The WarriorPope of New Avalon - Original Song

[@jackmurray302]

The time when "The pope, how many divisions has he got?" was a question of strategic importance.

[@npswm1314]

Well the Knights of the Order of New Avalon are said to be equivalent to a Star League Battalion if i remember correctly.

[@poke548]

@@npswm1314 The Knights Defensor have four chapterhouses, each with 1-2 battalions.

[@npswm1314]

@@poke548 Ok thats a lot.

[@Scriptedviolince]

@@npswm1314 not really, they're organized like fairly straightforward Davion combined arms Battalions.

[@jamesharding3459]

Back when the Papal States were a thing, quite a lot of them. Although, I don't think they called their units divisions.

[@BladeLigerV]

Remember, the Pope in the world of Battletech does in fact ride into battle in his own customized battlemech.

[@KillerOrca]

That’s what the art here depicts

[@heiroftheredeemer2828]

@@KillerOrca The popemobile

[@twojstarypijany3182]

@@heiroftheredeemer2828 In Battletech, the Pope assasinates you

[@aconcernedcommissar6261]

Someone shoots the pope Our Universe: why would you shoot the pope? Battletech universe: why would you shoot at the pope?!

[@KillerOrca]

@@aconcernedcommissar6261 "Because he was shooting at us first!" (Nearby building takes an AC-20 round and collapses)

[@BlackWolf1589]

If you're not going to the Church The Church shall come to you AMEN

[@maxiwarhammer]

Heretic repent themselves when the church is in geostationary orbit above them

[@TALI_KAEOS]

AMEN

[@commanderstorm8874]

Just like the imperator titan

[@grundleplithtorquesdottir9273]

wait this isn't the Titanicus comments section...

[@panzerkampfwagenvdauphine6489]

@@maxiwarhammer either that or is as tall as a sky scrapper and has more weaponry than an emperor class battleship strapped to it

[@fabulousimcatbulous690]

Soldier : SIR WE NEED IMMEDIATE FIRE SUPPORT! Commander : Dont worry soldier, the priest is on the way. The Priest :

[@bthsr7113]

POPE

[@quartiermeisterf9875]

@@bthsr7113 cristianity is confusing

[@bthsr7113]

@@quartiermeisterf9875 Not that confusing. Pope is the top of the organization. You can find a priest in a podunk town.

[@ryantomer4126]

Me a 40kk refugee: This reminds me of two things

[@hammer1349]

Not to be confused with the M7 Priest artillery from WW2

[@Vaultmon]

What makes this character even more awesome is that they were submitted to the lore from the Kickstarter. Thats right. Fan Submitted Content became canon.

[@Ashley-the-fox]

They respect there fans unlike a certain company cough cough fuck GW

[@GhostBear3067]

@@Ashley-the-fox that is a recent development, they have had their own instances of backlash against fan content but not nearly as much as Games Workshop. The biggest incident that comes to mind is some controversy regarding the fate of the Eridani Light Horse.

[@midrovar5811]

game workshop should learn with battletech looking at kitten

[@Ashley-the-fox]

@@GhostBear3067 yes but FUCK GW

[@GhostBear3067]

@@midrovar5811 they could also learn how to do a proper retcon. *looks at Battletech Animated Series*

[@Phoenix8492]

It has taken me a while to get the meaning of “for we are the true Sword of Light” The Sword of Light is a _Draconis Combine_ military unit. This song is calling them false, that the Knights Defensor are the true swords of the light-remember also what the Davion symbol is.

[@GhostBear3067]

Not only that the Sword of Light REGIMENTS (yes, PLURAL!) are the DCMS's top elite units. That is not just insulting the Draconis Combine, it is insulting the absolute best of the Draconis Combine.

[@Arnorian_Knight]

@@GhostBear3067 Even as a Purple Bird guy, the FedSons, really do know how to style on their foes.

[@KingDerpy13]

This brings a whole new meaning to "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition"

[@jaffarebellion292]

"Keep your Rifleman by Your Side"

[@ladywaffle2210]

"Praise the Lord and pass the heatsink!"

[@temp3608]

praise the lord, pass the ammo, from a gun barrel at the kurytans

[@ColonelEviscerator]

@@temp3608 Sounds like a Blackjack ad campaign. God Bless GM's Okayest Product.

[@temp3608]

@@ColonelEviscerator general motors, from cars, to tanks, to garbage that wasnt actually garbage and made for a pretty decent firing line, take that you godless kurytans

[@irateastartes1206]

As a refugee from 40k I find the union of religion and giant stompy mechs strangely comforting.

[@theomnissiah-9120]

I feels like home doesn’t it ?

[@gabrielschultz7717]

It does

[@ColonelEviscerator]

Well, Comstar isn't quite as special as the Mechanicus...until the Blakists splinter off.

[@MultiversalCanadian]

I agree, however. I find the threat of religious stompy mechs to be rather frightening. For the greater good.

[@1973Washu]

@@theomnissiah-9120 My warhammer is right where I parked it. From one warhammer to another.

[@Lunarice98]

This is about Pope Leo XXI. Who after the Draconis Combine invaded New Avalon and killed the previous Pope and all the Cardinals was chosen as the next pope from his position as Grand Master of the Knights Defensor. Where he wages his crusade against the godless Kuritans.

[@EverythingBattletech]

We aren't completely Godless, Bless the Coordinator

[@SeismicHammer]

Rasalhague waves surreptitiously from behind Kurita

[@tanith117]

@@EverythingBattletech Shut up Snake, Remember Avalon and Kentares.

