Index Astartes: Vigilant Fists

Steadfast defenders and servants of the Imperium, the Vigilant Fists are members of the Astartes Praeses, created with the express purpose of guarding the regions surrounding the Eye of Terror. And they have taken this task to heart, for where other Chapters are free to seek fame and glory, these unsung heroes have stood guard against the darkness since the thirty-second millennium. Even now with the galaxy split in half and their homeworld in ruins, the Chapter keeps fighting and refuses to abandon hope.

"Let us light the way, Brothers!"

– First Chapter Master, Alcaeus Rex

On the first day of the thirty-second millennium, the historical 3rd founding was initiated. Completely new Chapters were created from the genetic material of the old Legions, bolstering the numbers of the overexerted Adeptus Astartes across the galaxy. Spurred by Abaddon the Despoiler’s first Black Crusade, several of these Chapters were drafted into the Astartes Praeses, tasked with reinforcing Imperial forces in the troubled Segmentum Obscurus and protecting the Imperium from further invasions from the Eye of Terror. One such Chapter was made from the geneseed of Rogal Dorn's Imperial Fists, chosen for his Legion's unflinching bravery during the defense of Terra. They were named the Vigilant Fists and would bring the Emperor's light to the darkest corner of the galaxy.

Gifted with the mighty Battle Barge, Undying Light, a cadre of Imperial Fists veterans lead the new Chapter towards Segmentum Obscurus. After a nearly two centuries long crusade of reclamation, their initial campaign came to an end with the First Defense of Lucerna. The battle saw the entire Chapter deployed on and above Lucerna, a planet cut off from the Imperium during the Horus Heresy, now occupied by a large warband of Word Bearers, dead set on turning the populace from the Emperor's light. Although losses were grievous, the Fists were victorious and recognized as saviors by the Lucernan people, who themselves had been defiant in the face of Chaos and fought bravely, despite their inferior training and wargear. Impressed, the Fists took Lucerna under their protection and claimed it as the Chapter’s homeworld.

Since then, the Fists have made their name in the fight against Chaos, fulfilling their duties as guardians to such a degree that they have teetered on the brink of destruction many times. During the Age of Apostasy, they suffered heavy losses from the traitor hordes taking advantage of the internal power struggle. During the Gothic War, the Chapter was spread thin trying to contain the invading forces and hunt down bands of raiders who managed to slip through the Cadian Gate. For nearly nine millennia the Vigilant Fists have stood their ground, and Lucerna has been a bulwark in the defense of the Imperium. Unyielding as a lighthouse; a symbol of humanity in a dark tempest. Yet when the Thirteenth Black Crusade poured out from the Eye of Terror, the Fists’ resolve was not enough to save their homeworld. 

“This world shines with the light that guides us.”

– First Chapter Master, Alcaeus Rex.

Lucerna is located in Segmentum Obscurus in the galactic north, south of the Eye of Terror in the Turbatus sub-sector. A beautiful terrestrial planet covered in wide oceans, deep forests and high mountains, similar to Holy Terra of ages long gone, Lucerna stood in stark contrast to much of its surrounding systems. To the Fists, Lucerna was the very symbol of everything the Emperor fought for and made it their sacred duty to forever protect the world.

Settled during the Great Crusade, this prosperous civilized world became a testament of the Emperor’s vision for the human empire. Due to its isolation during the Heresy, Lucerna was unscathed by the fires of war, and remained a tranquil world until it was rediscovered. Even in times of conflict between the various Lucernan states, the people raised great leaders, able to unite the whole population and uphold the harmony. The great Lucernan library, cherished by both the people and their Astartes protectors, contained art, relics and documents from the times before the Heresy, ensuring that knowledge of the Imperium survived. Lucerna never forgot about the Emperor, and in time the people came to believe that He would one day return.

