|
Hi,
I've been working on this over the last couple of days trying to add some history for my chapter, any help will be welcome.
Thanks.
Codex: Centurions of Ravenna
Origins:
In late M38 an Astartes frigate from the Iron Snakes, escorting Rouge Trader Victore Matzu during his exploration of the southern fringes of the galaxy, came across a planet that according to imperial archives was called Ravenna. Duly a Thunderhawk was launched to investigate the planet. Upon the marines arrival, they found the planet to be inhabited by humans that had reverted back to a pre-feudal agricultural state. On the recommendation from Capt. Hubrin, the delegation from the Departmento Munitorium forwarded a request to the High Lords that the populace could be used to establish a military presence to protect the newly rediscovered sector. The captain was impressed with the hardiness and martial bearing of its inhabitants and suggested that they would make excellent aspirants. Years passed before permission was received to begin the selection. Meanwhile the exploration of the fringes continued with several more systems being discovered. Accompanying the Rouge Trader fleet were several hundred Ravennites trained by both the Iron Snakes and Munitorium training officers adding to their military strength and used as occupying forces and serfs. As soon as permission was received, several thousand men, including some of those already trained, were embarked on vessels bound for Terra to begin the process of creating a new chapter. Decades passed as the chapter was formed and prepared. A series of combat trials alongside the Mentors had shown that the new marines were ready to take their place among the honored rolls of the Adeptus Astartes. In a grand ceremony performed on the grounds of the Imperial Palace on Terra the chapter was given the title Centurions of Ravenna, with the colors of steel and red and a badge of a winged lightning bolt. Marius Guardio, a native of Ravenna who stood above his peers as a natural leader and had shown an exceptional talent in the art of war, was named Chapter Master. On their return to Ravenna the chapter built its fortress-monastery into the Hadrian mountains along the southeastern coast of Misenentis and constructed a star fort in orbit to station its fleet. The administration of the planet as well as its leadership was left in the hands of the people as it was against tradition that any warrior, no matter how powerful, should hold such an office. With their homeworld secured, the Centurions dispatched several strike forces to help consolidate the other systems and planets already discovered by Victore Matzu. Along with Ravenna, four other planets were put under the protection of the Centurions: Misenum, Noricum, Pannonia and Galatia.
Homeworld:
Ravenna is a medium sized planet, slightly larger than Terra. It is the only habitable planet of three in the system also named Ravenna. The planet was first settled during the Dark Age of Technology when humanity spread across the stars. During the Age of Strife the population erupted into civil war lasting several generations. When it was over the technology that had helped to sustain them was lost and they devolved into sustenance farmers to survive. Its surface is mostly water with four continent sized island, located along the equatorial plane of the planet. On the largest continent a series of mountain ranges stretch along the southeastern coast while the rest is fertile plains. The other land masses have fairly even topography which produce vast amount of food stuffs. The people of Ravenna are divided into four tribes each occupying a continent who tend to their fields and farms most of the standard year but become formidable warriors if ever their lands are threatened by rival tribes or invaders from beyond. It is known that the planet had suffered an invasion in the past from orks as depicted in their frescos.
Organization:
At its founding, the chapter was organized along codex standards but have changed considerably during the intervening years. Although it still retains 10 companies, their make-up has changed due to the traditions of the warriors of Ravenna. The 1st Company is slightly larger than a codex company to reflect their status as being the premier unit in the chapter and includes bike squadrons permanently attached . The 2nd thru 7th companies contain the standard types of squads, except jump pack equipped assault squads, and also have scout squads. The 8th and 9th companies have been entirely mounted on bikes to provide a mobile strike force to exploit a break in the enemy lines or attack the flank. The10th, normally the scout company, has been turned into a self contained battle group containing infantry, armored vehicles and support weapons. Being a relatively new chapter it posses few terminator suits, jump packs and dreadnoughts. Those it posses are usually assigned to the Chapter masters household or assigned to a company that has need of them.
