40K Superheroes

A while back, a friend and club mate was sharing a laugh with me at how I'd managed to slip superheroes into yet another game (I believe it was Pirates? I did The Phantom) and he said the one game I'd never manage it was Warhammer 40,000. The comment wasn't intended as a challenge, and 40K in this context referred as much to the setting as it did the specific game, as neither of us had played in years and it was before Kill Team was released; but we were both enamored with the universe still, for all that it offered in terms of setting and background. Again, this wasn't a challenge, but it set wheels spinning in my mind for a few years. 

Fast forward to my making my Kill Team Aesir for Kill Team and 40K, and I found myself contemplating that some of the characters, especially Thor and Valkyrie, actually did work really well as "superheroes" within even the grimdark 40K setting. That said, a team of Space Marine superheroes was a bit dull as a concept, as well not not really gelling in my mind, as the 40K universe has no real "good guys" to speak of, being more shades of terrible than anything else. So how would a superhero team form in the 40K universe? Could it, with how antagonistic every faction is with each other? Well I got to thinking after re-reading Avengers Forever, and came up with this. 

The Avengers 40,000 
In the grim darkness of the far future, there is only war. To many of the inhabitants of the galaxy, this state of existence is accepted as part of life for every living creature. There are a few souls in the vastness, however, for whom the light of hope still flickers, individuals who believe that there is a better future waiting for all. Or perhaps, a better past? Of all the Ordo of the Inquisition, the Ordo Chronos, charged with protecting the time-stream itself, are among the most enigmatic and unknowable. Is time travel possible, beyond warp-travel mishaps, or is there something else happening? Do people and creatures from the ancient past and far future wander the galaxy, pursuing their own agendas? And if they do, what goals could they possibly serve? 

Kang - Ordo Chronos Inquistor 

The man known as Kang has worn many masks in his long life, as Rama-Tut, he ruled ancient Egypt, as Kang the Conqueror, he controlled the galaxy in the 24th century, and once, he led the Avengers themselves through the Destiny War. Weary of ruling his present and failing to conquer his past, Kang turned to the far future for a new challenge. Now in the distant 41st millennium, Kang was dismayed to find humanity waning under the heel of a corpse and aliens more horrific than even the Badoon. Turning to leave, Kang discovered his access to the time-stream blocked by "warp-storms" and other etherium phenomena new to his experience; now stuck, Kang had no choice but to accrue power once again. 
Soon a member of the Ordo Chronos, Kang roamed the galaxy searching for a workable method of time travel that could get him back to his own era. The tragedy of the decaying Empire of Man wore heavy on Kang, who saw no way to alleviate the endless horror, until he remembered his greatest foes and sometimes allies, The Avengers, Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Kang began a search though the galaxy for heroic individuals, assembling a team to combat the darkest threats of the 41st millennium, proving that when they are needed, the heroes will arrive.


Brunhilde - Deathwatch Vanguard Veteran 

Formerly from the Little Sisters Space Marine Chapter, Brunhilde distinguished herself defending nearby systems from the rampages of Necron Tomb Fleets and Genestealer Cultists, quickly coming to the awareness of Watch Fortress Asgard. It wasn't long before Brunhilde's skill with a blade helped her to rise through the ranks of the fearsome Valkyrior, becoming a Veteran Sergeant and often being the first into every fight. As the years of endless conflict wore on, Brunhilde saw more and more alien societies fall to the sword, regardless of their ways or culture, but merely because they weren't human. One day, in the gem-studded ruins of a crystal city, Brunhilde found herself putting down her Xenophase Blade, and taking a seat on the hull of a crashed ship to consider the purpose of her life. It was at this moment that Kang found Brunhilde and offered her another path. 

Ridley - Drukhari Solarite 

Once a feared pirate and gang leader known throughout the Dark City, Ridley earned a reputation for ruthlessness and cunning even among his own kind. Ridley was a notorious gambler, raconteur and daredevil, fleeing debts and leaving a trail of enemies and rivals behind him, knowing that his skill and speed would keep him out of harm's way. This lifestyle came to and end however, when Ridley crossed an infamous Haemonculus known as Kartarirya, whose reach was long down the winding alleys of the Dark City. After a stint of years in Kartarirya's flesh workshop, Ridley was released, warped and monstrous, to find his followers and riches long gone. Seeing, for the first time,the brutality of his race laid bare, Ridley wanted a better way to live. Seeking to free the galaxy from the suffering inflicted by his people, Ridley began an impossible quest, to end the threat of Slaanesh once and for all. It wasn't long before he encountered a mysterious Inquisitor named Kang who wanted to help facilitate his dream.


M'Baku - Imperial Guard Ork Hunter Veteran 

Born on a world that had slid into barbarism and tribalism, M'Baku used his superior strength and cunning to ascend to the leadership of his tribe and become the most feared warrior on the planet; at least, that was, until the Orks came. Crashing out of the sky like angry gods, the Orks laid waste to the primitive humans, and soon only the Jabari village stood, with M'Baku manning the walls, slaying greenskins left and right with swings of a captured choppa. Even the ferocity of M'Baku would have failed however, if not for the timely arrival of the Imperial Guard. The tribes-people were quickly indoctrinated with the Imperial Creed and equipped to fight back against the Orks, M'Baku fast distinguished himself, turning the brutal tactics of the Orks against them. With his war-paint, scavenged armour and blood-drenched choppa, M'Baku quickly gained the nickname "The Man-Ork". After his home world was cleansed, The Man-Ork was transferred to a platoon of Veteran "Ork-Hunters" where he continued to distinguish himself. When requesting Imperial soldiers through his Inquisitorial writ, Kang singled out M'Baku, knowing that the brutality of The Man-Ork would be a valuable asset. 

Gue'vesa Shas'o Mar'Vell - Tau Commander

Carol Danvers was a celebrated Ace Pilot in the Imperial Navy for years before her squadron was sent against the emergent Tau Empire on the Western fringe. Despite her experience and skills, Danvers was outmatched by the more technologically advanced Tau spacecraft, and was shot down, though not before she made an account of herself. Waking up in a Tau medical centre, tended to by humans and aliens loyal to the cause of the Greater Good, Carol started her journey towards becoming Gue'vesa Shas'o Mar'Vell. After some 'friendly' deprogramming, Danvers enrolled in the Air Caste Gue'vesa and began to progress up the ranks of pilot once again, quickly gaining accolades and the Tau name "Mar'Vell", meaning "War Bird" in translation. Despite her skill and record, Danvers had a slow rise to a senior position due to her habit of resorting to more human tactics, like the use of close combat weapons and cased ammunition, which no amount of "education" seemed to be able to cure her of. It was this combination of idealism and battle-hunger that made Kang track Danvers down and recruit Mar'Vell to his cause.