RPC – Halo Knights
Second place, which gets the tricked-out Rhino!
Submitted by Graham:
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Name: |
Halo Knights |
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Founding chapter: |
Imperial Fists |
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Founding: |
19th Founding |
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Chapter Master: |
Arcan Valcarus |
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Homeworld: |
Fleet-based, Crusading Chapter |
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Main colours: |
Silver, Bronze |
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Specialty: |
Armoured Assault, Siege |
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Estimated strength: |
8 companies ~ 900 Marines and Recruits |
Founded in the chaotic years following the Nova Terra Interregnum, the Halo Knights were one of many Chapters tasked with bringing the heretic worlds back into the fold of the Imperium. Serving with distinction, the Halo Knights were rewarded with the opportunity to claim one of the recaptured worlds as the Chapter’s homeworld, which the Knights’ Master Drago Arcteris turned down, instead requesting that the Halo Knights remain as a Crusading fleet, bringing the Emperor’s Justice wherever it was needed. The High Lords of Terra, perhaps insulted by the refusal of their gift and certainly inspired by the Chapter’s own iconography, agreed to master Arcteris’ request and sent the Halo Knights on a crusade to the very edge of the Imperium. For a thousand years the Halo Knights guarded the edges of the Segmentum Pacificus from encroaching Ork hordes, Eldar corsairs and the agents of Chaos, gathering members from the worlds they saved or conquered to replace their losses. The Knights were slowly diminished over time, as the constant battles the Chapter engaged in claimed more losses than could be replaced and by the closing of M38 the Chapter was a shadow of its former self, with only four companies of Battle-Brothers to its credit.
The end of the Chapter came during the Parssus Crusade against the Dark Eldar of the Cabal of Grief, vicious slavers who preyed on the outlying worlds of the Segmentum Pacificus and eluding all Imperial attempts to end their savagery. The Halo Knights took up the call to battle and through a series of planned raids against Cabalite strongholds lead the xenos pirates into the waiting gunsights of an Imperial Navy fleet. While the Navy battleships ground down the Dark Eldar ships to rubble and dust, the Halo Knights stood ready to catch any ships that broke free of the Imperial encirclement. At the climax of the battle, the Dark Eldar flagship Lament of Thorns broke free of the Navy blockade and fled for open space. Determined to see the end of the foul slavers’ reign of terror, the Halo Knights pursued in the Chapter’s lone Battle Barge Argent Glory, chasing the xenos cruiser far beyond the borders of the Imperium. The Argent Glory and the core of the Halo Knights leadership and fighting strength was never seen in the Imperium again. What remained of the Halo Knights were disbanded by the High Lords of Terra and folded into other Chapters, ending the short but successful history of another minor Chapter.
The Argent Glory and the Halo Knights inside survived however, hounding the Lament of Thorns beyond the rim of the galaxy into the scattered Halo Stars themselves. Finally crippling their prey, the Knights boarded the Dark Eldar cruiser and systematically eliminated every xenos warrior they could find. Far beyond the borders of the Imperium and running short of supplies, the Argent Glory began the long, cautious journey back to the Imperium. As power and supplies dwindled, the Halo Knights made a shattering discovery, human-populated worlds far beyond the Imperium, colonized long ago but never appearing on any star chart or record within the Argent Glory’s libraries. Fearing some trap or heresy but critically short of supplies, the Halo Knights made contact with these worlds and discovered their origins. Claiming descent from the ancient Imperial crusade under Admiral Usurs in M33, the dozen inhabited worlds of the Halo Stars had been settled and held since the Admiral’s crusade and had been waiting for contact with the Imperium for generations (while never recorded in official histories, Admiral Usurs had been exiled beyond the Imperium by the High Lords of Terra and the crusade into the Halo Stars had been a way of ‘diplomatically’ removing the Admiral from power. The Admiral’s reports of conquered and settled worlds were never followed up and abandoned).
Inspired by the resilience and tenacity of these colonists, long sundered from the Imperium, the Halo Knights’ Chapter Master Broma Hargull made the decision to remain in the Halo Stars, protecting the scattered human worlds at the edge of the galaxy until the Imperium finally came to reclaim its own. The long vigil of the Halo Knights continues to this day, a single Space Marine Chapter aided only by the few worlds they choose to protect, exemplars of the honour and chivalry espoused long ago by their ancient Primarch, Rogal Dorn.
Organization:
The Halo Knights are a fleet-based chapter, perpetually patrolling the Halo Stars between scattered human worlds. Central to the Chapter’s fleet is the ancient Battle Barge Argent Glory, the same vessel that brought the Halo Knights to the Halo Stars nearly three thousand years ago. The rest of the Chapter Fleet is made up of over a dozen Strike Cruisers and numerous smaller escort vessels. Whenever possible, the Halo Knights prefer to operate as a whole Chapter, or at least to divide themselves between as few fronts as possible, to deliver maximum strength against their foes as possible rather than trying to hold down multiple engagements. This doctrine means that the Halo Knights are always on the move as they hammer down each battle in turn before moving on to the next, but does ensure that they are never spread so thinly that their strength is wasted.
Having been so long in isolation from the rest of the Imperium, the Knights have drifted from the rule of the Adeptus Astartes, instead adopting a structure closer to their crusading kin, the Black Templars. Each new recruit to the chapter is put through rigorous testing by the Chapter Chaplains before being seconded to a serving Knight as a Squire. The Squire will follow and serve his master Knight on and off the battlefield, all the time learning the ways of the Chapter and of war. Only when his master is satisfied will the Squire be raised to the full rank of Knight and don the full suite of Space Marine Power Armour. With the newest members of the Chapter folded into the regular line units, infiltration and scouting duties fall to the Knights Errant, experienced battle-brothers who have an inherent knack for subterfuge and unconventional warfare. Clad in full suits of power armour in dull or mottled hues, the Knights Errant range ahead of the main battle force, identifying targets of opportunity and wreaking havoc on poorly protected supply lines and depots. The sudden appearance of armoured Knights wielding heavy weapons from the rear or flank has turned the tables on many enemies over the years and will do until the chapter is no more, such is the respect earned by the independent and often unorthodox Knights Errant.
