@nightbug08 That's True! I Own A Blood Angels Successor Chaptermaster (adopted Alongside A Second Captain)

@nightbug08 That's true! I own a Blood Angels Successor Chaptermaster (adopted alongside a Second Captain) and a lovely Lamenter I rescued from a Space Hulk! They're among the most difficult to take care of, but once you earn their trust, you'll never find a more loyal space marine.

They're incredibly low maintenance. Soft spoken, emotional, honest, disciplined, clean, organized and startlingly resourceful, these Marines seem like the perfect match for anyone looking for a first time Astartes, but heads up! Your life will irrevocably change. Don't be discouraged by what I'm about to tell you, but I'm an educator first and I wouldn't put you or your Lamenter in a bad situation.

You will have to change everything. Or, there's a very real risk of injury, maybe even death.

There's something in their pedigree that makes them...different. Other Astartes are mistrustful at best, outright hostile at worst. You can't take a Lamenter to the sparring yard, and training cages should be booked beforehand. Lamenters are quite tame, but do keep in mind that they are subject to the same Prion disease as their parent chapter! It's best to keep them calm and happy as often as you can--a Herculean effort sometimes given their abnormally high melancholy!

Of course, I'll admit that their cousins have a good reason, and this is where the death part comes in. Misfortune sticks to them like flour to a wet cat, and this bleeds over to those around them. I make light of this, but had to move to the city after I crashed my car, lost my job and nearly got hit with a falling piano all in the same day! Even now, I take very few risks, though the occasional banana peel appears behind me at the bus stop.

I'm fortunate to have the resources for frequent visits to the Apothecary. My poor baby was was mauled by an unsupervised Minotaur just yesterday--no one got hurt too badly, but I've been reading him John Steinbeck books while he recovers!

I can't tell you how worth it he has been. I've never owned a marine that was so loving and loyal, and he certainly does his part to protect me from the strange bouts of woe that plague me like magpies to my box of french fries!

I'm actually working on getting him registered as a service Marine--for both our benefit. If you feel up to the challenge, your Lamenter will be a marine for life!

Alright I might need some help with this one. I found the scraggliest looking astartes hiding in my shed just now (we've been having a lot of snow so I'm not surprised). I got them in the garage at least and started checking for chaos icons, but I'm not sure I recognize the poor little guy coloring? He's mostly yellow with black and white checkerboards on the pauldrons?

Gotta try and get the lil guy cleaned up and fed, he seems young or underweight or something.

rat yuri spotted at the chicago rat hole shrine!!!

I ask your humble opinion on space marine expert, would you say the deathwatch is distinct enough to consider it's own breed? Or that it's more like traits that can be selected for in any breed of chapter? And is there any special care the astartes of the long vigil require?

Ooo I love this question! The answer might surprise you (it certainly surprised me!)

Deathwatch is actually a form of training pedigree! Historically, Deathwatch was a group of highly efficient handlers that prioritized certain traits across a wide variety of breeds, and trained them to the highest possible standard in the field of hunting and killing Xenos! A friend of mine is a Deathwatch testing official, and I had the honor of watching a few of these tests, and let me tell you that they are ruthless! I would call them harsh for the days and times, but I can respect their methods--they certainly get results!

So, no, Deathwatch isn't a "breed" but they are all pitted against the same standards of strength, tracking, endurance, gene seed purity and so on. You're very lucky to have one! Make sure to check his papers before you go shouting that from the rooftops, though! Deathwatch pedigree is taken very seriously, and I'd hate for you to get in trouble!

As for long vigil care, encouragement is key. Keep him inspired and appreciated, but take care not to smother him--they do have their pride! You should see great results, and you and your Marine will go wonderful places!

But aren’t Ultra marines blue? He’s wearing silver and has this weird spear thingy

Hobbies are critical to space marine health, and boy howdy your little ULTRAMARINE from ULTRAMAR has some neat pastimes! I'm a highly qualified individual and I assure you! That's Guilliman's boy! I guarantee it!!!!!

It's finally here!

With permission from the administratum, I've collaborated with Ultramar Civitas Press, Dominus House of Design, and a number of individuals who want to remain nameless, I'm proud to present the Ultima Spring/Summer Collection! Thousands of hours have gone into this project, and I'm not sure how I've managed to keep my mouth shut about it this long! Special thanks to Agriworld 662779-8 for supplying all of our ethically harvested, 100% natural and handmade materials!

Also thanks to Brother-Sergeant Cassius Salican for holding the pose while I sketched! Doesn't he look lovely?

Aside from the obvious difference of being better at protecting me from Xenos, how does deathwatch affect my marine? I want to know if it’s good for me (I have a Lamenter I hold dear)

Great question! Most marines are amazing for Xenos prevention, control and trophy hunting, but the Deathwatch can't be beat! I'm also preparing a seminar for the care of Lamenters, which I'm sure you'll enjoy when I post highlights!

Aside from the glowing pros, there are some aspects of Deathwatch training that I consider cons.

It's very stringent, sometimes harsh. It's also a very prestigious clique that requires plenty of funding (the Administratum actually gives out grants, but don't tell them I said that!) Not to mention, I own two Blood Angels Successors and one Lamenter, and marines that heavily rely on their brothers may feel isolated and lonely. For Blood Angels, this can have negative consequences and even aggravate symptoms of Prion disease. In others, there is a chance of heightened aggression, restlessness, separation-anxiety and self-isolation as they reintegrate into more domestic assignments.

In a more positive light, I've seen some incredibly difficult marines flourish under Deathwatch, even marines with "problematic behavior." Something about the routine and a clear direction to channel any pent-up aggression just makes them come alive!

If you're willing to put in the months of 24/7 training, Deathwatch may be an excellent opportunity to join a historic community! The people there are wonderful, and they never turn away a marine that shows the spark for gunning down the alien threats of the galaxy!