[@banebeard]

@@tanith117 and Helm

[@Lunarice98]

@@tanith117 just paste a list of everywhere Kurita has been. It'll be faster that way and we'll future proof it against future kuritan atrocities.

[@cyndrynn]

"For we are the true Sword of Light" ... oof! That's a nasty burn! For those not in the know, the Sword of Light Regiments are an elite Kuritan unit.

[@bc9402]

I’m mixed on this, on one hand I play Draconis combine. On the other hand, this song and lore are really cool.

[@haroldcarfrey4206]

@@bc9402 The Combine who seems hell bent to convince the rest of the inner sphere they need to be nuked for being barbaric in war, including but not limited to enslaving prisoners of war, massacring said prisoners of war, keeping of comfort girls, the release of NBC devices against civilian populations, and of course, massacring of civilian populations?

[@mage5587]

@@haroldcarfrey4206 You say this like the other factions dont also do bad things lol

[@crysisrevelation6132]

True. But there are things that Kuritans do exclusively that even Capellans would find abhorrent. No one is without sin, but some have EARNED their place in the ninth circle of Hell.

[@z3r0_35]

Not only elite, but fanatical. The Second Sword of Light Regiment bears the flag of Kentares IV on their mechs as a symbol of pride that they followed their orders to commit atrocities against the populace when many others only complied under duress or committed suicide to avoid having to go through with it. They're pretty hardcore.

[@GhostBear3067]

For some clarification, this is not about a Roman Catholic Pope but rather a New Avalon Catholic Pope. The New Avalon Catholic denomination is a bit of Battletech lore I find very amusing (especially as a practicing Christian) because unlike just about every other Christian denomination in history it was not established due to doctrinal differences and disagreements, it was straight up established BY ACCIDENT during the Amaris Civil War.

[@sirflapfla97]

If you could would you mind writing the entirety of battle tech lore or point me in the right way. I am going to get started with battle tech soon

[@sirflapfla97]

GIVE ME THE LORE

[@kacperkonieczny7333]

@@k9vendettathewolfofmordor529 yes, how?

[@SardonicCrows]

@@sirflapfla97 Sarna is your friend my friend. It's THE Battletech wiki

[@franciosdeaeruiu7555]

@@k9vendettathewolfofmordor529 during the Amaris coup contact with Terra was basically impossible. It was assumed that Rome was razed and the old Pope killed. The cardinal of New Avalon basically declared New Avalon the last remaining seat of Catholicism and made himself Pope as he thought he was basically the last cardinal

[@littleshep5502]

Someone is apparently quite active on Sarna. In the Trivia for Pope Leo XXI, there is " The rise of Leo XXI to Pope after a long career as a MechWarrior led to the BattleTech fan community embracing the character as the WarriorPope, even spawning the song The WarriorPope of New Avalon on KZbin."

[@Deridus]

"Sarna good: Support Sarna," some guy I heard assblasting Capellans.

[@gabrielemusica6513]

@@KillerOrca how do I get into it? Lol

[@knighttemplaroftentacult7123]

@@Deridus While being heavy on whisky, named Tex? I think I know the guy.

[@ladywaffle2210]

Sarna editors are gods among men

[@JerodTrd]

@@knighttemplaroftentacult7123 DO YOU HELP SUPPORT HIS PRODUCTION? It’s not required, but damn… it’s almost worth i for the Patreon-only audio reports. Tex is wholesome. All praise The Black Pants Legion.

[@matthewbrandin6947]

You know, I don't much about Battletech, but "Warrior Pope" is a good way to get me interested in anything

[@mahoganydoughnut6082]

Battle pope makes anything better

[@travisbrewer1641]

Fun fact. Said warrior pope was a fan made character who was made canon. Basically the exact reverse of GW's stance towards their fandom

[@CBRN-115]

@@travisbrewer1641 amazing

[@bthsr7113]

Just a heads up, he's an outlier from what I've learned, so don't expect a lot of religious warring.

[@codius_dak5095]

@@bthsr7113 if I recall correctly it takes place in the ilkhan era, 3151. The DCMS has taken New Avalon.

[@wafflebananakid5875]

the perfect song for when the Cleric multiclasses into Artificer as a joke but ends up enjoying it a little too much

[@joshuasturnfield7549]

Yes, though I see it as a Warforged Cleric of an Automation/Machine pantheon, that has the Artificer with a reduced multclass penalty. Then again it could be a Homebrew to offset the multiclass penalties. Anyway, a One-shot from Dungeon In a Box I got is more Japanese style Mecha feel, I am cooking up a party for.

[@LeonardGoodnight]

This is amazing. Totally wasn't expecting this much positive reaction when I submitted the character. Thought I'd get, at best, a footnote in a sourcebook somewhere. The Dragon lairs in ruined New Avalon! To arms, brethren! Take up the Cross! For our Martyred Brethren! Deus Vult!

[@Chromevod]

It's a great concept. If a model for the Regent ever comes out, I'll absolutely paint it up as Pope Leo XXI's.

[@npswm1314]

Damned Dracs are no better than Amaris! Never forgive! Never forget! Viva Christos Rex!

[@KillerOrca]

Sometimes the fandom smiles upon thee, friend.

[@trboturtle1035]

And as the guy who created the Knights Defensors, I'm a bit giddy over this...😁

[@jaffarebellion292]

I love how Battletech's lore is semi-open source for the minor details. It really makes the Inner Sphere feel like a real place.