Instead of rigidly organized Battle Companies, the Halo Knights create Task Forces in a more flexible, ad hoc manner suitable for the requirements of the task at hand, its members drawn from standing Companies that specialize in a given battlefield role. This inherent flexibility allows the Halo Knights to respond to multiple calls for aid with little delay, invaluable for a Chapter that must patrol so large a territory.
With only a limited ability to resupply their fighting forces through the Forge World of Grougal, the Halo Knights have several elements missing from the Chapter armouries. Foremost of these is the almost complete absence of Tactical Dreadnought Armour. The singular suit of neigh-invulnerable “Terminator” armour left to the Halo Knights is reserved for the exclusive use by the Chapter Master and over the centuries has been modified and upgraded with a host of protective wards and augmentations to further enhance its abilities. The Halo Knights also have a severe shortage of Land Raider transports, having lost many to slow attrition over the centuries without means of replacement. As such the use of such valued vehicles has become reserved for the veteran 1st Company, allowing the finest warriors of the Chapter to be delivered directly into the thickest fighting. Without ready access to Land Raiders the Halo Knights rely heavily on the many vehicles based on the venerable Rhino chassis, the Predator and Vindicator tanks, Razorback transport and Whirlwind missile launcher.
Tactics:
The standard battle doctrine of the Halo Knights is of encirclement and siege, which proceeds in ever-shrinking circles as the enemy is reduced to static positions before the Knights grind them down with concentrated heavy weapons support. On arriving in a battle zone the large Chapter Fleet begins the encirclement and blockade of enemy planets. As reinforcements from local Imperial Navy flotillas arrive, the Chapter Fleet will tighten the blockade and begin direct bombardment of surface positions. Once the enemy is cut off from escape or reinforcement the Halo Knights begin landing operations, centered around the ancient Battle Barge “Argent Glory” which carries the bulk of the Chapter’s ground forces into battle. When the landing zones are secured and the Knight Errant have identified the enemy’s most important positions, the Chapter makes full use of its extensive armoury of tanks and armoured vehicles, surrounding enemy forces with roaming squadrons of Predator tanks with bike and Landspeeder outriders. Once contained, the Halo Knights will besiege the enemy with companies of Marines delivered by Rhino and Razorback transports before grinding them down under Vindicator and Whirlwind barrage.
Heraldry:
The Chapter Icon of the Halo Knights is a vertical sword within a twelve-pointed ring. Armour is silver-grey in colour with bronze trim and highlights. Chaplains, Librarians and Tech-Marines retain the main armour colours with the distinctive colour of their station displayed on the shoulder pads. Librarians also wear a sand-coloured ceremonial robe and hood. The Knight Errant have armour in more subtle tones of darker greys and non-metallic browns and are often daubed with a disruptive pattern suitable for the local terrain. Since Task Forces of Halo Knights are never statically organized, a Knight’s personal heraldry adorns either the right shoulder or knee pad; the Chapter Icon of the Halo’d Sword adorns the left or both shoulders. Veterans are distinguished by the reversal of the Chapter colours on the shoulders, silver trim on bronze; the helmet is also bronzed.
WIPs
RPC – Yeomen Vigilant
Third place, which will be getting the 10-man Tactical Squad:
Submitted by David:
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Name: |
Yeomen Vigilant |
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Founding chapter: |
Imperial Fists |
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Founding: |
2nd Founding |
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Chapter Master: |
Ezekiel Toredor |
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Homeworld: |
Selentine |
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Fortress-Monastery: |
Selentine |
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Main colours: |
Red, Tan, Black |
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Specialty: |
Counter Attack |
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Battle Cry: |
"To this, the First Death!" |
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Estimated strength: |
6 companies, diminished first company ( dim 1st, 2nd, 4th,7th, 8th, 9th ) |
The Yeoman Vigilant Chapter is a second founding chapter of the Imperial Fists. Their homeworld, Selentine, is on the Eastern fringe. Their Fortress Monastery is in a desert garden, and is called Dark Eden. Those that come out of Dark Eden are outwardly straightforward, but always seem to have a hint of thought just out of reach.
Organization:
Yeoman initiates are chosen almost at random from an outside observer. The recruiters call it "Pruning the garden of humanity." Because of an overactive Catalepsen Node, all of the Chapter have recurring vivid dreams. These dreams shape the Chapter's decisions, and movements on a whole. Whenever a Yeoman suffers déjà vu when looking at a recruit, that recruit is accepted even if he does not pass trial. Each of these recruits, while taking longer to train, will be able to vivid dream almost immediately. Recruits are instructed by full initiates, often those with leadership value that have yet to make squad sergeant.
Chaplains make up the true leadership of the Yeoman Vigilant, as they are the interpreters of dreams and the guides of the Chapter. They, like in other Chapters, guide the spiritual heart, but they also guide the individual spirits of their wards. Chaplains guide scout sergeants, asking them to pay close attention to the dreams of the squad, making them become meticulous in their attention to detail both before and after their impants. Once the scouts become full-fledged Yeomen, they go directly to the chaplains of their company when their sergeant is unable to discern the meaning of the most recent vivid dream anomaly.
Librarians in the Yeoman Vigilant Chapter are kept apart from their battle brothers as soon as they are discovered, as a psyker a librarian can be known to influence the dreams of other battle brothers. The Chaplains of the company will make sure to separate the known psyker as soon as they can, so that the dreams of the company will not be influenced by a single yeoman.
Those that excel in leadership quickly go from Tactical sergeant to Veteran sergeant, and then into the Brotherhood (who have access to Terminator armour). Those in the Brotherhood can continue to lead their previous squad, or work as a brotherhood squad.