Combat Doctrine:
The Centurions are basically an infantry force, every tactic and piece of equipment is geared toward delivering the marines into the heart of the battle. All aspects of warfare, from planetary assaults to siege warfare, are diligently practiced by the chapter, thus every marine is well versed in the rites of war. The marines are instilled with the doctrine of fighting as part of a team. Each one must be able to assume any position in the squad and if necessary outside the squad. This creates a highly trained force able to handle any situation they might find themselves in. Although individuals rise above and become great men they always consider themselves part of a unit and share the glory with their fellow marines.
Geneseed:
The geneseed for the creation of the chapter first came from Ultramarine stock. Subsequent geneseed for new aspirants have come from the medicae vaults of the Centurions themselves. The geneseed has not suffered any type of degeneration.
Beliefs:
The Centurions revere the Emperor as the greatest man who as ever lived. Before each battle, the Centurions set up an alter tent where offerings are made by the marines to honor the Emperor. Inside this altar, alongside holo images of the Emperor, there are battle standards and trophies taken from the enemy.
Battlecry:
The Centurions have no battlecry.
Armory:
The armory of the Centurions is located deep in the Hadrian Mountains in bunkers and garages. It is here that all vehicles of the chapter , except for those deployed with the active companies, are stored and maintained until it is time to dispatch them to war. Alongside this armored might, the chapters aircraft are located in underground hangers. It is here that the Trojans, Thunderhawks, Greyhawks and Talons are kept in a high state of readiness. The equipment and vehicles used by the Centurions is the same as those of any other chapters except for some specifically built vehicles .
Armory:
3 Damocles, 129 Rhinos, 38 Razorbacks,
16 Whirlwinds, 17 Vindicators, 12 Hyperios,
25 Predator Destructors, 17 Predator Annihilators,
2 Land Raider Prometheus, 14 Land Raiders, 3 Land Raider Crusaders,
148 Combat Bikes, 26 Attack Bikes, 59 Scout Bikes,
23 Land Speeders, 16 Land Speeder Tornadoes, 14 Land Speeder Typhoons.
Nova Ferrum Astartes Base:
2 Titus Battle Barges, 2 Gauntlet Assault Barges,
1 Interceptor Lance Barges,
3 Pilum Tactical Transport Cruisers, 8 Navarch Strike Cruisers,
4 Nova Frigates, 17 Gladius Frigates,
9 Hunter Destroyers,
16 Trojan Heavy Transports,
51 Thunderhawk Gunships,
33 Talon Tactical Transports,
27 Greyhawk Fighters.
Foederati Organization:
Each generation the Chapter Master of the Centurions instructs the Imperial Governors, of the five planets under his protection, to call up men for military service. All levies are then transported to Ravenna to begin the selection process of where the men will be posted. Those who show an exceptional level of fitness and mental fortitude will be inducted into the Chapter while the others will either be assigned to the Planetary Defense Force or the Foederati.
The PDF along with the Foederati will be organized on Ravenna by training Sergeants of the chapter. Once the units have reached a high level of proficiency they will be then be assigned to their stations. The PDF will garrison Misenum, Noricum, Pannonia and Galatia while the Foederati will be posted to the two star forts and the Chapters fortress-monastery on Ravenna.
The reason this is done is to insure that the military forces of the Imperial planets owe their loyalty to the emperor rather than the Imperial Governor. Every military aspect is controlled by the Centurions while the civilian governments are run by administrators.
The Foederati are crusading regiments. Every time the majority or entire chapter is dispatched to war, the foederati are also taken to guard the supply routes and provide an additional force to either garrison a conquered planet or fight along side the Centurions. As can be imagined the foederati are well trained and led by their commanders, usually a marine captain with decades of war experience.
|
It is difficult to overstrech an ork waagh, though, so I suppose you will have to change the result of Cannae. You could still keep the other 2 battles as they were (2-4 companies trashed).