[@Servellion]

To anyone wondering, the Warrior Pope's machine is a Regent. 90 tons of badass warmachine wrought by House Steiner and Clan Sea Fox and the entire thing is bright gold. A LBX AC20 is an excellent way to show Kuritans the truth path of holiness.

[@kingheath97]

Literally in some cases

[@davidriadi7999]

"I am the way, and the light. Except the light is occasionally muzzle flash" Gun Jesus

[@chaosknight9131]

I can't believe how almost no one is talking about the Regent Mech having it's own Pope Hat

[@KillerOrca]

I mean he IS the Pope. Would his mech not have a miter?

[@Blaiseingfire]

Latin translation courtesy of google translate: In nomine patris = In the name of that father In nomine fili = In the name of the son In nomine spiritu sancti = In the name of the holy spirit Sanctus dominus, sanctus oremus = Holy Lord, holy let us pray Crux sacra sit mihi lux = Holy Cross be my light Non draco sit mihi dux = The dragon will not be my guide Vade retre satana = Go back Satan Ninquam suade mihi vana = Never persuade me vain Sunt mala quae libas = The evils that offer me Ipse venena bibas = You yourself drink poison

[@Kalnafein]

Thank you.

[@Kuraimizu9152]

"Vade retre satana" is better translated as "Back off Satan" since is an order from the Lord

[@mileselon1339]

I'm not religious... BUTT!

[@MrEvanmcneilage]

That's a translation, a really rough one, with mistakes, but a translation. A chunk of this is common place Catholicism for most part, heard most of these phrases most of my life, outside of parts of the longer, second part, which are rather old, but standard Latin Ecclesia. Many of the words from the second chunk are still rather common words to encounter in Latin Ecclesia. ----- "Sanctus Dominus" "Holy Lord" Sanctus means holy, Dominus means Lord/Master, as in a title, so that's Lord, as in The Lord Our God. "Sanctus Oremus" "Holy" "Let us pray" We covered Sanctus above, so we'll skip that. Oremus, is the invitation to pray, said before short prayers in the Catholic Mass. I'd take this more in the sense of "Let us say this holy prayer:", as these things don't always translate well in a direct manner, and the meanings tend to be more "established" than "literal". Honestly, you could argue a few interpretations here, either as stating it, as said, before the short prayer that follows, or as an invitation to the listener to, as history so elequently put it "Take up the Cross" in defence of the Faith. ----- CRUX SACRA SIT MIHI LUX / NON DRACO SIT MIHI DUX VADE RETRO SATANA / NUNQUAM SUADE MIHI VANA SUNT MALA QUAE LIBAS / IPSE VENENA BIBAS Would be "May the Holy Cross be my light / May the dragon never be my guide Begone Satan / Never tempt me with your vanities What you offer me is evil / drink the poison yourself." This originally comes from a 1400's Western Christian text on Exorcism, but is more commonly found in modern use engraved around crucifixes or Western St. Benedict medals.

[@karlfranz3819]

@@MrEvanmcneilage i'd personally translate non draco sit mihi dux as may the dragon never be my ruler (dux is often used as commander, and while it usually means a military commander, it can also be used as a leader of a nation, like it was used by fascist Italy)

[@zachscarbrough2727]

If going to church meant I got to crusade around in a multi ton Mech, I’d be a regular church goer. Hell, I’d be the first one at the door, bible in hand, and ready to purge.

[@rocket20067]

The black templars want to know your location for reasons

[@Darqshadow]

@@rocket20067 oh gods the Black Templars and Sisters Soritas would so love being in the battle tech universe. A space marine vs an elemental would be amazing

[@LastHCompany]

Nundams and Knights. Space Marines with Jump Packs and Grav Chutes are already Elementals.

[@Recoil1808]

Against Space Japan, at that.

[@KillerOrca]

@@Darqshadow Well technically, just New Avalon. The rest of the universe is pretty varried.

[@theomnissiah-9120]

This really makes be want a “Resist and Bite” esq song about the Taurian concordat Or a “Uprising” esq song about the new Vandenberg uprising

[@chesterstevens8870]

Every time I think of the TC I get strong "Blues Saraceno" vibes.

[@sirflapfla97]

I am new to battle tech but the taurians are my favorite Edit. I have switched to rasalhague

[@TheoLogiCultist]

Based Taurian Enjoyer.

[@reecedignan8365]

I’d say an Uprising based song on Free Rasalhague and their fight against the Ronin to finally declare true and full freedom.

[@KillerOrca]

All good options truly

[@Significantpower]

Its funny, the Federated Suns (while mostly Catholic), is generally a secular place (the religious orders are a small portion of the greater military). Its the Combine that usually engages in religious persecution, but this time they caused a backlash.

[@npswm1314]

Unlike both the Commonwealth and the League. Which is strange because the NACC Pope consecrated the union of the FedSuns and the Commonwealth to make the Fed-Com. Not like the League care because its just space HRE.

[@Significantpower]

@@npswm1314 I'd call 4 of the 5 Great Houses secular (Kurita is the only really sectarian one). Marik is all over the place but region matters more than faith, Liao is strictly state focused, and Steiner is similar to Davion in that its got a clear plurality faith but doesn't really factor that into governance.

[@GhostBear3067]

@@npswm1314 both the New Avalon Catholic Pope and the Roman Catholic Pope were present at Hanse Davion's and Melissa Steiner's wedding.

[@VhenRaTheRaptor]

@@GhostBear3067 Cardinals actually. Cardinal of New Avalon Archdiocese and Cardinal of Tharkad Archdiocese.