Before battle, any Yeoman may lead the litany of battle, if they feel so called. If that is well received, the chaplains will bestow litanies and prayer books on the chosen yeoman, and will fight with him in battle. If they find him lacking, they have him continue his studies. If he's found worthy, they bestow upon him black armour, and he will begin to be tutored directly by a senior chaplain for battle.
Colors:
The Yeoman Vigilant Chapter's colors are red, tan, and black, each significant to a battle-brother's life and training. As the chaplains teach, when a scout is chosen, he knows of the material plane, as the embodiment of reality; signified by tan, or sand coloring. And as the acolyte reaches scout level, he is bestowed blood red armour; for embodiment of self, knowledge of the body. When a scout is confirmed as a full battle-brother, he will receive black shoulderpads, showing that he has begun to learn the embodiment of death. As a brother fights more and more, he will be bestowed black armour plates, until he's accepted into the brotherhood, who wear all black, or the Chaplains, who wear black except for their white skull mask, noting the embodiment of the spirit.
The Marine pictured is a full battle-brother with at least twenty full scale missions completed.
Tactics:
The Yeoman Vigilant Chapter adheres to the codex astartes as a book of guidelines, and will adapt their tactics as they see fit guided by their dreams. More often than not, they will be in the right place at the right time for a counter charge, or show up to foil an enemy spearhead, with direction of the Chaplains, and they would be considered lucky if it did not continue to happen over and over again. Moderation in battle is something the chaplains teach early on, so the Yeoman do not have large numbers of either assault marines or devastators, they rely instead on the tactical marines.
Notable Members:
Chaplain Father Matthias is the oldest Space marine in the Yeoman Vigilant, who fought on Terra as an Imperial Fist before the Second Founding. His upper armour is white, noting his understanding of the embodiment of the spirit. He does not often lead as he is venerable for even a space marine, his skin feeling more like stone than leather. He is not one to be crossed, and the source of wisdom for the entire chapter. When he leads, it is because he's dreamt of the battle, and will override the chapter master's decisions. He is noted as a prophet, and will call a council of chaplains for study and scrutiny of certain details of the Chapter's dreams.
Ezekiel Toredor is the current Chapter Master for the Yeoman Vigilant Chapter, a recent addition after the previous chapter master, Argus Ulsus, led the spearhead assault against the Tyranid hiveship and ordered the battle barge entangled with it to self-destruct, lopping off the head of the Tyranid advance, and giving Imperial forces long enough to send reinforcements from navy shipyards in adjacent systems. Ezekiel is a competent leader who, while young for a Chapter Master, has charisma not seen in a Space Marine captain in quite some time. Whenever he meets an outside force commander, they cannot help but like him. This has helped when showing up seemingly randomly in the galaxy, to fight off a force that they did not even detect. He often wears brotherhood Terminator armour and wields a massive power mace.
Notable Campaigns:
Ork Invasion of Terminus Prima: 1st, 4th, and 8th companies deployed, Terminus Prima Held, Ork Waaagh continues to the galactic south.
Assault on Dark Eden: The Purged launch a lightning assault onto the fortress monastery, Chaplain Father Matthias and those under his command held the gates for twelve hours before reinforcements from nearby battle cruisers lifted the tide, 3rd company, 5th company completely lost.
Defense of Gratis Minor: 2nd company lands in system randomly a full week before tyranid hive ships appear in system. Tyranid fleet repelled, lost Cruisers "Dark Sword" and "Solomon's Redemption." Battle barge "Edenborn" badly damaged.
Crushing of Zarathian resistance: The campaign was only classified as a campaign after investigation. Not so much a series of battles, but a one-sided slaughter, tactical squads waded through ill-equipped, ill-trained resistance fighters, the inquisition later found the ritual site and plans for unleashing a daemon horde that was stopped by the 4th company. The 4th company after questioned was ignorant of any of the plans laid in Zarathia.
And the WIP (already primed and basecoated!):
RPC – Tenebrous Wraiths
Like I said, judging this contest was difficult! I essentially had a top 4 instead of a top 3. The prize for this one is a bit more than the single model.
Submitted by Josh at Blue Ink Alchemy:
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Name: |
Tenebrous Wraiths |
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Founding chapter: |
Imperial Fists |
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Founding: |
2nd Founding |
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Chapter Master: |
High Commander Brutus Obscurus |
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Homeworld: |
Second moon of Xellious VII, Hawking Sector (scoured) |
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Fortress-Monastery: |
The Cathedral-Dreadnought /Dies Irae Veniendum Est/ |
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Main colours: |
Shadow Grey, Brass Accoutrements |
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Specialty: |
Infiltration; Rapid Deployment & Deep Strikes; Hunting Heretics |
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Battle Cry: |
"From the Shadows! To Oblivion!" |
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Estimated strength: |
Unknown; hit-and-fade tactics make their numbers difficult to track. |
++++++++++ CLASSIFIED INFORMATION FOLLOWS - EYES ONLY - PUNISHABLE BY DEATH ++++++++++
We were unprepared for the sheer amount of civilians turned by this cult. You have to understand, most of the men under General Corvinus' command were career Guardsmen who'd chosen to settle on Serevar, raising families and establishing homes. To see those homes burned and familes and friends turned to mindless, screaming followers of some blaspehmous god was too much for some to bear.
Even the sight of the Chaos forces arriving through tears in the Warp didn't shake some of them from their catatonic states. The laspistols of the Commissars were working overtime. I was worried that so many summary executions would leave us without adequate forces to defend ourselves. The cultists had taken out our orbital links. Help would not arrive in time. It looked more and more like my Kasrkin and myself would be the last line of defense between those stalwart enough to hold to their faith and the seething, stripping, screaming tide of human flesh craving their blood.
