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+++ Void Slayers +++ ‘Weak minds beget weak deeds.’ + Lore + Index Astartes: Void Slayers + Art + Chapter Heraldry --- Index Astartes Version History Original Post Initial Outline ---

Index Astartes: Heralds of Light The Heralds of Light are steadfast defenders and servants of the Imperium. As members of the Astartes Praeses, they were created with the express purpose of guarding the regions surrounding the Eye of Terror, and have taken their task to heart. Where other Chapters are free to seek fame and glory, these unsung heroes have stood valiantly 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 refuse to abandon hope. Origins '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. 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 gene-seed of Rogal Dorn's Imperial Fists, chosen for his Legion's unflinching bravery during the defense of Terra. They were named the Heralds of Light and would bring the Emperor's radiance to the darkest corner of the galaxy. Gifted with a mighty Battle Barge, the Undying Light, a cadre of Imperial Fists veterans lead the new Chapter towards Segmentum Obscurus on a glorious crusade of reclamation. After nearly two centuries, 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. Although the losses were grievous, the Heralds were victorious and recognized as saviors by the Lucernan people. The Lucernan had been defiant in the face of Chaos and fought bravely, despite their inferior training and equipment. Impressed, the Heralds took Lucerna under their protection and claimed it as the Chapter’s new homeworld. Since that time the Heralds 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, the Heralds were nearly wiped out fighting the traitor hordes taking advantage of the internal power struggle. The Chapter was spread thin during the Gothic War trying to contain the invading forces, hunting down bands of Raiders who managed to slip through the Cadian Gate. For nearly nine millennia the Heralds of Light 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 Herald’s resolve was not enough to save their homeworld. 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 Heralds, 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 Heralds rarely involved themselves with matters of planetary rule, preferring to serve, only intervening if requested to or when it was absolutely 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 organisation. The PDF has fought side by side with the Heralds on many occasions, even off-world when necessary, defending the Lucernan system and beyond. No matter how capable the Lucernan PDF was, it would not be enough. As the Thirteenth Black Crusade laid waste to the Segmentum, the Heralds 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 Herald’s strength. Contact was lost and only a handful of Astartes remained on the planet. The Heralds themselves 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 Heralds of Light 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 Heralds 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 Watchtower, the now ruined Fortress-Monastery of the Heralds, sits dark and silent surrounded by ice and rock near the northern pole. Built in the architectural style of Rogal Dorn, undeniably inspired by the defenses of Terra, the Fortress-Monastery was an impressive sight. The outer layers consisted mainly of massive walls and defense mechanisms, while most of the Chapter facilities were below the surface, as an added protection against orbital bombardment. But in the center, on the highest point of the Watchtower, a great fire burned for millennia, kept alive by a constant stream of a 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 Heralds, representing the light of Mankind in the darkness of space. Though the great fire atop the Watchtower has gone out, a remnant of this flame still burns in the inner chambers of the Undying Light, fueled by a dwindling supply of gas from their lost homeworld. Organisation “They will be remembered! They will be avenged!” – Current Chapter Master, Marcus Savvor. Following the fall of Lucerna, the Heralds of Light became a fleet-based Chapter. The Undying Light, the ancient flagship of their fleet, 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 Heralds 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 Heralds of Light remain a Codex Adherent Chapter, having followed the traditional ten company structure for most of their existence. While still under strength, the companies are recovering their numbers, and the Chapter is also supported by a sizable remnant of the Lucernan PDF survivors who swore their short lives to serve the Heralds. Even a handful of Lucernan refugee children have joined the ranks of the Heralds themselves. Little time has been wasted on licking their wounds, as Chapter Master Marcus 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. Combat Doctrine “We are the Wardens! We are the Walls.” – 2nd Company Mantra. As members of the Astartes Praeses, duty requires the Heralds 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 