[@GhostBear3067]

@@VhenRaTheRaptor I could have sworn when I read the wedding scenes in Warrior: Riposte it said the marriage was officiated by the New Avalon Catholic Pope for Hanse Davion and the Roman Catholic Pope for Melissa Steiner, I mean they were both sufficiently important to warrant a pope of their respective faiths to officiate their wedding, but it has been a few years since I read that novel.

[@jonnarterius3163]

"Ready your AC-20's, the heathens have come to take us away and stop our faith. In the name of believers across the the stars, To arms!"

[@reload2893]

(don't forget the blessed heavy artillery - Omnissiah Protects)

[@boxtank5288]

We'll show them where the real sword of light is as we drive it into the Kuritans' wicked hearts!

[@spongeyspikes09]

Where have you guys been all my life?! 😭😭😭 Come here you! (Hugs you all)

[@Jamhael1]

"IN THE NAME OF CHRIST, TAKE YOUR ARMOR OF CONTEMPT, AND SHOW TO THOSE GODLESS KURITANS WHAT POWER OUR FAITH POSSESS! DEUS VULT AD ASTRA!"

[@spongeyspikes09]

@@Jamhael1 HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMEEEEEENNNN!!!!!

[@haroldcarfrey4206]

The New Avalon Christian Soldiery is canon from the original house books... as is the AFFS having an armed citizenry

[@Darqshadow]

The Armed Soldiery was why the world's world's the Clans took were still be fighting. Often just infantry and armor they still strained the Clans ability to make war. Having religious fanatics probably didn't help

[@LightGuard]

So, thanks to the Kuritan Occupation of New Avalon, there's a BattleTech version of Pope John Paul II's Popemobile. I can't stop giggling at the idea of someone in papal MechWarrior gear: Mitre neurohelmet, cooling robes, and the Eucharist MedPack connected to the waist cincture. Instead of a small pistol or knife, it's a shock baton made from the scepter of office.

[@KillerOrca]

Sometimes, you need to break some heads in the Lords name.

[@joshuasturnfield7549]

Why not a pair of sanctified Clan ER PPC called Lux Sanctus < Holy Light> as a secondary weapons?

[@Spore9996]

@@joshuasturnfield7549 The Kuritans already built the "Lord's Light" PPC :/

[@JPG.01]

@@Spore9996 There is no reason to not coopt the name. Even better it might add insult to injury if the "Lord's Light" became the chosen weapon of an anti-kurita religious faction.

[@Spore9996]

@@JPG.01 Fair enough.

[@lordlucius1341]

sanctus dominus, sanctus oremus, crux sacra sit mihi lux, non draco sit mihi dux, vada retro satana, ninquam suade mihi vana, sunt mala quae libas ipse venena bibas Rough translation: Holy lord, let us pray, holy cross be light to me, let not a dragon be my guide, go back satan! Stringstorm if I’m wrong please correct me, but the fact you had him singing in Latin was absolutely amazing.

[@charlieknight4538]

thank you i was wondering what in the high heavens he was saying

[@danielsnow4989]

You could also translate part of that as "the dragon is not my lord," as "Dux" was a Roman military title that was later used for the basis of the feudal title of "Duke."

[@Flandere_00]

May the Holy Cross be my light. May the dragon never be my guide. Begone Satan. Don't tempt me with thine vanities What you offer me is evil. Drink the poison yourself. That's a prayer. The initials of each word in the prayer are engraved on medals of saint benedict. I'm not 100% sure, but I think you can take those medals (or a crucifix or similar religious item) to a catholic priest and he will bless it by reciting that prayer; the item is then believed to be able to protect you from evil influences.

[@CryoOptics]

It is a Medieval Exorcism Rite

[@mothman8300]

the part of this song that always stuck with me was just loudly yelling BIBAS Bibas meaning satan is just... glorious.

[@GrumbleGrimbus]

I’m a complete buffoon when it comes to Battletech lore, but holy wow this is good!

[@lordcommissarspartan]

@@fakexanax3218 Tex says otherwise lol

[@sirflapfla97]

Pope of a splinter of the Catholic church called the new Avalon catholic church. So pope and some Cardinals where killed by some people working for the draconis combine. New pope was a former mech pilot and started up the knights defensor which is basically knights in mech suits. So yeah we got a pope and knights going around in mech suits killing heretics

[@feliorserapheel6539]

@@sirflapfla97 what paintscheme do they use? Are the knights defensor also white mechs with the red Px and some red parts, or are they painted differently? Sorry if this question is dumb, I am quite new to Battletech lore and just about understood the Exodus, the clans and the clan invasion. But about the rest I am still not really well versed.

[@paulgeffray303]

@@sirflapfla97 Alexander Anderson approves this pope.

[@sirflapfla97]

@@feliorserapheel6539 they are blue and gold

[@Haloister]

As a proud member of the Federated Suns, I can appreciate any song that talks smack about those shit head Kuritans. It being from the New Avalon Pope is just gravy.

[@Deridus]

Forgive me, my former countryman but have you heard the good Word of Blake?

[@Haloister]

@@Deridus *racks autocannon* Considering what you lot did to New Avalon, you best keep moving.

[@Deridus]

@@Haloister (laughs in ROM) I didn't do anything.