We'd taken our positions. Thoroughfare barriers made for poor fortifications against the traitors and their archaic plasma weapons and artillery, but it was all we had. We told people to stay in their homes. We checked and re-checked our hellguns. We listened as the command post was overrun, General Corvinus falling back to behind our line. And I lead my men in prayer.
When I heard the bike engines, I feared the worst.
I couldn't see them, at first, but I could hear them. When I did catch a glimpse, it took precious seconds to register what I'd seen. It wasn't the garish colors and deadly spikes of the enemy armor. It was gray, like slate or cold steel, blending into the ferracrete of the buildings. Other figures took positions on top of the buildings behind us. I heard the phut-phut-phut of sniper rifle fire, and former friends and family began dropping, perfect holes in their faces, trampled underfoot by the meaty shields pushed by the traitorous warriors.
The sight gave my men hope. We opened fire with our hellguns. We burned body after body as they hurtled towards us. I couldn't count on our weapons being as effective on the ancient but powerful armor once worn by the Emperor's finest warriors, but what choice did we have? Kasrkin don't back down. Even when the traitors broke rank and charged us, raising vicious chainswords and opening fire with their bolters, we stood fast. We began to fall but we returned fire. I prayed I would live long enough to take at least a few of the blasphemous monsters with me.
And then the drop pods began to fall.
The one that landed directly behind us shook the ground, forcing us to our knees. By the time we recovered, between each one of us left standing was a Space Marine with a heavy weapon. In the field, the pods split open and gleaming warriors in the same grey armor I'd seen poured into the fray. One was sheathed in blue, the mark of the psykers they call Librarians. Was he the reason they'd arrived when they did? Had the path of the Chaos forces through the Warp gained their attention? Whatever the cause, the Space Marines destroyed the traitors and their heretic followers in short order.
General Corvinus came out to greet his saviors. I was too tired to protest. The Librarian met him, then stepped aside for an even taller warrior. He carried his helmet under one arm, his right hand resting on the bolt pistol holstered at his side. I heard Corvinus greet him as "High Commander". They traded a few words before the High Commander drew his sidearm and shot General Corvinus in the head. The Space Marine then turned his attention to me.
"You will lead these men."
With that, he and his battle-brothers left the field. My promotion was waiting for me when we returned to the garrison. We later learned Corvinus was engaged in heresey and Chaos worship himself, at least according to Inquisitorial sources. The agents who informed me of this also disclosed the Inquisitor who employs them is upset that the Space Marines arrived here before they could. That is, however, their opinion even if it is only one I share.
Repairs on the planet's surface continue and members of the Ecclesiarchy minister to the survivors. All is well, for now.
General Abram Kadeen
Interim Commander, Callimar 41st, Callimar Proxima
Report Filed [date redacted]
++++ THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Educate men without faith and you but make them clever devils. ++++
History:
The Imperial Wraiths were mustered out of the Imperial Fists during the Second Founding. The goal was for the Force Commander at the time, Titus Obscurus, to take initiates showing promise in infiltration and develop those skills along with standard combat training to carry out covert operations against the enemies of the Imperium. The Imperial Wraiths were ceded the second moon of Xellious VII in the Hawking Sector, with other planets in the sector serving as recruitment worlds.
However, not long after the chapter was established, tragedy struck. An excavation on Xellious IV unveiled an ancient artefact of unspeakable power. Before the Inquisition could intercede, the artefact was activated and Chaos energies swept over the planet. Aspects of every unclean god overthrew the minds and bodies of the population, and traitorous legions spewed forth from the Warp. Within a fortnight, the entire sector was in turmoil and the fortress-monestary on the second moon of the seventh planet was scoured by the fires of Tzeench.
After pitched combat with these forces, the Imperium managed to reclaim the sector. It seemed, however, that the Imperial Wraiths had been lost. Decades passed before evidence to the contrary emerged. On the other side of the Imperium, before any other Space Marines could respond to a planetary distress call, a massive cathedral-dreadnought dating back to the Horus Heresy emerged from the Warp. Drop pods in shades of grey rained from the sky, producing Space Marines with grim determination and heavy weaponry. They bore iconography that was a pale reflection of their previous symbols and called themselves the Tenebrous Wraiths.
Rumors are that it was one of the Wraith's own Librarians who oversaw the excavation of the artefact that nearly destroyed the chapter and they have chosen to remain apart from their battle brothers out of shame. An even more insidious contention is that they are in the throes of a Chaos god, a tool of deception to lull mankind into a false sense of security. While no injunction has been issued forbidding them from approaching Holy Terra as yet, the /Dies Irae Veniendum Est/ invokes as much dread as it does relief when it appears in orbit around a world. Their unpredictable movements, taciturn behavior and nihilistic prayers make others uneasy, but in combat they are every bit as implacable and righteous as their more boisterous battle brothers.
Organization:
In an attempt to allay some fears amongst the Inquisition, High Commander Brutus Obscurus submitted a general report on chapter strength to the Ordo Hereticus. His first contention was that at no time has the chapter deviated from the Codex Astartes, despite tumultuous periods in which the chapter astropaths struggled to navigate their massive home successfully through the Warp. He claimed the cathedral-dreadnought is home to four battle companies, each consisting of three tactical squads, three devastator squads and two assault squads, as well as a dedicated recruit company and a command company of five librarians, six chaplains, four squads of veteran space marines. The report contains a total mustered strength of just under four hundred battle brothers.
The only individuals permitted to ascend to the /Dies Irae Veniendum Est/ are recruits. Dignitaries, regional commanders and other Space Marines are always met elsewhere. This makes it difficult to gauge the exact nature and capabilities of this vessel, which is slightly larger than a battle barge but appears to carry fewer weapons. The Chapter does not maintain any other battle barges, only a handful of strike cruisers to escort their final bastion. Manufactorium parts and raw materials are either acquired in the field of battle or 'requisitioned' from planetary governments. Still, the Techmarines of the Tenebrous Wraiths appear to be up to date on current pattens of Imperial wargear, and no Space Marine of the chapter bears any appearance of Chaos influence.