Heralds 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 Heralds 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 Heralds have gained their renown. The Heralds have always been a flexible fighting force, 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 Heralds, 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 Heralds have inherited a reluctance to accept defeat. This can sometimes blind the Heralds to risk, as they fight on where other Chapters would fall back. The Heralds themselves view it as absolutely necessary 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. Beliefs “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 Heralds 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 Heralds are known for their tolerance of both ordinary humans and even ab-humans. Unlike many Chapters, the Heralds are not exceedingly proud or self-absorbed, but humble and reserved. They exist to serve mankind, not the other way around. The Heralds value the division of power in the empire as absolutely necessary, 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 Heralds 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 Heralds 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 Heralds of Light 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 Heralds 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. Geneseed “Cut through the night.” – Chapter Motto. The zygote cultures required to grow both the Betcher's gland and the Sus-an membrane have been lost or damaged over the millennia, but like all sons of Dorn the Heralds do not mourn these losses. Despite their proximity to the Eye of Terror, the Heralds' geneseed has remained remarkably stable with no signs of mutation. Now, with the integration of the Primaris technology, the geneseed’s integrity has been solidified. The Heralds are once again ready to fight against the endless horrors of the universe and bring light to the darkness. --- Original Discussion Topic

View File Index Astartes - Heralds of Light An Index Astartes article detailing the homegrown Chapter of the Adeptus Astartes, the Heralds of Light. Submitter Codex Grey Submitted 03/16/22 Category Background (Lore)  

The Mazer Rackham Studio Press Presents: ++ Index Astartes: Scions of Gehenna ++ (V 2.0) Introduction: "Rogal Dorn, The Imperial Fist, my Son...you have failed. You did not save me from Horus...now you cannot save your Legion...and more - you cannot save the Imperium..." The Primarch was awake in a moment. Dark dreams clouded his mind, even as black warplate adorned his flesh. His vision was shattered – his own sons lying broken and scattered across the wasteland of the Iron Cage. The Iron Warriors would suffer for it. His kin would avenge. They would scourge the traitors from the galaxy, as would all his sons, until the end of humanity itself. Whether they were a Legion or not. +++ The old Scions of Gehenna can be found here: http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/261719-ia-scions-of-gehenna/?p=3185510 in the dim and distant past of these hallowed halls. I thought it was time to try and dust them off and update them a bit. I'm going to try and keep the new version true to their roots, but with an updated focus on the squad level, since really this IA is in support of a DW RPG character or two. Concepts/ideas: Founded as the Legiones Ducemus Ferrum (High Hothic) by the 116th Writ of Succession by the High Lords, form Imperial Fist Genestock. Cognomen: The Iron Dukes Legion Founding date: 052.M32 (3rd Founding) Did not attend the summons in 544.M32 to attend the “Last Wall Protocol” Reason for Founding: Standing Force, Chaos Incursion Countermeasure. Geneseed Purity: New Generation (an attempt to correct Sus-An Membrane deficiency – failed, both Betchers’ Gland and Sus-An Membrane do not function). Chapter Demeanour: Cleanse and Purify Chapter Flaw: Faith in Suspicion – The Scions of Gehenna (The Gehinnom) do not trust the Ecclesiarchy, since the Incident of Glass and Darkness in 209.M36. Chapter RPG Characteristic Modifiers: +5 BS, +5 Willpower Figure of Legend: Chapter Master Renthus Draekor, lost in the warp 092.M33 Homeworld: Aridenus Secundus (Civilised, Urban but now Post apocalyptic, Feudal) Homeworld Relationship: Stewardship Organisation: Divergent (Inception) Unique (Current) Specific Chapter Wargear: Modified Throne Pattern Shotgun The Throne: A reinforced Astartes Shotgun, or a fully automatic Astartes Assault variant, the Throne and its ammunition is simpler to manufacture than Boltguns and Bolt shells. As supplies dwindled during the final years of the Great Siege, desperate times called for equally desperate measures, and the Throne was issued to Brethren in place of the holy Bolter as stocks dwindled through attrition. Combat Doctrine: Siege and Urban Warfare Operation Specialists Chapter Belief System: Revere the Primarch (Rogal Dorn) Chapter Friends: Adeptus Mechanicus (Ordo Centurio Ordinatus Gehenna) Chapter Enemies: Iron Warriors, The Order of the Martyred Vision of St Jaeda Heraldry: Non camouflage uniform of grey with single left pauldron in