Download the blank Chapter Founding Entry Form in PDF format here.

This competition promoted in depth characterisation of your armies, using stories and theme to build up good backgrounds to make each Chapter unique. While this was not neccessarily a miniature painting competition (as the entry form allows you to illustrate Marines and Terminators ) if entrants felt like submitting a 3D example of their original chapter, this went further to demonstrate their intention.

Results of the competition were as follows:

1st Place :: Mark Dewis - Jade Warriors:
2nd Place :: Stefan Morton - Dorns Ghosts:
3rd Place :: Rob Maver - Emperors Shadows:
Commended Entry :: Mathew Clifford-: Paladins of Exodus:

1st place - Mark Dewis - Jade Warriors

Home World

Xen, mysterious home of the Xen Monks, and Shin Assassins. using high technology. Planet covered with mountain Islands, Orbiting a green sun.

Beliefs

Death before dishonour, Worship the Emperor, honour the Ancestors, Obey the Taisho (Chapter Leader). The Jade Warriors are mainly a Codex Astartes Chapter, but Chaplain functions are combined with Librarians in "Brother-Monks".

Gene Seed

White Scars (Chapter Founder an Initiate of the White Scars Chapter)

Combat Doctorine

Strike first!, strike harder!. The Jade Warriors are specialists in Drop-Pod operations. Their Homeworld has few areas suited for vehicular training, so few bikes are used. Ninja Scouts are specialists of their feild in contrast to Codex Astartes Chapters, not the trainees. The Jade Warriors 7th Company is the recruit Company.

Battle Cry

BANZAI!

Judges Comments

The detail that went into the design of the theme, symbols, and fully painted models provided were quite outstanding. This is a thorough representation of a well founded idea. The Japanese theme is carried through the Chapter Markings, Company names, weaponry, history, and colour themes. The total image of the chapter these provided pushed it above all the other entries, and was awarded (we think) its rightful position. Well done Mark Dewis!

2nd Place - Stefan Morton - Dorns Ghosts

Dorn's Ghosts are a reasonably mysterious off-shoot from the Imperial Fists. A fleet based Chapter, much like the Black Templars, this small and elite force of City-fighting experts infiltrate ahead to make stunning surgical strikes on the enemy.

Vehicles are rarely used by this Chapter as they are not considered to have enough firepower or armour to justify their lack of infiltration ability. The Chapter also does not use Jumpacks, Librarians or Chaplains, Tactical Dreadnought Armour or ally with Inquisitorial forces.

Judges Comments

This entry made it much harder to choose the winner. The amount of effort that went into the Entry form alone was amazing, and its worth the downloading the whole huge picture just to see what we are talking about. Just try and pick the differences on this sample marine on the left. Amongst other things, the bolter is now an older variant (miniature wise apparently dating back to the good old "Rogue Trader" days). The miniatures handed in with this entry were also a key factor in this placing. The neat, subtle and dark colour scheme was very effective, along with the fantastic weapon conversions (like the drum fed Heavy Bolter). Its a pity the entry form wasn't also coloured to help illustrate the huge amount of work gone into this army concept, but it is none-the-less very impressive!

3rd Place - Rob Maver - Emperors Shadows

From the Astroid Gladimus, the Emperors Shadows are one of the more compassionate Space Marine Chapters of the Astartes. They believe every Imperial Servant is of equal importance in the Emperors vision, and are against the uneccessary waste of human life. The Emperors Shadows strike hard from the shadows with the full force of their might, leaving nothing behind to work against them.

Judges Comments

The simple and elegant design concepts used in founding this Chapter marks this one out from the sometimes overly complex themes squeezed into a self made chapter. This Chapter has a nice feel of a standard human Infantry Army, with tactical support offered by divisions of specialist companies. A Soviet "Red Army" feel comes to mind, reading over this nicely illustrated entry.

Commended Entry - Matt Clifford - Paladins of Exodus

The homeworld of the Paladins of Exodus is Exodus Secundus, a former penal colony now turned feral. The Chapter is currently undertaking a 100 year Crusade in repentance of engaging Imperial Troops suspected of spying on the Chapters traditions. They are a secretive and quiet Chapter, some times thought of as acting in an unorthodox manner, though the Chapter Organisation is directed by the Codex Astartes.

The Chapter is currently under-strength due to a major Chaos incursion into their homeland, and a mass recruitment drive sees more scouts in the Chapter than ever before.

Judges Comments

This is simply a beautifully presented entry form. The illustration is top notch, and the colour themes work exceptionally well together. It gives a nice round veiw of the combat doctorine and Chapter beliefs, incorperating interesting elements form the Chapters background history, but leaving enough unsaid to keep you guessing on some of the finer points.

Those who are familiar with our early colonial history will no doubt recognise some of those unsavoury names as notorious Bush Rangers! This outside element begs more questions of their history from what is hinted at in the short blurb space allowed by the form. This is fantastic work, and though it didn't get a final placing, is definately worth showing off.

Matt Clifford answered some questions about this army after it was entered in the Tasmanian State Championships. For more information and a gallery of the units check here.