Recently the Tenebrous Wraiths acquired the means to produce Terminator armour from the forges aboard the cathedral-dreadnought, but the Techpriests of Mars insist that such manufacture is time-consuming and costly in raw materials. Nevertheless, the chapter's armored strength remains diminished, with only six Land Raider variants, eight Predators and two Vindicators. They have no Whirlwinds or Land Speeders to speak of. They do, however, have a great number of Rhinos, Razorbacks and bikes, and it appears that the /Dies Irae Veniendum Est/ was retrofitted in such a way that most of its planetary bombardment capabilities have been replaced with increased Drop Pod capacity.
Heraldry:
The cloaked spectre of the Imperial Wraiths is gone, replaced with the stark skull-and-scythe iconongraphy the chapter now bears.
Previously, the colors of the chapter were white with yellow trim, in honor of Dorn's Imperial Fists. After their disgrace and absence, they opted for a gray pallate with brass trim that harkens back to the glory days before the Horus Heresey. The left pauldron always bears the icon of the chapter, while the right is colored to match one's squad: white for scout, green for tactical, orange for devastator, red for assault and silver for veterans.
Tactics:
The Wraiths often dispatch a Thunderhawk with scouts on bikes before making their main assault. These scouts report on enemy positions and strength. Once the field is mapped, drop pods rain from the sky. Against entrenched enemies, armored units may be dispatched, but in those cases the task of the armor is to breach the enemy defenses to allow rapid transports to surge into the enemy and dispense death by bolter and chainsword.
++++++++++ THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: It is better to die for the Emperor than to live for yourself. ++++++++++
"Let it be known we choose to stand in shadow.
We who have seen Man's heroes become villains.
We who remember the best of us falling to the worst.
We who seek to cleanse our Galaxy of our weaknesses.
Let it be known we protect the light of the Empire,
and in its shadow we stand eternal and vengeful.
We are the Wraiths. We shall not forget.
From the Shadows! To OBLIVION!" - Pre-battle benediction of the Tenebrous Wraiths
WIP is a diorama of two Honor Guard. I can't wait to paint that banner!
Click to enlarge
RPC – Stalwart Guardians
Third of the runners-up:
Submitted by Juventino:
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Name: |
Stalwart Guardians |
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Founding chapter: |
Iron Hands |
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Founding: |
3rd Founding, M32 |
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Chapter Master: |
Varren Tellos |
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Homeworld: |
Buldan, Segmentum Obscurus |
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Main colours: |
Grey, Yellow |
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Specialty: |
Defense |
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Estimated strength: |
10 companies ~ 900 Marines and Recruits |
Chapter History:
Formed during the 32nd Millennium, The Forging, also known as The Golden Age of the Imperium. Home world of Buldan In the Segmentum Obscurus, the chapter roughly following the Codex Astartes as a guideline but specialize in a slower more defensive combat doctrine.
Buldan massacre 923.m32 - The biggest battle yet for the relatively new chapter on the world called Buldan, a forge world that was under attack by the forces of the 3rd black crusade. The world in charge of high priority war repairs such as dreadnoughts, Land Raiders and Predator tanks from the Iron Hands, Space Wolves and the Night Watch space marine chapters, including three Warhound Titans from Legio Astorum. 6th and 7th company were all but wiped out,1st company taking extreme casualties, Before being able to destroy the invaders. Due to it being a world holding valuable armor for other chapters and the Titan Legio, the other Space Marine chapters donated a few dreadnought shells to the chapter.To this day the Stalwart Guardians call that forge world there home world,and can easily boast 3 times the amount of dreadnoughts then any other chapter.
Chapter Strength:
10 companies, approximately 800 battle brothers, 75 recruits and 61 dreadnoughts (a much higher number then the average chapter). Along with Land Raiders, Rhinos, Whirlwinds, Land Speeders, Predator tanks, and Vindicators.
Chapter Master - Varren Tellos, Next in line after the death of former chapter master Loth,Varren Tellos having a sharp tactical mind and wit, was assigned to the first company to fight amongst the heroes of their young chapter. First company arrived on Buldan just before the climax of the battle, that took the lives of both sixth company and eighth company. Of the three companies on planet for that battle,only 31 marines from 1st company survived the battlefield, 22 of which were crippled beyond measure, (including Varren) those 22 (their experience too valuable to lose and as they were survivors in the biggest battle for the chapter they are also a Iconic figures in a universe that knows only war) were entered into the armored cybernetic sarcophagi of a Dreadnought shell a mix between Mark IV and Mark V patterns (Varren was entered into a older model of Mark 3 one that is much more heavily armored noticeably slower but easily modified for different weapon load outs), and eventually were spread throughout the companies of the chapter.
Varren Tellos was announced Chapter Master after council was held the biggest factor being that Former Chapter Master Loth's last words announcing him as his successor. This led to some inner turmoil for many captains of the company were worried to have a dreadnought as their leader, one who could slumber for hundreds of years while the chapter was in need. Soon after Varren took the mantle of chapter masters of the Stalwart Guardians, for 8 millennium he has not once entered the deep slumber that all dreadnoughts yearn for. None are worried for that either,as his Captains and Chaplains and Apothecaries, Techmarines and battle brothers ,all fully under his command. Over the millennium Varren has pushed the Stalwart Guardians to even greater heights ,and this chapter fields more dreadnoughts then any other chapter known. For a reason Techmarines are not able to find out, the dreadnoughts of this chapter have a firmer hold over their identity,and though they are still subject of periods of sleep, they do not last nearly as long as they should. Out of the 22 marines that were entombed into powerful dreadnought shells, today in the 41st millennium only 8 Venerable ones remain: Venerable Castus, Serghar, Callidon, Ravilas, Icaris, Drustos, Attilas,and of course Varren Tellos.
