thrashers armed with nothing but chain swords and an unquenchable thirst for battle. Two drop pods were deployed into the center of their main city. Accounts by the xenos say that upon their thunderous landing the pods reverberated with a roaring sound and rising pitch of "BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII". As the ramps fell, giant battle hungry warriors charged into the streets finishing their cry "IIIIIIIIIIIIIICH". Though the xenos possessed rocket and projectile technology, their previously overly exaggerated threat level left the Thrashers underwhelmed and at a loss. Angered over the scratches to their newly painted armor they began to attack every structure within sight. So mentally devastating was this to the local populous that within hours the xenos surrendered the STC and the Thrasher Gang was recalled. No casualties resulted from the conflict on either side. The gang vowed that upon returning to the fleet that someone was to receive a righteous boot up the ass for wasting their time to recover an STC for the manufacturing of sex robots.
Battle at Trasnetor
Trasnetor is an Imperial world located on the edge of the Profanus Sector fiercely guarded by the Maverick Marines Chapter and their allies. Led by Warboss Grotz McThunda an Orc Waaagh! had appeared on the doorstep of Trasna Prime, one of the six hive cities on the planet. Led by Screaming Bitch Brathious, the 3rd company of the Maverick Marines made planet fall to reinforce the cities and beat back the green tide. After months of fighting Brathious led a charge deep into the heart of the Waaaagh! where he encountered Big Mek Dakka McThunda and bested him in combat. During their epic duel however, a fragment of Tyranid Hive Fleet Behemoth entered orbit and began assailing the world. Knowing that neither the Imperium nor the Orcs had a chance at defeating this new threat on their own their forces were joined. For an entire year the two unlikely allies drove back the Tyranid forces retaking three of the lost hive cities. With the death of Warboss Grotz McThunda, Big Mek Dakka McThunda took the role of Warboss and counted the Maverick Marines as "Good Zoggin' brudas an' frends!" From that point the Orc Clan McThunda has vowed to not attack any worlds under the protection of the Maverick Marines but instead aid in the protection of their worlds provided they were always on the forefront of a war and that Screaming Bitch Vroom Vroom would pay them a visit from time to time.
Mavericks in the Deathwatch
Davious
Before rising to the rank of True Maverick Daddy and foregoing his old name, Davious followed the path of the Aspirant and quickly rose to a position of prominence. With the blessing of the True Maverick he took the Vow of the Long Watch joining the ranks of the Deathwatch as a Techmarine for over 140 years before returning to his Chapter.
Flight of the Cursed Happenstance
While on route to the Watch Fortress to begin his service to the Deathwatch he insulted the young female 1st Officer Sasha Kromisha. To make amends for his rude behavior he fashioned a master crafted sword blade from a light blue tinted metal the servants of the Maverick Marines mined from the Profanus asteroid belts. The grip was fashioned from a hard redwood that was oddly warm to the touch even in cold environments said to have been taken by Davious from an Eldar Maiden World. The pommel was then fashioned from shining silver and a precious gem. Finally, stamped on the blade in the language spoken by the Maverick Marines:
"Every great river begins with a single drop of water"
The blade was presented to the 1st Officer while eating in the officer's mess. The exchange was looked upon by the other officers with Looked greed and jelousy. Sasha Kromisha broke down in shock and tears and told the Space Marine she had ment no disrespect and her actions were equally to blame. She further continued with a brief tale of The Curse of the Happenstance, and why she had been posted to a ship so cursed. Emotions from the crew came to a peak drawing the attention of several Demonetts. In their jealousy they were overcome by the demons of Slannesh and slaughtered the crew within the mess. Drawing his modified thunderhammers Davious pushed the 1st Officer behind him for protection and battled the demons with all the might and fury he could muster. However, one demon managed to slip past the defenses and lash out at Sasha mortally wounding her before turning back to the Maverick. With the last bit of life Sasha had she launched forward slaying the demonett with the sword crafter by Davious before it could inflict a damaging strike on her savior. At that point the rest of what would later become Talon Squad burst into the room taking the attention of the demons from Davious and the wounded officer. In a desperate effort to save her life he applied a ceranmite paste to the wounds until medics could arrive and see to Sasha's full recovery.