Fully aware of the Astartes presence on their world, the Lucernan populace looked towards their guardians with great reverence. To have a member of the family join the Chapter’s ranks was an immense honor. The Fists rarely involved themselves with matters of planetary rule, preferring to serve and only intervene when necessary. After rejoining the Imperium, the planet became the primary source of recruits for the Chapter and the Lucernan Planetary Defense Force evolved into a formidable military organization. The PDF has fought side by side with the Fists on many occasions, even off-world on occasion, defending the Lucernan system and beyond.

Yet no matter how capable the Lucernan PDF was, it would not be enough. As the Thirteenth Black Crusade laid waste to the Segmentum, the Fists divided their forces over several battlefronts. In the turmoil that followed the opening of the Great Rift, Lucerna was cut off from the bulk of the Fists' strength. Contact was lost and only a handful of Astartes remained on the planet. The Fists engaged elsewhere never learned the exact details of what happened, but when they finally returned to Lucerna, the planet was overrun by Chaos forces and warp storms threatened to consume the system.  Although bled dry from the Black Crusade, what remained of the Chapter charged into the fray in a desperate attempt to save their people. They managed to temporarily secure their Fortress-Monastery, evacuating as many as they could from all over the planet while turning ancient cities to dust with orbital bombardment to keep the enemy at bay. Stubborn as they were, even the Vigilant Fists realized that staying would mean their doom. And so they left Lucerna, their home for millennia, barely escaping with less than three companies’ worth of Astartes, spread among the battered remains of their fleet.

The Lighthouse, the now ruined Fortress-Monastery of the Fists, sits dark and silent surrounded by ice and rock near the northern pole. Inspired by the fortifications of Terra, the Fortress-Monastery was an impressive sight, with layers upon layers of massive walls and defense mechanisms. Most of the Chapter's facilities were kept below the surface, as an added protection against orbital bombardment, but atop the highest point of the Lighthouse, a great fire burned for millennia, kept alive by a constant stream of natural gas that produced a bright blue flame. Reflected by the ice of the surrounding tundra, melding with northern lights, the Fortress bathed in an ethereal aura. Known as the Flame of the Emperor, this fire was of great symbolic importance to the Fists, representing the light of Mankind in the darkness of space. Though the great fire atop the Lighthouse has gone out, a remnant of this flame still burns in the inner chambers of the Battle Barge, Undying Light, fueled by a dwindling supply of gas from their lost homeworld.

“They will be remembered, and they will be avenged.”

 – Current Chapter Master, Marcos Savvor.

Following the fall of Lucerna, the Vigilant Fists became a fleet-based Chapter, and their ancient flagship Undying Light once again serves as the Chapter’s home. This venerable Battle Barge bears the scars of countless battles and is one of their most valued assets. Of the rest of their once impressive fleet only four Strike Cruisers survived and a handful of support vessels. Aside from the few artifacts they managed to secure during their escape, many priceless relics of the Chapter's long and glorious history were also lost.

The Chapter might have been disbanded at any other point in history had it not been for the arrival of a Torchbearer task force from the Imdomitus Crusade, carrying Primaris Astartes and technology. The Fists embraced the reinforcements as what it was called – the “Primarch’s Gift”.  When presented with the opportunity to cross the Rubicon Primaris, all who could did, seeing it as the final test to prove themselves worthy to continue as a Chapter.

The Vigilant Fists remain a Codex Adherent Chapter, having followed the traditional ten company structure for most of their existence, and while still under strength, the companies are recovering their numbers. For some time, a sizable remnant of Lucernan PDF survivors supported their efforts, having sworn their short lives to serve the Fists however they could. A handful of Lucernan refugee children even joined the ranks of the Fists themselves, some of which still fight on.

Little time has been wasted on licking their wounds, as Chapter Master Marcos Savvor has declared a crusade of atonement, vowing to restore their honor by reclaiming lost territory and avenging their fallen brothers. Some quietly hope to one day retake their homeworld as well.

“We are the Wardens, We are the Walls.”  

– Mantra of the 2nd Company, the Radiant Ramparts.