yellow, upon which is a black portcullis with speartips upright. In theatre, the Gehinnom wear and use camouflage appropriate to the environment, albeit mainly solid colours, so tan in the desert, green for jungle worlds or environments. In Urban environments they prefer to use either standard warplate colour or a scheme of their own devising called Berlinertarn, a three/four colour assortment of blocky lozenges (green/grey/white/brick red). Chapter Status: Endangered, possibly extinct. Battlecry: Chaplain/Captain/Sergeants: “Serve the Emperor!” All: “We do so ‘ere Gehenna comes!” +++ There are a lot of additions to come to this, thanks mainly to the Deathwatch: Rites of Battle book, the Chapter started life as a siege breaker arm of the Imperial Fist line, but diverged as things went on. The Chapter’s homeworld is currently swamped by the Cicatrix, so no Primaris Marines as reinforcements, no Indomitus Crusade, no Ultima Founding. This is strictly Old SchoolTM - especially as the hideously conceived and mangled German (for which I apologise to our native speakers) of "Berlinertarn" above is basically this: I plan to have the Chapter with a standing roster of something like a reinforced company, since the Chapter would have operatives on the fleet, in transit, taking up arms elsewhere on a crusade etc. They’ll essentially be arranged into ad-hoc squads along Deathwatch lines. The original IA is now nearly ten years old, so plenty of things could have happened to them in universe for them to end up like this, but I plan on having the Chapter in decline from about M.36 (maybe) onward when the Ecclesiarchy blew up most of their homeworld... Anyway, that’s it for now, thanks for looking!

Heritage: Successors of the Dark Angels Founding: 3rd Founding Homeworld: Iritral, Delta-Class World (Dead World) Fortress Monastery: Aeterna Vigilantia (Located in the Ashen Wastes of Iritral) Descendants: None Read Here in a more comfortable Black Book Format: https://imgur.com/a/9kBlHQV Introduction As an ancient chapter that hails from the 3rd Founding, the Angels of Annihilation can count themselves amongst the most ancient and revered chapters to exist in this current day and age. Founded directly after the successful subjugation of the Laploemian Sector to ensure permanent imperial control, the chapter’s name came to be by the choice of their first Chapter Master, a former Angels of Vengeance Captain named “Pyriel” that was chosen to supervise and lead the fledgling chapter. Renowned for the merciless and righteous purgation of his foes, legends say that Pyriel let not a single enemy stand, regardless if they were soldiers or civilians, let alone let them escape the vengeful retribution the Imperium would bring. Despite eventually being slain himself, his legacy was never forgotten as it was successfully passed on. To this day, his teachings continue to shape each Space Marine inducted into the chapter. The chapter was born from the genetic legacy of none other than Lion El’Jonson, the Primarch of the venerable 1st Legion. As such, the chapter was blessed with a very pure and unmutated gene stock, still closely linking them to the Dark Angels to this day. However, this is not the only way that these two chapters are strongly tied together. The chapter is also part of the Unforgiven and bears the many secrets that come with this fact as a result. The hunt for the Fallen remains amongst one of the most important and yet most secretive objectives that the Unforgiven have to continuously tackle. The chapter has earned a reputation for being secretive and reclusive, similar to the many other Sons of the Lion. However, the reports of those that fought alongside the Angels of Annihilation and survived have described them as being dependable, tenacious and awe-inspiring warriors despite their cynical tendencies, who continue to fight even against the most perilous of odds and the overwhelming darkness of despair-filled battlefields. In complete contrast to the Angels of Redemption, the chapter never once completely abandoned its allies, choosing to split its forces apart and fighting with decreased numbers if the need arises, for reasons unknown to those not aware of the chapter’s history. This has nevertheless resulted in them being reprimanded by their primogenitor on several occasions, though both their loyalty to the Imperium and to the secret agenda of the Unforgiven remains ultimately unquestioned. Homeworld History Iritral was the last world that offered resistance against the Imperial forces during the Laploemian Subjugation, with the Angels of Vengeance contributing an exceptionally great portion to its success, earning the Dark Angel’s lineage a further right of succession by the end of their conquest. populated by both a squalid human and a prosperous xenos population. Tensions between these unalike races were high and several disputes had erupted into full-fledged wars in the past already, but the humans were never able to overthrow the aliens, let alone free themselves from their controlling grip. This unsightly race saw itself as the destined rulers