Creating a Space Marine Chapter

MUSTERING

Mustering a Space Marine chapter normally requires the following:

• A level 9 system (or a lvl 8 at +50% cost or lvl at +100% cost).
• 100 MT (can be split over several payments).

Control of Erioch allows the creation of 1 Chapter at half cost (for this purpose count Erioch as a lvl 9 system).

The following is also required, but more of a role-playing requirement:

• Access to a full template set for Astartes equipment
• Access to sufficient gene-seed for the creation of at least 1000 Astartes
• Access to special facilities the allow the cultivation and deployment of gene-seed
• Access to instructors, learning machines, and training facilities

Erioch has the necessary facilities and gene-seed, but not all the templates (but there is sufficient equipment at hand). By training first a batch of 100, then the full thousand, there will be sufficient instructors and NCOs after a double cycle.

Creating a Space Marine usually takes at least 4 years (12 rounds), and often as long as 5-6. At least a year, frequently longer, is spent as Space Marine Scout.

It is technically possible to create Marines in as little as a year, but the quality will be worse, and many will die or mutate as their bodies cannot handle the stress of the accelerated transformation.

GENE-SEED

Gene-seed mature inside the fully developed Astartes. After about 5 years, the neck gland has matured and can be removed (routine surgery), after 10 years the chest gland is mature and can be operated out (a little more complicated, but nothing dangerous). 

Taking out the glands before they are mature risk ruining them completely. At best a few organs can be harvested from them. Fully mature glands can become the source of sufficient organs for several new recruits. On average about 2 organs per gland (for 4 per marine). Special cloning techniques can increase the yield, but risk weakening the final product. Given the loss rate of neophytes (trainees) and scouts, about half of those implanted survive to become marines. So each dead marine can give life to 2 new marines (barring description of the glands).

Leaving the glands in longer has no added benefit - on paper. But all Astartes legends indicate that the glands absorb some of the greatness of the Marine that carries them. Thus, glands are rarely removed before the death of the Marine. The only time this is done is when a chapter is greatly weakened and must be quickly brought up to strength, and even then it's done reluctantly.

GM Note: It's not widely known that the Prophet created his legions using the accelerated growth and cloning processes. If it was known, "purebred" Legionaries (like the Sons) would probably look down on those Marines as second-rate. Well the Sons already look down on everyone else, since they are the "True Sons," but if they knew about the processes used, they'd think even less of the Prophets other legionnaires :D

Game effects: An Astartes PC (or key NPC), raised from "true stock," gains a +1 bonus to any characteristic, and starts with a number of bonus XP as determined by the GM. The greater the legacy, the greater the boost. The good quality of the transformation process could also provide additional bonuses, at the GM's discretion.