The Stalwart Guardians don't dabble heavily in cybernetics like there founding chapter does.
Master of the Forge - Most senior Techmarine Haddos. The Stalwart Guardians are closer and venerated highly not just their dreadnought brethren but are closer to the Techmarines that visit Mars to learn the ways of the machine, they work better together essentially.
Also, of the 61 current dreadnoughts,they are never on the battlefield at the same time. Some sleep and the rest are spread evenly throughout the Chapter's companies besides the 10th scouting company.
Chapter Tactics:
When drop pods aren't an answer, the Stalwart Guardians prefer a slower but always progressing battle line. They are the treads of the Emperor's domain, and anything opposing them shall find its self crushed beneath their weight. They have a good armor detachment in every company, thanks to their brethren from the Iron Hands and their forge world home of Buldan. It is said though, that when a Stalwart Guardians detachment bunkers down in defense of an objective or a world,nothing can break them. The price they pay for such an impregnable defense is mobilization; they are slower when compared to the lightning fast White Scars for example.
Founding:
The reason for the split off from the Iron hands chapter was for many reasons, the bigger one being of the Chapter's faith. Though there Iron hand brethren praise the Emperor in a different manner one of the founders of the Stalwart Guardians didn't very much get behind, Iron Hands had Forge Fathers, men who reinforced that praising the machine aspect of the Emperor was more important. For the Stalwart Guardians they kept traditional and returned to the using of Chaplains, men who would spread piety throughout the companies.
WIP is a Sternguard Sergeant:
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RPC – Silent Defenders
Second of the runners-up:
Submitted by Rob:
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Name: |
Silent Defenders |
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Founding chapter: |
Iron Hands |
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Founding: |
22nd Founding |
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Chapter Master: |
Josiah Halo |
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Homeworld: |
Imentet (The Moorian Swamp) |
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Fortress-Monastery: |
Ogom |
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Main colours: |
Black and Chainmail, with Blue highlights |
|
Specialty: |
Defense and concealment |
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Battle Cry: |
"Hold in life! Hold in Death!" |
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Estimated strength: |
Approx 950 spread across 19 systems; including Approx 70 incorporated Astartes from other chapters. |
Formed in the late 37th Millennium, after a discovery on the dead world Ednevtta, in the Huldra system. Its discovery, marked as one of the most important of the millennium, and one of the most since the heresy itself. A small research team spotted unusual tachyon particles around the planet. Excavations in areas of the planet soon revealed unusual finds, for example bolter rounds and Astartes armour of unknown configurations. The team soon realized the significance of the planet and the council of terra put in immediate actions. The Iron hands dispatched a permanent team to become a new chapter, The Silent Defenders, specifically to defend the planet at all costs. The planet and surrounding system was removed from all records, all who knew of the planet silenced, and the planet declared “classification - defendere omnino nulla”.
At some point in the far future, the planet will be engaged in a large battle with forces unknown, and an enormous tachyon weapon will be used. This explosion will tear at reality itself, causing debris to be scattered backwards in time. Tech-priests work with thousands of servo-miners to carefully excavate this “future archeology” and carefully transport it back to mars. The Silent Defenders maintain its protection from all outsiders, as well as protecting the Tech-priests – the only ones allowed to leave the planet. Since then, 16 other planets have become under their protection. All of these are sites of enormous significance to the Imperium, but high risk should enemies of the Imperium take control of the planets. For example; the planet of Qabalah, which simultaneously exists in three separate locations in the universe at once, to the defiance of all known physics.
Originally without a home world, the chapter adopted the giga-planet of Imentet (known as “The Moorian Swamp”) when it came under their protection. Not originally a secret, “The Moorian Swamp” is the largest inhabited planet in the known universe. It is orbited by two dwarf stars and twelve moons, and is roughly half the size of the sol solar system. The planet is inhabited by the largest xenos in the galaxy, low intelligence tetrapeds called Alanti. Enormous herbivores, each dwarfing titans in size, they have been compared to ancient cows from ancient terra’s history. Attempts to make use of these animals for food or labour have failed in every attempt, and the high council has considered many times the exterminatus of the planet. However the sheer amount of explosive materials required for exteminatus would far exceed current stockpiles, so the planet has been left under the care of the Astartes. There are 112 hive colonies on the planet, all built upon the backs of these huge creatures, as attempts to build on the ground level soon became…trampled.
In the wake of the Tyranid threat, the planet has been classed as “defendere omnino nulla” due to the enormous amount of biomaterial on the planet. Should the Tyranids ever discover it, they could create a fresh hive fleet the size of kraken within cycles. Imperium news broadcasts reported the planet destroyed by supernova, and in a rare alliance with Craft-world An-Iolsus, moved the planet several light-years out of position and away from official shipping lanes. Since then the planet has been guarded by the Silent Defenders, and their hive cities have become recruitment hubs for the Astartes.
Structure
Each world’s forces act independently, under the command of a “Lord of the Veil”. Only the lords are allowed communication with anyone outside of the chapter. The Chapter-Master is known as “The Shrouded Master.”
The Silent Defenders, originally maintaining an armour uniform very similar to the Iron Hands, changed their armour designs in the early 39th millennium, to match armour pieces found at the site. Sergeants and higher authority figures wear robes similar to Dark Angels. Their left shoulders have a grey wall upon a black background.
The chapter will never respond to distress signals, unless within a defended sector. In the event of an emergency request or battle in their sector, the chapter will mobilize to destroy all enemies entirely, for even one to ship to escape would be a tragedy. Imperial civilians will be sent to Ednevtta to become servitors for the excavation team, and Astartes are forced to become part of the chapter. However, these Astartes are treated with great respect, and permitted to wear the symbol of their old chapter on their right shoulder as recognition of their origin.
They strongly favour defensive weapons, such as storm shields, preferring the enemy to expend their energy first before striking. However, in contrast, they maintain a large amount of land speeder storm configurations, to ensure the enemy does not escape back to report their locations. They also have a large amount of librarians armed with psychic hoods, to prevent any psychic messages escaping from the battle.