of the planet, but their rule would end in an inglorious massacre, their name, appearance and deeds forgotten, their existence only made apparent by brief passages, scattered across the historical documents of the chapter. It is told the planet was described as quite beautiful in its appearance and possibly could have fit the description of a so-called “Paradise World” in the past, were it not for the Laploemian Subjugation that turned the planet into a mere shadow of its former self. Much of its natural beauty was lost and sacrificed in the battles that ensued to free the humans from the grip of the vile aliens. However, the young chapter had no interest in assisting the human population, choosing to only focus on their own growth and the duties that they would have to fulfill, for there was little reason for most Astartes chapters to bother with the needs of their homeworld’s population. The struggling humans, unable to keep up with their own basic needs, slowly came to resent their so-called “Angels” and many would begin to walk the path of damnation out of vengeance and spite, for they thought they had been abandoned by the promised light of the Emperor. The hatred seeped deep into the minds of most people, as they began to conspire against the chapter and by extension, the Imperium, with what little resources they had. The attempt was never made, however, as the Librarian’s prognostications foresaw this simple-minded betrayal. Upon hearing the news, several civilians were simply abducted by the chapter’s Interrogator Chaplains to make them confess their crime and to gather more detailed information on the attempted uprising. It turned out that too many civilians harbored corrupted thought, many actively participating in the preparations for the rebellion while many more simply supported the notion and made no efforts to intervene. Both were equally seen as treacherous actions. Thus there remained but one verdict to be issued, approved ultimately by none other than Chapter Master “Rezan Salrich” himself: Annihilation. With not enough time and information at hand to be able to make an effective distinction between the few remaining loyalist citizens and the treacherous majority, the chapter, at the behest of the Interrogator Chaplains’ advice, could not possibly spare anyone’s life. Cities and villages were both indiscriminately bombarded from orbit by the chapter’s fleet as the entire population was to be subjected to a thorough purge. That day nobody had the honour to die directly by the hands of the Astartes, the population’s demise was simply carried out from orbit. To those that were unfortunate enough to be the target of the chapter’s wrath, it seemed like the heavens themselves turned wrathful at the thoughts they had and no amount of pleading would earn their forgiveness. All that would be left afterward was a planet covered in dark ashes. Life had been eradicated and the only place where life still existed was the chapter’s Fortress Monastery, which survived the indiscriminate bombardment thanks to its shields. But this act, this atrocity, would affect the chapter in more ways than one. Despite their transhuman nature, the Astartes still felt a mixture of disgust and sorrow at the actions taken, for many of the Astartes were born on this world and were related to those very humans they incinerated. Though each Battle-Brother experienced those feelings at varying degrees, nobody was able to truly support the actions taken. Even the cold and fearsome Interrogator Chaplains, infamous for their willingness to go any length to ensure the Unforgiven’s secret agenda and their chapter’s future, could not help but feel an unpleasant aftertaste. Rezen Salrich condemned the actions that the chapter had to take. While he was aware they were necessary and he himself had not hesitated to give his verdict, the outcome of the situation would have been completely avoided if the chapter assisted the people of their homeworld instead of ignoring them outside of recruitment purposes. Though any guilt and accusations from external factions were quickly disproven with the evidence of confessions, the Chapter themselves have held onto the memory of their failures far longer than the greater Imperium. While they may not have changed their name or their colour scheme, retaining both over their countless millennia of service, their own beliefs did change dramatically. Never would they repeat the mistake of ignoring and abandoning their allies ever again. They would not allow those on humanity’s side to suffer despair or harbour treacherous thoughts regardless of the time and place, even if it meant the sacrifice of each Battle-Brother to accomplish that. This would be their way to atone for their deed. Annihilation with a greater purpose than mere satisfaction of having slain the emperor’s foes. How exactly these treacherous thoughts came to remain largely unclear to this day, as more modern accounts do not detail the intricacies behind the uprising. Some ancient documents actually suggest the idea that it was the influence of an external force that implanted