[@Haloister]

@@Deridus That's a good thing too, because I don't think I can actually heft this thing to aim it outside of a 'Mech

[@Darqshadow]

@@Deridus *heavy gas mask breathing followed woth the sound of a pulse laser being booted up* Where we going, shovels won't be enough

[@BylarantGuy]

God now I really want a song about the last stand of the blackwatch

[@z3r0_35]

And among the lyrics should be the phrase "nuclear weapons are just an inconvenience"

[@devinneubert8108]

@@z3r0_35 I test listened, “nuclear fire, merely inconvenient” is one of the last lines

[@TALI_KAEOS]

:)

[@KillerOrca]

That’s probably coming if I had to guess

[@Deridus]

"Nukes are frankly (explosion) boring." would be acceptable.

[@lukethegamingkiwi662]

I love this so much both as a Christian and fan of Battletech

[@l.ev.s6546]

Me too mate!

[@reload2893]

quick Q: have you listened to Powerwolf?

[@Demicleas]

@@reload2893 pretty sure we all have at some point.

[@l.ev.s6546]

@@reload2893 One of my favorite bands

[@CBRN-115]

@@reload2893 they make a great christian music and ones that doesn't sound boring or cheesy but badass and exciting to listen to

[@irhinohammer]

BATTLE POPE IS BEST POPE!

[@knightpal1545]

"Why do I hear sabaton last stand playing in the direction of the enemies, commander?" -Last words said by first serpent lance

[@lordlucius1341]

This absolutely slaps, this just made my morning, you’re giving us more and more metal tracks I need to know what genre you listen to my musical master

[@alexs1954]

Sounds like powerwolf for this one. Power metal would be the genre, a good mix of sound and actually being able to hear what they’re saying.

[@lordlucius1341]

@@alexs1954 absolutely sounds like power metal, I’ve been enjoying the slow turn into heavier songs, gray death legion gave me melodic vibes

[@Dzann88]

@@alexs1954 oh good its not just me that heard the powerwolf feeling in this

[@WorldArchivist]

@@Dzann88 I do believe StringStorm mentioned in a post that this would be based on Powerwolf.

[@wintersking4290]

It's like sabaton, powerwolf, and bloodbound mixed together. I'm liking this.

[@Deridus]

I find it a rather entertaining coincidence that I had just listened to The Last Stand before hearing this.

[@npswm1314]

This was not at all what i expected...but its amazing.

[@npswm1314]

"Their's a new pope in town, the Warrior Pope. And he really fucking hates Kuritans."

[@leviackerman2271]

I was expecting a tau empire song when I seen the mecha

[@danielsnow4989]

"God wills it - on every world, in every age."

[@Big_E_Soul_Fragment]

Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition

[@YGNX]

Praise the lord, he ain't a politician.

[@leesh193]

Holy shit this slaps. Thought you lost your battletech mojo after grey death song.... But you actually managed to surpass Tukkayid. Good job.

[@nekomakhea9440]

Tell me you joined The Great Fandom Exodus of 2021, from 40k to the clearly superior fandom, without saying you joined The Great Fandom Exodus.

[@frking100]

Funny thing is that the warhammer exodus resembles so much the SLDF exudus. Hopefully these new fans don't pull a Nicholas Keresnky on us and go full retard.

[@littleshep5502]

@@frking100 People from 40k threatened Tex for speaking with Arch, its already happened sadly

[@antonin_suk]

How does one measure fandom superiority?

[@littleshep5502]

@@antonin_suk I mean, Battletech is basically pretty chill, no one really cares what views anyone has, there's not much pull to go one way or another, there isn't really any strife with the company, and as I mentioned to someone else, there aren't death threats made against basically the voice of the community for going on a podcast

[@antonin_suk]

@@littleshep5502 Good points. However, with that said, I believe that the WH community is more numerous (if I am not mistaken). So there is a statistically greater potential for people to be dipshits. The "measurement" is absolute, not relative.

[@green_creeper288]

1:26 "Holy Lord let us pray Holy Cross be my light The dragon will not be my guide Get thee behind me, Satan never persuade me vain the evils that offer me you yourself drink poison."

[@eduardoquinonez2929]

Very strong Powerwolf vibes here. Love it. Keep up the great work.

[@sreckocuvalo8110]

You might be loyal to Marik, Stainer, Davion or Liao, but EVERYONE hates Kurita. With good reason.

[@Nyxcha]

while true. the same could be argued for liao.

[@ikillstupidcomments]

Kuritans are mostly scum but at least they're not Cappies. There have at least been a few honorable people to come out of the Combine but the only good thing House Liao ever did was the Raven.

[@Nyxcha]

@@ikillstupidcomments well...and the vindicare....i'm STILL so PISSED that my favorite light/medium mech....came from the cappellans..... every night i gotta wash it just in case any taint shows up

[@Deridus]

Wai, wai, wait... "Loyal" to the Confederation? WHAT!? Also, Mercs don't work for Kurita, so... HATE!

[@Significantpower]

Kurita deserved Clan Smoke Jaguar.

[@GeneralPotatoSalad]

Oh, I totally forgot to mention: Nice use of the Vade Retro Satana. I've always loved it - particularly that last line - and I enjoy the metal rendition here.

[@pinestriker2789]

This is amazing I’ve played this non stop for an hour now

[@egooobrony]

For a moment I thought I am listening to Gloryhammer. This is a whole new level, Stringstorm. With proper vocals, your stuff shines brighter than ever.

