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Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2003 12:30 am
Posts: 939
Location: University of Essex, Colchester, UK (soon to be Brighton, Sussex, UK)
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hello all,
Sometimes one gets bored and instead of studying finance decides to work on the background of his chapter. In this case I present you wilth the background of each individual unit of a company (name to decide) of my chapter (the Polar Marines).
They are a strictly NON codex army, fielding units that rarely correspond to the 10-man squads of the codex astartes, fielding more units instead (6 tacticals, 3 assault, 3 devastators). The organigram of the companies will be explored later. Right now here comes a desciprion of all the units in the company.
Names for the company appreciated. 10 points for the one that getswhere I got the inspiration for each squad 
Traits used:
- Honour your weargear
- Cleanse and purify
UNITS IN THE .......... COMPANY OF THE POLAR STARS
FIRE ELEMENT (Assault)
Aries
The Aries Squad is a rash unit of very fierce warriors. They tend to be quite hot-headed and sometimes think that they know best than the HQ, so most of the time they are accompanied by a chaplain to discipline their temper (and boost their aggressiveness!!). Aggressive in their natures, they tend to include the youngest members of the assault units. They are likely to take risks and will usually feel: "I know best". This has caused some disastrous actions by the Arians, even if more usually than not they achieve their ends, compensating their boldness with sheer brutality in hand to hand combat.
--> Assault Squad (8). Veteran Sgt with PF. Always deploys using jump packs. (or as veterans with Furious charge if deployed from a drop pod)
Leo
Assault Squad composed by more experienced members than those of the Aries squad. They have pride in their veteran-ness and usually look down on the more rash Arians. They can become quite touchy if the Arians achieved more than them in the battlefield, being proud as they are. An efficient, fierce and loyal unit of the chapter, they will do as ordered and do it efficiently. There is an ongoing rivalry between the Arians and the Leos. They are pretty much tied down, with the Leos being more experienced and skilled warriors, while the Arians compensate for that with sheer aggressiveness.
The Leos tend to be quite bold and flamboyant, but with a good mood and attitude as long as you accept their veterancy and praise their achievements. A good instructor unit for new recruits, they have no problems teaching the neophytes the art of war. They are well liked among the scouts for those reasons, even if sometimes the tales of some of the leos about past campaigns and glory can upset a little bit some of the most impatient recruits. Those recruits tend to end up in the Aries Squad.
--> Assault Squad (6-8). Veteran Sgt with PF.
Sagittarius
Even if they are part of the assault squad contingent company, the Sagittarius squad tends to operate more as an infiltrator or drop pod-ed unit than as jump pack assault squad. To operate to their maximum efficiency the unit seems to need to operate on its own, with little or no direction from the HQ. They are respurceful while operating on enemy territory and have an eye to select the best places where to ambush the enemy. The Sagittarians only problem seems to be that their free standing missions have left them with some lack of tact when voicing their concerns about a potential battle plan or the performance of a fellow unit. If those comments are not positive they can be quite harsh, and some of the members of other squads dislike them for that, even if those concerns have saved the lives of several scores of marines since they are well thought and accurate.
The Sagittarians learn fast and are specially appreciated for their information accuracy and for marking the perfect moment for the marine assault. They seem to have an intuition to determine the perfect moment to attack, moving in position and activating the signaling devices to mark the spot for the terminators and drop pod marines to land on even if they have been operating alone in enemy territory for weeks devoid of any orders or knowledge on when the assault moment would be.
--> Veteran infiltrator squad (8) prepared for hand to hand. Veteran Sergeant with PF. As an alternative, small assault squad (6) with flamers.
EARTH ELEMENT (Devastators)
Taurus
The members of the Taurus Squad have a patient, grounded and reliable behavior. They are the most veteran unit among the devastator squads, and can be trusted to carry things through with absolute care. A solid and reliable unit, their missile launchers have wrecked countless enemy armored vehicles and enemies. They take a direct and practical approach to their mission, and their efficiency overrides that of other devastator squads in the chapter by a good 22%.
The Tauruses are cautious in their approach to matters. And trust their fellow marines to protect them in those critical second that it takes to wreck the enemy when standing in the open. However, their stubbornness in achieving their objectives is sometimes a liability, not wanting to leave their firing position until they have destroyed their target.
--> Devastator squad (6). 3-4 ML and tank hunter or infiltrate skill (Honour your wargear). The ?veteran sgt? of the unit is a techmarine with a signum.
Virgo
In fierce competition with the Taurus Squad for the most efficient tank killer unit in the company, we find the Virgo Squad. The Virgos take an other approach to matters. Instead of learning by doing as the Tauruses do, the Virgos try to get as much information from the enemy vehicles as they can, studying their design searching from weak spots that can later be exploited in the battlefield. The Virgos are methodical, precise, and are attracted to only that knowledge that can be applied usefully in their mission, not for gaining knowledge for knowledge?s sakes (only heretics do that). Only practical knowledge has value to them but they have an amazing range of it and most of the time act as instructors for new recruits in missile class. They will happily share the information they discover with anyone (even if somewhat reluctantly with the Tauruses) since it confirms their own usefulness in the world. Their tank-killing ratio excels the average marine score by a good 17% but the Virgos still want to raise it further and compete with the Tauruses for the honor of most destroyed number of vehicles.
--> Devastator Squad. (6) 3 ML. Tank hunter or Infiltrate skill (optional)
Capricorn
The third devastator unit of the company is the Capricorn Squad. A determined, careful, cautious in their job and disciplined squad, they are somewhat more versatile than the other two units, taking a number of diverse heavy weapons among the company?s armory while their devastator companions favor the missile launcher over any other armament option. Slightly lager than the other two devastator units, the Capricorns tend to operate as a firebase for the tactical units, providing sheer firepower to the battle line more than specialized sniping skills. They are perfectly able to deal with tanks if that is what the mission needs, but most of the time they favor the sacred heavy bolter over the missile launcher used by their companions.