those seditious thoughts into the humans of Iritral. The confessions from men that have long since perished kept referring to a group of mysterious individuals that apparently were at the center of it all. Describing them as tall-standing, hooded individuals who never revealed their faces, it has been suggested that the original perpetrators of the rebellion were indeed not even human in nature, but instead were a surviving cult consisting of members that belonged to the original native xenos species of Iritral that was thought to have been completely wiped out. While no exact conclusion can be drawn due to how no detailed accounts were ever made, the mere thought and possibility that it was the work of vengeful xenos that brought about the end of the world’s human population has enraged many within the chapter and has only served as further reasoning as to why no single alien should be given the right to live and how no survivors must remain once a foe has been successfully defeated. Aeterna Vigilantia Despite committing a planet-wide cleansing campaign that reduced much if not the entire planet to mere cinders, the chapter refused to abandon their homeworld, choosing instead to continue to live on their dead and desolate planet. While the Fortress Monastery “Tower of Blades” emerged unscathed from the planet-wide bombardment thanks to its powerful shields, it would not remain unchanged. Great construction projects would be undertaken to expand the size of the monastery, raise many defensive fortifications, reinforce the existing structure and a plethora of countless other noteworthy deeds. The biggest change was the replacement of its singular large tower with two large spires that reached above the dark ashen clouds of Iritral. Finally, the name of the monastery itself was also changed and it was reborn as the “Aeterna Vigilantia” (Eternal Vigilance). An imposing sight in the midst of a forsaken wasteland, the Eternal Vigilance has stood for almost as long as the chapter itself has existed. With the passing of many millennia, many weapons of various archaic designs, sometimes even those whose knowledge of construction is now deemed lost, have been added to the many defensive installations of the monastery. Despite the Eternal Vigilance being located within a dark grey wasteland, it is not seen as an excuse to give it a similar appearance. The entire twin spire’s structure is said to be inspired by a mixture of gothic and baroque architecture, further decorated with lush, overgrown and uncanny plant life, whose maintenance is part of the chapter serf’s daily routine. Several great bridges connect the two twin spires together, forming something almost akin to a sprawling hive. Banners of fallen warriors whose feats were not forgotten and statues of great heroes are also not uncommon, gracefully accentuating the chapter’s attempt to defy the otherwise all-consuming monotone dark grey that surrounds them. At the top of the twin spires the chapter’s Reclusiam and Librarius, which simultaneously holds the chapter’s Astropathic Choir, can be found, the former recognizable thanks to its large ancient banners fluttering in the high altitudes and being constructed from marble, as well as being adorned with many golden details, while the latter is constructed from black stone and lit with bright blue flames that light the otherwise dark atmosphere. The Eternal Vigilance continues to grow in its size, complexity and defensive capabilities to this day in order to face the countless foes that the chapter encounters on the borders of the Imperium, keeping eternal watch over Iritral’s wastes and it is ready to defend the last shreds of the chapter’s honour that are buried beneath the planet’s layers of ash. Chapter Belief and Culture The words “Atonement” and “Annihilation” form the imperishable cornerstones of the chapter’s beliefs after the Burning of Iritral, with both of these expressions having become mirrored in the gigantic twin spires of the Eternal Vigilance: The spire with the Reclusiam naturally represents atonement and the spire that holds the Librarius embodies the chapter’s wish for the annihilation of mankind’s enemies, holding knowledge collected over many millennia with which the chapter has gained insight on the many weaknesses that plague their enemies. The destruction of the enemy outweighs any collateral damage that is suffered at the chapter’s hands. In the eyes of the Angels of Annihilation, humanity will always conquer that which has been destroyed. That which is reduced to ash may be rebuilt. Destruction and Construction are both needed for improvement, one cannot create something great without having both. This philosophy does not merely exist as an excuse however but also extends deep into the chapter’s culture and their training. Aspirants as well as Initiates and Brothers that wish to ascend even further into the secret order of the Unforgiven, the Inner Circle, are continuously broken mentally and physically several times during their training, enduring it all in order to grow and be further re-forged into warriors without