[@kommando293]

I’m getting Powerwolf vibes. And I love it. Now since I don’t have my Highschool Latin book with me anymore(yeah my Highschool had that as a language to learn) can someone tell me what the Latin words mean? Also... context. Of this whole event. Becuase I’m still new to Battletech and need a guiding hand since my brains addled by 40k

[@d5hadow858]

The song speaks of His Holiness Pope Leo XXI. He was once the grand master of the Knights Defensor, the church's battlemech force.He rose to his position when New Avalon was occupied by House Kurita's military (DCMS, "dragon") During this occupation, DCMS murdered Pope Beneficent XVII and slaughtered the entire college of cardinals. The surviving archbishop from elsewhere elected Pope Leo in recognition of his battle prowess. He then personally led the Knights Defensor in a holy war against the DCMS, often saving/protecting Christian settlements from Kuritan cruelty.

[@sirflapfla97]

@@d5hadow858 lol a Christian church survived that long.

[@vladtairov2721]

In the current era of the Battletech timeline, the IlClan Era, the Draconis Combine successfully invaded New Avalon, capitol of the Federated Suns. The DCMS, the bloodthirsty, amoral fucks they are, decided to murder the Pope and College of Cardinals of the New Avalon Catholic Church as part of the occupation. In response, the surviving archbishops elected Pope Leo XXI, a former officer of the First Avalon Hussars and Grand Master of the Knights Defensor order militant. He often leads assaults against the Combine personally in a solid gold battlemech at the head of his Knights on his mission to liberate the faithful.

[@relogos]

"Sanctus dominus. Sanctus, oremus crux sacra sit mihi lux. Non draco sit mihi dux. Vade retro satana ninquam suade mihi vana. Sunt mala quae libas ipse venena bibas." Which roughly translates into "Holy Lord. Holy cross, let us pray for the sacred light. The dragon will not be my guide. Go behind me, you vain Satan. There are evils that offer me the same poisons as you drink."

[@kommando293]

Thank you. Now I’m gonna go turn my unmade Battletech force I was going to ply as Militia in some Knights Defensor

[@bthsr7113]

Cut to some miserable Shinto priest reinforcing a shrine with armor plating while grumbling about the coordinator poking the Catholics into a crusade.

[@Scriptedviolince]

Funny that. Actually most of the actually practicing Shinto sects are either on New Kyoto (temporarily occupied by furries) or the Magistracy of Canopus. The Draconis Combine replaces Shinto with this weird Cult of the Coordinator thing. The only religion that has an exception is Islam because they kicked the DC's ass, and joined peacefully in exchange for that exception.

[@Jamhael1]

I can see the Combine battle music like something from Ghost in the Shell.

[@ak4390]

Another awesome song. Figured there where some who were too lazy too look up the Latin (or down in previous comments) or didn't go to school that taught Latin. Not an expert in Latin but figured people would like the translation. Sanctus Dominus = Holy Lord Sanctus Oremus = We pray to the Holy One Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux= HOLY CROSS BE MY LIGHT Non Draco Sit Mihi Dux = The dragon will not be my guide Vade Retro Satana = Get thee behind me, Satan Ninquam Suade Mihi Vana = Never Advise Me Vain Sunt Mala Quae Libas = There are evil things that you like Ipse Venena Bibas = He himself drinks poison

[@stbaird7977]

Really enjoyed helping with this one! For New Avalon! Amen!

[@KillerOrca]

What do you call that giant combat censor?

[@stbaird7977]

@@KillerOrca A cure for Kurita. Apply to head with ample rage. If subject is still a godless Kuritan, repeat the process until they cease being so.

[@KillerOrca]

@@stbaird7977 excellent

[@ImpudentInfidel]

This has kind of a Powerwolf vibe, although that might just be because it's militant Catholic heavy metal.

[@wafflebananakid5875]

I get Powerwolf vibes from this, between the heavy meal and orchestral instrumentals with the the Catholic theme, overall very good job on everyone's part

[@travisbrewer1641]

YOU KNOW WHAT I WANT! A "Counterstrike" or "Lion of the north" esc song but about Vladimir ward and the death of Clan wolf, and then the rebirth of Clan wolf after he btfo Jade falcon

[@raspherion]

Catholics: Okay Japan, after seeing...Any anime, we've decided to finally explain how Catholism works... *One long, historical, lecture later* Japanese: Pope Gundam ENGAAAAAAAAAGE!

[@npswm1314]

Hilariously, knowing how poorly Catholicism spread in Japan historically this is very funny. Watching Blue Exorcist gives me headaches because just...no. I mean at least Vatican Miracle Examiners was correct in most cases.

[@raspherion]

@@npswm1314 True

[@Meshakhad]

Catholics: OK, that's awesome.

[@aoenuker19]

Everyone in here talking about "battletech" i have no fucking clue what yall talkin about but this is making me wanna go crusading, giant laser mechs just makes it better. Hell yeah giant laser pope battle robots

[@bthsr7113]

Just so you know, this guy is an outlier and most mechs are affiliated with mercs and/or professional militaries. In this specific case, House Kurita poked the New Avalon Catholics, yet another offshoot of the Roman Catholic Church. Specifically by delivering quite possibly the worst Catholic persecution in the centuries since the instance that lead to the New Avalon church being formed as a potential lifeboat for the very survival of the institution. Because Battletech has some loony villains. If you want more info as to why the Catholic church might be at all worried about survival, go look up the Tex Talks Battletech series, specifically the Amaris Civil War videos. Things got bad then.

[@Colink101]

Yo the Popemobile kinda hits different in Battletech.

[@bowenorcutt78]

You know a song is good when there's a link to it on the character's wiki page. Amen.

[@KillerOrca]

The guy who paid the kickstarter to have this character created is on here too somewhere.

[@commissargeko4029]

God! This feels like a sci-fi themed cover of Power Wolf. I absolutely love it!