Bugs of Xon
A deathworld locally known as Xon within the Jericho Reach Sector was a forward outpost to monitor the movement of the Tyranid Hive Fleet. Talon Squad was dispatched to aid the Imperial Guard stationed on this remote world and link up with an Inquisitor on the hunt of a supposed ancient and powerful artifact. Upon arrival it was found that the officer in command was not fit for duty and hated by his men. Davious personally saw to the relinquishment of his command and field promotion of Sergeant Kell to oversee the defense of the station. Before long he was tasked with the aid in repair and outfitting tanks and weapons batteries. As the day closed out the first wave of Tyranids arrived. The night was lit with streams of promethium and the screams and popping of bugs. Passing not far above an Imperial flyer wavered and disappeared in the mountains to the south and luckily the opposite direction of the invading xenos. While traveling up the back hill along the crude roads along the cliffs a spore dropped from orbit depositing a Tyranid Tyrant in the path knocking the tank nearly off the end of the cliff. Thinking quickly and with the aid of Jo'Rana of the White Scars, Davious dove into combat beneath the legs of the hulking beast while Jo'Rana distracted it. Throwing all his might into a single blow Davious managed to destabilize the Tyranid leaving it open for Jo'Rana to launch his full weight from the cliff side above sending it over the edge. Claws lashed out and caught hold of Davious dragging him over the edge as well. Determined to die fighting, Davious pummeled the falling Tyranid before latching onto a ledge with his servo arm before falling to his death. He then climbed down the rest of the way and pulped the creature - just to be sure it was really dead and not faking it. Unable to bring himself to rejoin his brothers immediately he charged into the faltering lines of the Imperial Guardsmen. Witnessed by his fellow brothers, the Maverick continued to carve out a sufficient swath of bugs allowing the Guardsmen to reinforce their lines and bring up more supplies before being joined by his squad mates. In a later report submitted by Jo'Rana stated the following:
... Furthermore, Brother Davious of the Maverick Marines Chapter disobeyed direct orders when charged with the duty of retrieval of the Imperial Inquisitor and her Storm Trooper escort by abandoning Talon Squad after battling with a Tyranid Tyrant where he rejoined the Imperial forces at Outpost 465. However, it is with strong recommendation that his actions be commended rather than admonished. If aid had not been rendered to the Imperial lines in that moment, the line would have broken, every Guardsman slaughtered, and the Tyranids would have been at our heels for the entire operation. There is very little doubt within my mind that if his actions had been to follow orders that the mission would have failed...
Suicidal Doc Tavirous
Rescue of Jo'Rana
Captured by a heretic cult, Jo'Rana was taken prisoner and drug behind a convoy of cultist tanks. Fueled by rage Tavirous charged the convoy on bike ahead of Raven Squad. As he neared he threw himself onto the back of the last vehicle of the procession climbing on top. With minimal effort he peeled a hatch open and threw a grenade inside and jumped to the next vehicle. By the time he reached the third vehicle carrying Jo'Rana a turret had marked his progress and opened fire ripping into his right side. Body flooding with combat stimulants Tavirous pulled himself up and took hold of the turret. Pressing his bolter into the viewing ports killing the turret operator and driver halting the tank. The three tanks in the lead formed a circle around the apothecary and rescued Jo'Rana. The quick action of the rest of Raven Squad brought a quick end to the cult forces giving the Maverick Marine the nickname of the Suicide Doc Tavirous, or Suicide for short among his squad mates. In report the Imperial Fist squad leader filed:
"... it was an unbelievable sight to witness, the strength and will of the Emperor seemed to fill his very being. Riding ahead of Raven Squad, Brother Apothecary Tavirous of the Maverick Marines Chapter single handedly took out the three rear tanks of a cultist convoy while attempting to rescue Brother Jo'Rana of the White Scars after his capture. For one that holds the position of healing and medical aid, nothing more can be said for the seemingly suicidal nature of this Battle Brother. I must commend him for his actions I pray I see more heroic deeds done of such caliber or greater before passing from this life..."
Travesty in Korma Hive City
The deployment of Raven Squad to Korma Hive City occurred when contact with the city had been lost. Deployed in the ash wastes their thunderhawk gunship was attacked by an unknown entity causing to crash on the deployed unit. The Blood Drinker assault marine activated his jump pack which promptly malfunctioned sending the battle brother headfirst into the outer wall of the city with such force it was a wonder he was still alive. Acting quickly, Tavirous deployed the use of his Chapter's healing shivs saving the life of the Blood Drinker through repeated stabbings. The Suicidal Doc continued to aid the squad as they walked into several traps and received several wounds in the ensuing battles.