flaw with impenetrable minds of steel. A particular addition to these beliefs that has formed over time, however, not too dissimilar like the overgrown lush plant life of the chapter’s monastery, is the fact the chapter has resolved themselves to never abandon any allies that they fight with. Having experienced first hand how darkness and corruption took root while not paying attention to their surroundings, the chapter has sworn to never let such events repeat themselves. Even if Fallen activity has been discovered, the chapter abandons no one it fights with. At worst they may dedicate a portion of their units to the pursuit of the Fallen and fight on with decreased numbers. There have been numerous accounts of mere squads inspiring platoons of guardsmen to hold the line by showing off their own tenacity, or times when the chapter rescued a surrounded entrenched gun line from an endless swarm of foes and many other deeds that have earned the chapter praise. Some may see those as heroic and noble actions, but the truth behind these actions is rather different. The chapter saves people not because they see themselves heroes or because of humanitarian morals, but for the simple reason that they expect those that they saved to become resolved to continue to fight on for another day. It is better for them to steel their minds against corruption and die in service of the Emperor, rather than to fall to despair and become the very thing they at first swore to destroy. While the original intent of Rezen Salrich was for the chapter to better itself, the belief of saving and standing with their allies has largely changed into a cynical and pragmatic mindset over time, for the chapter has lacked any true connection to humans and their own humanity outside their own Chapter Serfs and recruits for many millennia. Despite having purged their own homeworld many millennia ago, the chapter has inherited and continued on the traditions of the now-extinct population. The people of Iritral prided themselves in their sword making arts and offered some of their blades as sacrifices to the Emperor periodically. The sword in itself is the purest form of mankind’s ability to wage war, a truth that has not changed since mankind’s original dawn and has become a symbol associated with purity and strength in the eyes of the Angels of Annihilation. Each Techmarine of the chapter crafts a blade every 5 years to both commemorate the progress of their own skills as well as to offer up the blade to be used as a sacrifice to the Aspiration’s Summit. In addition, every Battle-Brother, upon the completion of his training, is awarded a newly crafted short sword that fits his personal fighting preferences. Much like the Gladius, which is used by several Space Marine chapters, it is a type of combat knife. However, these blades are not uniform in their shape or composition, as those are heavily dependent on their users. Each sword is a reflection of the marine that wields it and to lose one’s own personal blade is to bring great dishonour. On the other hand, to have one’s blade break during combat means that the blade has fulfilled its purpose and served until the very end of its capabilities, which also signifies that the Battle-Brother in question himself has grown and has become far more experienced. So important is their value, that it has been known that these blades are recovered alongside a fallen brother’s gene-seed, or in unique circumstances, only the blade if the battlefield situation allows not for careful gene-seed extraction. Successfully recovered blades are added to the many other blades of the Aspiration’s summit, signifying the death and thus completion of a marine’s duty. Although being a monastic chapter, the Angels of Annihilation shun the notion that the Emperor was truly a god. The great feats accomplished by mankind and the Emperor in the past were not the works of prayers being answered by false deities, but simply the work of humans who realized that their greatest gifts were their will and resolve. Despite not being humans anymore themselves, having sacrificed their humanity to become Angels of Death, the Astartes of the chapter have made it their purpose to carry out the will of the Emperor, while also avenging a dream that died long ago, when the Great Heresy took place. Aspiration’s Summit Unlike most important areas of the chapter, the Aspiration’s summit is not located anywhere near the Eternal Vigilance. It is a remote location to which all neophytes must travel in order to be considered true Angels of Annihilation. Journeys undertaken by foot can take anywhere between a few days to over a week, depending on the frequency of ash storms that continuously plague the surface of Iritral. These journeys are led by a Chaplain put in charge of training the fledgling neophytes, who himself is accompanied by an Apothecary as well as a handful of chapter serfs. It is a place that acts both as a sacred training ground and yet as a graveyard for the souls of the people that the chapter condemned on that fateful day many ages ago and their own Battle-Brothers