There is little rivalry between members of the chapter, and they pride themselves on the strength of their defense, rather than the ferocity of their kills. If a disagreement between astartes should evolve into physical violence, the rule of engagement is such as whomever falls upon the ground first is the loser – they have failed to hold the line.
Notable Members
Josiah Halo
In the late 38th, excavation site 152b in the southern hemisphere detected a huge concentration of tachyon particles. Suspecting this may be the initial explosion site, the team focused heavily on the area. Approx 20km down from the surface a suit of tactical dreadnought armour of unknown configuration was found embedded in graphium rock.
Techpriests and servitors worked tirelessly to remove the suit in one piece, and after several hours it was freed from its rock tomb. Much to the surprise of the archeologists, the suit was not only found to be functioning, but still contained its pilot, all-be-it in a comatose condition.
Freed from his suit, apothecaries managed to revive and heal the Astartes. Unable to remember is much more than his name and rank, he was interrogated by the Ordo Hereticus inquisitors for months. They eventually declared him sane, loyal and fit to return/begin work with the chapter, he returned to his original role as bodyguard to The Shrouded Master. He cannot remember any details from before his interment, but his battle technique and tactics are many years beyond current levels. He was re-equipped his original terminator armour, (after it was exhaustively examined by tech-priests). The suit, more resembling Adeptus Custodes then normal TDA, is able to fire small bursts of electricity through its curved lightning claws.
After 531 cycles he became the current Shrouded Master, based primarily on the sentient city of Ogom (declared “defendere omnino nulla” on 5/431/21/M40).
Click to enlarge
WIP is an Assault Marine, packing some serious future-tech plasma weaponry:
RPC – Dream Reapers
Here are the first of the runners-up, which are presented in no particular order:
Submitted by Colonel Shofer:
|
Name: |
Dream Reapers |
|
Founding chapter: |
Ultramarines |
|
Homeworld: |
Laurentix |
|
Main colours: |
Blue, Teal |
The Dream Reapers (Somniorum Messores) originated from a noble detachment of Ultramarines, which accompanied an Imperial Guard division. They, in turn, were protecting settlers and miners terraforming Laurentix, long before the Eye of Terror era.
"Speak Not to Me of Men's Noble Dreams.I Have Witnessed Such Blasphemy, in the Slumbering Minds of Self-Appointed Righteous Men,
And I Can Truly Say, That the Foulest Gods of Chaos Have Little More to Offer,
When Deceit and Sin Are The Only Measure of These Men's Fantasies."
Volens
Cupiens
Esuriens
Invidens
Livens
Hoc modo genus humanum ad chaos movet
So humanity moves towards chaos.
Here's the WIP, a Vanguard Veteran:
Click to enlarge
Reverse Painting Contest!
Hey, remember me? Life has been crazy, and while I've had the chance to paint, I haven't really had the motivation to post. I have, however, been brewing up an idea in my brain stem! It's Christmas, and I'd like to give something away. I found a Battleforce for $90 and tossed the winnings from my last tournament at it, so in reality, it's wound up costing me $50. And in the spirit of giving, I'm going to run a contest and give it away!
Contest Details
What you have to do: Create a Space Marine chapter! And when I say "create," I mean from the ground up. Name, Colors and Herladry are the absolute minimum requirements, but this contest isn't going to be judged on looks alone - you need to flesh out the character of the chapter. If you want a good example of what I'm looking for, take a look at the Lexicanum entries on Doom Eagles, Mantis Warriors and Red Scorpions.
Note that this has to be an original work. Do not submit fluff for your version of the Ultramarines' 5th Company.
You don't need to provide every last detail about your chapter, but a good range of information is advisable. You'll also need to provide an image of a marine from your chapter - I highly recommend the Bolter & Chainsword Space Marine Painter.
If you've previously created a chapter and you think it's already pretty good, that's cool! Feel free to submit it.
So what's likely to win? I can't really say until I start seeing entries, but I'm looking for something that really carves itself out as original while still remaining true to the 40k/Space Marine essence.
PRIZES!
So I said this was a "reverse painting contest," right? Well, here's how the prizes work: Once I've chosen the winning entries, I will assemble and paint the stuff out of the Battle Force box in the colors and heraldry of the winners!
1st Place: Magnetized Rhino*
2nd Place: 10-man Tactical Squad
3rd Place: 5-man Assault Squad and 5-man Scout Squad
Just to be clear:
The prizes will come fully assembled and painted in the colors and heraldry of the winner of that prize!
And believe you me, I will be dipping deep into my bitz boxes to round these out. It's not going to be just the stuff I find in the Battleforce box. I've already grabbed a bunch of stuff to make everything look great.
I will keep as true to your created fluff as possible in regards to assembling and painting, but the customization will be all mine. Also, please let me know which Codex I should work from: Space Marines, Blood Angels, Space Wolves, Black Templars or Dark Angels. It shouldn't really matter, but you never know what crazy ideas I might get.
* When I say magnetized, I mean ready to turn into a Razorback/Whirlwind/Predator if you've got the bitz, and containing almost every option. It'll have a removable Storm Bolter and Hunter/Killer missile with option turret hatches, removable doors, etc.
Particulars
The contest runs from right now until December 31st, 2011.
Entries must be emailed to me, and must contain separate images of your marine and chapter symbol. Text should be in any format readable by Microsoft Word 2007 (copied into the body of your email is fine).
When you email me your entry, leave a post here letting me know, just in case my spam filter eats it.
If you've happened upon my site because of this contest, please join me on Google Friend Connect (right there on the left-hand side under Tags).
I will be judging the entries myself, and all of them will be posted on this site around one per day after I get done with the judging, runners-up first, then 3rd, 2nd, and 1st place winner. I will then begin posting WIP shots of the prizes. I will make every effort to ship them to their respective winners on or before February 29th, 2012.