--> Devastator Squad (8). 3-4 heavy weapons (ML or HB). Infiltration skill (optional).
AIR ELEMENT (Tactical)
Gemini
The Gemini Squad is a standard tactical unit, with the ability to change their behavior from mission to mission and battlefield to battlefield, as any tactical unit that deserves that name should do. The Gemini squad members tend to be witty, versatile, adaptable and quick to react to changing circumstances and they are capable of tackling almost anything.
--> Tactical Squad (8-10). 2 plasmas or a plasma and a ML. Veteran Sgt with PF or PW. Rhino.
Libra
The Libra is another Tactical Squad. They are very adaptable, even more than the Gemini Squad, but tend to operate in a single role for a certain battle as opposed to the Geminisians, that are likely to take on several roles during the course of an engagement. The Librans are a very united tactical squad; they act as a whole, without heroes among them. For them, what is important is the performance of the unit as a whole, not individual prowess. They rely in their companions to achieve their objectives, something some squads like the Aries or the Leo, more aggressive, individualistic or concerned about their individual status among their peers do not seem to grasp well enough. They are an efficient unit, though, and well respected for their performance under the heat of battle.
--> Tactical unit (8-10). NO veteran sergeant. Rhino. 2 plasma weapons (if they are expected to be on the move) or a plasma and a ML. Even 2 ML are an option if more firepower is needed in the firebase (selected as devise with 2 ML, since the Taurus and Virgo squads are elites due to the trait)
Aquarius
The Aquarius Squad is supple as its element. It is a tactical unit, but one that tends to operate with the Sagittarius squad more than with the other tactical units of the company. This is due to the fact that they are at their full potential when operating independently. They are very faithful and supportive in their special relationship with the Sagittarians, providing fire support for the more close combat oriented assault unit. They are specially skilled at taking information while scouting, processing all the numbers to see the big picture. The Aquarians are totally dedicated at being an unconventional unit, and even when operating in the firebase of the battle, they tend to favor special weapons over heavy weaponry, not caring at all about the opinions that other marines can have from their practices.
--> Tactical or veteran (command) squad (8-10). 1-2 plasma guns. Infiltrate skill (if command). Veteran Sgt (optional)
WATER ELEMENT (Tactical)
Cancer
The Cancer Squad is an other of the tactical units of the company. The Cancerians are intuitive, imaginative and resourceful and care a lot for the well being of their fellow marines. They are cautious about not giving the enemy any openings to exploit in their performance, something that the Leos (more concerned with their pride) or the Geminisians are likely to disregard in order to achieve their targets. As such, they are usually found directing the firebase of the chapter and protecting the smaller devastator squads from enemy assaults. They are liked for their sacrifice of more glory for the greater performance of the company as a whole and are sometimes regarded as a kind of protective father by other units operating under their protection. The Cancerians are inherently conservative in their outlook and opinions on how a firebase should operate according to the Codex Astartes, but this does not get in the way of initiating change where they deem it as being necessary.
-->Firebase tactical squad (7-10). Plasma and ML. Veteran sgt with PW (optional)
Scorpio
One of the most somber units in the company is the Scorpion Tactical Squad. Their adherence to the chaplain doctrine is sometimes uncomfortable even for their fellow Astartes. They defend the Rites of Hate with such passion that they are regarded as a kind of quasi-chaplains by their company members. Nobody doubts that if Chaplain Marcellus was to become a battle casualty, Sergus, the sergeant of the Scorpios would become its successor.
Their complete dedication to the Rites of Battle and knowledge of the chapter?s doctrine means the Scorpios have incredible personal magnetism. This causes some of their brothers to search for their counsel in issues that trouble their minds since they are more accessible than Marcellus. The Scorpios give counsel, and even if completely loyal to their fellow space marines, they are never above the issue of using the information they have gained in those confidences to gain power in the company in the form of suggesting unit placements and deployments to Marcellus himself, one of the most influential members of the company. They do that in order to achieve a preferential position in the deployment of the company in the field of battle, ensuring that their location will favor them in slaying as many heretics and xenos as possible. They rejoice in the carnage in the name of the founding father, the Emperor. They favor highly painful weapons in this regard, preferring hand to hand combat or short range firefights than stances in the firebase killing the enemy at a distance. They want to be able to spit into the enemy?s eye when they slay, mangle or burn him as the contamination of the universe that he is.
--> Tactical or command Squad (6-10). They favor flamers, melta guns and heavy bolters, but can use plasmas as needed (burn heretic, burn!!). Veteran Sergeant with PW (a croxius) (optional). Rhino (optional).
Pisces
The Pisces squad is the twelfth and last unit of the company. They are a standard tactical unit, able to deal with most circumstances efficiently. Their most prominent characteristic is their care for the well being of their comrades. In that sense, they sometimes act as a kind of paramedics on the battlefield when an Apothecary is not near to help a fallen comrade. A lot of their companions still fight in the name of the Emperor thanks to their attentions in the heat of battle. All of them wear the sacred helix of the apothecaries in their right knee.
--> Regular tactical unit when it comes to the rules. (6-10? if 6 it represent that some of them are carrying a fellow wounded marine to the apothecarion  )
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And that is all... for now I am still developing the rest of the fluff for the HQ and stuff, but I hope you liked it. 
Health and sixes,
Xavi
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Commanding legions forward while sitting in a nice armchair.
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