As members of the Astartes Praeses, duty requires the Fists to frequently fight alongside other Imperial organizations. They have gained a reputation for throwing themselves into combat to support their allies, occasionally forgoing comprehensive planning in favor of providing aid as fast as possible. As a consequence, the Fists do not always fight on their own terms, having participated in numerous defensive operations as well as other tasks unusual for Astartes. This approach has proven to be very strenuous and often stretches the Chapter thin as they strive to answer every call for aid. The Fists themselves see this as a natural part of their responsibilities, not a strategic weakness, but a tactical challenge to overcome.

Whilst they have been known for their lack of planning, it is in the heat of battle the Fists have gained their renown. They have always been flexible warriors, able to quickly react to an ever-changing combat situation and have become famous for their ability to adapt and improvise. Cooperation with allied organizations has always been important to the Fists, and to effectively work together with another fighting force, one must be able to take advantage of each other’s strengths. As such, they strive to excel in all areas of combat so that they may better support their allies.

Like many descendants of the Imperial Fists, the Vigilant Fists have inherited a reluctance to accept defeat. This can sometimes blind them to risk, as they fight on where other Chapters would fall back. The Fists view it as essential for a servant of the Emperor to be willing to die in battle, and the Chaplains constantly preach of self-sacrifice. Only by the supreme sacrifice of some of the greatest Imperial heroes, like Rogal Dorn or the Emperor Himself, does the Imperium still stand. Their resolute nature has frequently put them at risk, but is also what keeps them fighting on where others would give up.

“We fight the battles others cannot win. We suffer the pain others cannot endure. We face the horrors others cannot withstand.

For we are Astartes; This is our duty, and we embrace it.” 

– Chapter Teachings.

The cult of the Vigilant Fists places great emphasis on humility, self-sacrifice, and loyalty. They see themselves as servants of the Emperor and therefore protectors of humanity. All who live under the light of the Emperor are worthy of their protection, and the Fists are known for their tolerance of both ordinary humans and even ab-humans. Unlike many Chapters, the Fists are not exceedingly proud or self-absorbed, but humble and reserved. They exist to serve mankind, not the other way around. They value the division of power in the empire as essential, but they also strongly believe that if mankind is to be victorious, the forces of the Imperium must work together. Their humbleness and willingness to collaborate has earned them many allies within the Adeptus Astartes and other Imperial organizations.

During their existence, the Fists have developed a conviction that the Emperor will one day rise from the Golden Throne, and unite humanity against Chaos. Their duty is to keep the Imperium safe, until the Emperor returns and leads them in a second Great Crusade. With the advent of the Indomitus Crusade and the Psychic Awakening, the Fists' belief has only strengthened, fueling their actions with a near zealous fervor, unlike anything they have displayed before. However, this is undoubtedly influenced by their recent losses, producing a deep thirst for vengeance as well. 

The Vigilant Fists continue to bear an intense hatred for Chaos in all its forms, and it is abhorred for its corrupting touch. Falling to the Dark Gods is the greatest betrayal to the Emperor and cannot be tolerated. They consider the Ruinous Powers to be the ultimate threat and the Fists show no mercy when it comes to the annihilation of Chaos. They have been especially vigorous during the various Black Crusades over the millennia, and this in turn has earned them the hatred of many Chaos worshipers. To them, Lucerna was the greatest provocation; a torch burning with the flame of the False Emperor.

“Death before Defeat!”

– Chapter Warcry.

Like most sons of Dorn, the zygote cultures required to grow both the Betcher's gland and the Sus-an membrane were lost or damaged over the millennia, but the Fists did not mourn these losses, and despite their proximity to the Eye of Terror, their geneseed has remained stable with no signs of mutation. Now, with the integration of Primaris technology, the geneseed’s strength has been solidified, and the Vigilant Fists are once again ready to fight against the endless horrors of the universe and bring light to the darkness.

"Friend or foe, let them all know - we carry His light for all to see."

– Master of Sanctity Kai Zuros.

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