One entry per person, please!
Good luck! If you've got questions, ask them below and I will answer for everyone to see.
Red’s Corps comp update
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Almost finished and starting to look good. Commander Aran has a few days of growth. In the the grim darkness of the far future, sometimes you go for days without a shave.
But I'm not just working on one model for this competition...
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Since my rules for Commander Aran allow you to take a jump pack command squad, I figured I should probably include that.
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Company Champion, Brother-Sergeant Laertes.
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Brother-Sergeant Polis.
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Brother-Sergeant Tressos, Company Standard Bearer.
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Brother Saulebrei, Company Apothecary.
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And finally, Brother Rutheki, who has been selected for service in Commander Aran's command squad as a prelude to promotion to Brother-Sergeant. If he survives.
Sebastos Aran – WIP
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We've got Vanguard Sergeant Culln's body and Jump Pack, pauldrons from one of Loth's honour guard, a set of Grey Knight arms with sword and storm bolter, and a Blood Angel head. By their powers combined, they are Commander Sebastos Aran, 8th Company Captain! He's basecoated with Citadel Chaos Black spray, then hit with a 2:1 mix of Vallejo Model Air grey primer and black, followed up with a 3:2 highlight and then a 4:1 highlight. Washes should start to give him a lot more life.
Click to enlarge
One of these days I'm going to figure out how to get the entire model in focus. Until then, I'll just be all artsy. I think I'm going to rebase him - this base is low to begin with, and he seems a bit too low to the ground.
Red’s Corps Competition – Starters
So, my life is about to change drastically with an addition to the family, which means about the only thing I'm (hopefully) going to get to paint this month is my entry for Red's Corps' "Create a Character for the Red Scorpions" Contest. Here's the fluff and rules (so far - they may change slightly).
Hat tip to reader Elle for input on the points - I'm closer to your suggestion than my original points.
Commander Sebastos Aran, 8th Company Captain
Click to enlarge
The battle-brothers of the 8th Company of the Red Scorpions are commanded by Commander Sebastos Aran, a warrior who has exemplified the doctrine of swiflty delivering overwhelming force. Already well-known for his hand-to-hand combat skills by the time he was granted power armour, Sebastos truly found his calling the first time he donned a jump pack. His superiors were impressed by his ability to think in three dimensions and view the shifting and chaotic landscape of the battlefield like a massive, quickly-moving game of chess. Aran served a longer than average term in the 8th Company, rising quickly to senior Sergeant and then twice declining promotion to the main battle companies in favor of training newly-promoted battle brothers.
A veteran of over 50 battles before finally accepting promotion to a main battle company, Aran served as a Devastator and Tactical marine as dictated by the Codex Astartes. Such assignments were brief, however, and in short order, he again donned his jump pack and assumed the mantle of senior Assault Sergeant of the 5th Company. He did not remain there long, and is noted for having one of the quickest ascents from reserve to veteran companies in the Chapter's annals. Earning himself a place in the 1st Company's Vanguard, Aran again rose swiftly to command his own squad. His courageous service during the Siege of Vraks along side the future Lord High Commander Carab Culln earned him a promotion back to his original reserve company as its commander, where his strategic acumen and rigorous training methods are responsible for a new generation of highly-effective Assault Marines.
During the Badab War, Commander Aran led his reserve company on a number of engagements, relieving beleaguered front-line units and arriving at tide-turning moments to smash traitorous forces. Not one to sit back and observe the battle lines from afar, he earned much renown for leading by example, streaking over the battlefield at the head of a wave of Assault Marines to rain fury upon the enemy. Once engaged, his forces were often compared to the dervishes of old, spinning from foe to foe with murderous fury and cleaving a ragged path for the second wave to clean up. Such were the successes of the 8th Company that many of Aran's charges were promoted directly to the main battle companies. Aran himself was offered no less than three different promotions in the wake of the Badab campaign, including command of the 4th Company, all of which he declined.
Special Rules
And They Shall Know No Fear, Combat Tactics, Independent Character
Unto the Breach!: As the commander of an all-assault company and former Vanguard Veteran, Commander Aran's approach to warfare is swift and direct. Content to let tactical companies provide a steady advance and supply lines, he favors a highly mobile strategy and always commands from the front. If your army includes Sebastos Aran, a single Command Squad that you include may purchase Jump Packs at +50 points.
Strike of the Scorpion: The Codex Astartes dictates that Assault Marines should strike hard and fast at the vanguard on an attack, and Sebastos has forged his entire career around that concept. Not content to simply pick a target and annihilate it, he prefers to smash into enemy lines head on and blaze about like a whirlwind, leaving a path of destruction and disoriented defenders in his wake. Sebastos Aran and any unit he joins have the Hit and Run universal special rule.
Wargear
Glimmer: This massive, two-handed sword has a long and storied history within the annals of the Red Scorpion's Librarium. The details of the forging of the dusky grey blade are unknown, but it has been in the Chapter's armoury for at least a milennia, passing from chapter hero to chapter hero as such blades are wont to do. Glimmer was granted to Aran upon his appointment to command the 8th Company, and the blade once again sits in the hands of an honoured warrior, carving a swath through the Emperor's enemies and increasing its own fame. In hushed whispers amongst the Chapter's techmarines, it is suggested that the sword was forged on Titan and is one of the mysterious Nemesis Force Swords of the Grey Knights chapter. If in fact it is, the Grey Knights themselves must surely be aware that one of their fabled blades has passed out of their possession, but they have made no claim to it. Glimmer is a relic blade that grants Sebastos Aran a 3+ invlunlerable save in close combat.
Sebastos Aran - 180 points
| WS | BS | S | T | W | I | A | Ld | Sv | |
| Sebastos Aran | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 10 | 3+ |
Unit Composition:
Wargear:
|
Unit Type:
Special Rules:
|
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