[@aoofmg6684]

I love 40k but its satisfying to see that some great artists have turned their back on GWs nonsense politics and give other universes some love. As usual, well done

[@Makarimorph]

I was just listening to my daily String Storm and this Banger popped up!

[@Numinon]

Never cared about Battletech and never knew what it was about besides mechs, I still don't know but this song made me interested enough to actually go glance at a wiki page or two. It's things like these that breathe life into a universe for me, you can have the facts laid out as elegantly and as easy to read as possible, but nothing invites me more into a setting than some good fucking music.

[@carissamace]

I love the fact that the mech’s mace/flail/thing is an incense canister. Like one would swing during mass. That’s a nice touch.

[@Stargazzer811]

Remember New Avalon, for one day it will rise again.

[@mirrorslul]

I want to throw it out here that this song's lore got me a bit into Battletech. Then the Black Watch came out and honestly that was the deciding factor for me to jump straight into the fandom no matter how complicated for a newbie it might be. Thank you StringStorm for giving me yet another universe to lose my head in.

[@countofarcadia]

For some odd reason, I really like the line, "Crux Sacra Sit Mihi Lux." I know it is referring to the Holy Cross being the light, but it is worth noting that the planet New Avalon rests in a system in the Crux (Southern Cross) Constellation as well.

[@edgardosanchez521]

Hope we get more Battletech themed music! Would love a song for each of the IS houses and maybe some of the clans!

[@Mouseforatu]

You knocked it out of the park again! I can't wait until March for the Black Watch song

[@bthsr7113]

I look forward to the bagpipes.

[@imperialfist2304]

GLORY TO NEW AVALON!

[@wojszach4443]

All hail MechaPope!

[@Rollskblau]

The batteltech song you compose brings me great joy! Thank you

[@IronWarhorsesFun]

Me: Brings my 40k Knight House to a BT Tournament GM: "I'll allow it, as long as you have a appropriate backstory Me: I got StringStorm on Call😎

[@npswm1314]

Im pretty sure any Imperial Knight models that arent from the Adeptus Titanicus boardgame would be too big to fit on a normal Battletech table, you would need to Proxy it. Battletech being Model Agnostic is always helpful tho. Translating weapons honestly wouldnt be that hard. Most Warhound Variants and most Imperial Knight Variants could fit in Battletech. They would be rather oddly designed compared to other mechs but not that far out there. LAMs are objectively more unusual.

[@IronWarhorsesFun]

@@npswm1314 Ah yes LAMs which are objectively not a Macross Crossover 😂

[@npswm1314]

@@IronWarhorsesFun Yeah totally absolutely not...Dont say it too loudly Harmony Gold's Lawyers might hear us.

[@KillerOrca]

@@npswm1314 Only thing that might be an issue is the chainblades but you can run those as hatchets without much issue. If the damn Kuritans can have mech sized katanas...

[@npswm1314]

@@KillerOrca Mech mounted chainsaws arent exactly...uncommon.

[@marvellouskhuty1001]

Imperium: Ahhh fellow brudah.

[@MervDeGriff]

BY FREEDOMS SWORD THIS ROCKS! I may be biased, but at least I'm not some brain dead 'bold commander' from a Kuritan horde. :)

[@Haloister]

Well said.

[@lordlucius1341]

The lord’s voice echoed from the mountain with a thunderous boom, and the lord said, “fuck house Kurita”, amen.

[@Inquisitor-Yog-Sothoth]

Space Pope with mech. That is awesome.

[@thecynicalpogo6214]

The 40k Head of the Ecclesiarch wishes he was this cool

[@npswm1314]

Last i checked the head of the Adeptus Ministorium didnt have his own Titan.

[@your_favorite_commissar2008]

Relistening to this song after the blackwatch one and man, this song is way better.

[@sluggaboyzWC3]

also for those who want to know, the mech is what looks to be a custom Regent. 90t, dark age mech with a clan tech base, and it looks like the art here has him trade out the medium pulse laser and probably some other things for a flail. the hat is probably a design quirk(distracting)

[@sluggaboyzWC3]

after a bit of digging to make the mech without sacrificing armor you are probably going to need to do the following, drop the right shoulder LB-X 20 for an LB-X 10 so the ammunition matches the prime variant and clears up 1 ton, take out the arm heatsink and med laser for another 3 and take off the hand for that last ton and slap in the flail which is 4 crits and 5 tons.

[@littleshep5502]

If it is based off of Leo 16th, he pilots a standard regent called Justicar, painted bright gold

[@sluggaboyzWC3]

@@littleshep5502 i know but if you want it to function like the image used for the song that's what i came up with to do so. also flails are fun.

[@Deridus]

@@sluggaboyzWC3 any melee weapon is better than those stupid titanian nails that Liao prince was using.

[@Insanemage2001]

Battlemech wearing a mitre... I did not know I needed this in my life, but here we are

[@npswm1314]

Its an official mech too. Called the Regent. Came out in a recent Recognition Guide.

[@Insanemage2001]

I mean it basically looks like someone took an Awesome and said "Yeah 3 PPCs is cool, and all, but I would like some extra variety in my murder tools" so it already gets points there

[@npswm1314]

@@Insanemage2001 Knowing Battletech that is probably true.

[@Ded_L0L]

So cool and drivefull. Bravo, team Stringstorm!

[@leandrobotchkarev1988]

Its basically a constant now, that in any wargame with a CatholicTM faction, they will really come down hard on the weeb faction.

[@wnderwho]

Welp, I guess this is my introduction to Battletech. Amen.

[@bthsr7113]

Welcome, just don't take the religious overtones as indicative of the setting. It does play a part, but by and large, it's about nations and the noble houses who lead them. Oh, and the multitude of mercs who serve as pawns in the great game.

[@saintbrodee8021]

@@bthsr7113 Sounds like heretic talk to me...

[@Fen_Wolf]

Another great song I am loving these battle tech songs it’s like sabaton

[@Woldemar94]

that HUGE MASSIVE powerwolf vibe thogh

[@Dillpickle1997]

4 months ago i knew jack shit about battletech. Not i get hyped when a song even hints about it

[@GaelicMongrel2023]

I'm a Rasalhauge Dominion/ Clan Ghost Bear guy myself... but I approve of anyone sticking it to the Dracs.

[@sirflapfla97]

Rasalhague is the closet thing to a stable republic. I would go taurian concordant but they went full dictator.

[@GaelicMongrel2023]

@@sirflapfla97 Uh... that's the Rasalhauge Republic, not the Rasalhauge Dominion. I'm talking about the state that occured when Ghost Bear decided to give integration a try.

[@TallboyDave]

So, I have to ask; was it ever recorded as to who was the absolute half-wit in the Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery who decided it would be a great idea to follow the example of the Greenhaven Gestapo (aka Stephan Amaris' pet goon squad) in ecumenical matters?

[@MahiMahi-oiasdf]

Nothing yet, we'll likely get some more information in a Shrapnel story or in the new ilClan sourcebooks. Tamar Rising comes out 1/19, a FWL/Wolf Empire/LC region is next, and I imagine a FWL/CC/FS book followed by a FS/DC is slated for later.

[@Significantpower]

The Combine considers all religions other than Shinto and Buddhism to be illegal organizations, the punishment being death. Exceptions are made for specific branches of Christianity and Islam on planets where they form a majority (Kurita got sick of religious uprisings). Everyone else dies, or at best has to practice underground.

[@MahiMahi-oiasdf]

@@Significantpower Tai Dai Cult 4 Eva!

[@JRBDWD]

The checa*

[@SomeKrieger]

This reminds me of Amen and Attack by Powerwolf

[@sarialpendragon7635]

Wonder why :smirk:

[@stringstorm]

;o

[@zehark]

15 seconds into this and I'm already wearing chainmail.

[@bryanmcmahon8593]

Down with the Dragon!

[@blackholewarriors1928]

amen and attack x blessed and possesed i love it

[@theoverpreparerlamenters3r436]

You go, you funky little religion mechs

[@ankyo2763]

It brings me a huge Powerwolf vibe I LOVE IT

[@DarkArtistKaiser]

A friend of mine had taken to calling me Based Pope when I played EU4, united Italy as the Papal State, formed the Kingdom of God, and turned it into a major power on the world stage, dominating chunks of Africa as well as taking back Egypt, Jerusalem, and Constantinople. I also made a "continuation" Human civ where it is a space empire in Stellaris and imagine using this as the theme of the play-through when I do it.

[@conradshtock3039]

I don't care what this song is about, *I NEED A POWERWOLF COVER, TOO!*

[@saintbrodee8021]

I have no idea who these Combine or this Dragon is. But god damn, the God Machines march no matter what universe. I need to go crusading now.

[@Demicleas]

Think ww2 Japan in space with mechs. Meaning yes they do banzi charges nankings and kamakazis.

[@saintbrodee8021]

@@Demicleas And I assume New Avalon got Nanjing'ed?

[@tyvernoverlord5363]

@@saintbrodee8021 That's putting it... a bit lightly. . . Thus, just exactly the reason why the NACC(New Avalon Catholic Church) is going on a Jihad.

[@saintbrodee8021]

@@tyvernoverlord5363 I mean, its called the Rape of Nanjing for a reason... But if that is putting it lightly? I really don't like these Combine guys.

[@tyvernoverlord5363]

@@saintbrodee8021 In battletech, everybody does war crimes by the terraton... and the Draconis Combine and the Capellan Confederation are masters of war crimes. . .

[@BazztheBazz]

Whoa, something that makes the Dark Age actually look cool!

[@Oblivius33]

I would appreciate an instrumental version of this song personally.

[@ch_r0me_one]

When you fuse the coolness of Hauptmann with awesomeness with Awesome, you get... the DEUS VULT in purest form.

[@Author_Paluthor]

Any Battletech loremasters to explain to us 40K fans?

[@stringstorm]

New lore so there isn't much about it. But you can read what there is here: www.sarna.net/wiki/New_Avalon_Catholic_Church

[@AgirPL]

Its like pope but with mech

[@npswm1314]

The Draconis Combine rules over New Avalon so the pope of the New Avalon Catholic Church is waging a Crusader against the DCMS.

[@AgirPL]

@@npswm1314 yeah but with mech also fuck draconis

[@EverythingBattletech]

In 3146 the Draconis Combine invaded the Homeworld of the House Davion/Federated Sun's. The Combine slaughtered the Clergy and Murdered the Pope of the New Avalon Catholic Church. The Church, with its warriors, the Knights Defensors, have made it their mission to fight the might of the Combine.

[@logandaley1544]

Just when I was wondering how I’d get my BattleTech and Sabaton fixes at the same time

[@Kingwolf_555]

You know you're fucked as a Drac when the Davions start speaking Latin. Pro Deo et Davion!!!

[@kulrigalestout]

Doing some PvP as a Shadow Priest while this is blaring in the background feels so good