that have fallen in combat all across the galaxy over the many millennia ever since. It is a sorrowful image of a grey mountain covered and surrounded by blades, whose purpose vanished with the death of their wielders, along with war-torn banners of past Battle-Brothers who accomplished great deeds during their lifetime as well as those of entire marine companies that fell in brutal wars. Some blades are heavily worn and partially eroded, a befitting testament to their age, while many others either are or seem like newly crafted additions. It is here in this desolate landscape of cold steel and colourless ash that the neophytes learn the ancient martial honour of Lost Caliban and not only begin to find great appreciation for the craftsmanship that goes into a weapon but also manage to discover their own particular preferences for said weapons as well as their own combat style. Countless weeks, maybe months will be spent here with neophytes fighting each other to hone their skills. As there are no standardized rules or schedules, the Chaplains often create their own systems as they see fit and they won’t allow the neophytes to leave until they themselves are satisfied with the results. While the chapter generally prefers training neophytes in cooperative manners, this is the one exception that cannot be negotiated with and has become an integral part of the chapter’s way of life. The neophytes that return to the monastery are completely reforged into warriors that are indeed worthy of being part of the Lion’s gene-lineage. The Aspiration’s Summit serves some additional purposes as well. Given its symbolic value, it is also a place to where new Wrathwing initiates are drawn to in order to prove their worth, having to pass through several excruciating trials that seek to test the marine’s strength of will and resolve thoroughly. Atop the peak of the mountain is where the Master of the Wrathwing has to take the Heaven’s Oath to ensure the cooperation of the ancient machine spirit that dwells in the Paragon Blade named “Oathkeeper’s Blade”. Yet despite all these important rituals and trials that take place there, the Aspiration’s Summit certainly remains not a place to be actively yearned for and with each new blade added to its already countless numbers, that fact is only further cemented. Combat Doctrine Much like their primogenitor, the chapter fights as a normal codex-oriented chapter barring the chapter’s Wrathwing (1st Company) and Thunderwing (2nd Company), with tactical flexibility and rapid deployment at the forefront of their abilities. However, the chapter additionally places great emphasis on combat efficiency, encouraging each battle brother to fight at the peak of their capabilities. To that end, the chapter, unlike the Dark Angels, tolerates the notion of each fully trained Battle-Brother being able to customize their panoply of war. The Wrathwing and Thunderwing resemble the Deathwing and Ravenwing respectively, one completely clad in Terminator Armour and dedicated to the ruthless destruction of any foe that dares to oppose the Angels of Annihilation while the other snatches air superiority from the enemy and hunts down those that would try to flee from their well-deserved demise, be it combatants or non-combatants. To the chapter that distinction makes no difference, because with the utter annihilation of each foe, there is one less burden for the Imperium and thus the Emperor to handle. The chapter fights neither like savage barbarians nor noble warriors, it fights neither for pride nor for distinction, but simply seeks to exterminate their foes quickly and efficiently, viewing a quick death as the greatest mercy that the Emperor can offer to those that oppose mankind. To that end, the chapter has expressed a clear preference for Plasma weaponry, for being equally versatile on the battlefield and equally as deadly, reducing the chapter’s opponents to ash or boiling them inside their own armour with a mere blast. These weapons are seen as the avatars of the Emperor’s fury made manifest and each howling blast released is an innocent soul avenged. Rumours indicate that the chapter has inherited a great deal of knowledge about plasma weaponry from their founding chapter as well as having either traded or gained additional knowledge through other means over the many millennia, which would possibly explain their ability to maintain such a great amount of those particular special weapons. Rarely has a foe ever been recognized as possessing outstanding honour of their own, but in those rare times that the enemy has proven worthy, the chapter is willing to send out their own champions to test the resolve and strength of will that belongs to the foe. Chapter Armoury (Angelus Ferropera) While more exotic technologies are requisitioned from the local forge world known as Berethral, located in the same sector as the chapter’s homeworld, most of the gear and vehicles at the disposal of the chapter are crafted in the “Angelus Ferropera”, the chapter’s own forge located directly in the middle between the giant twin spires of their monastery. Giant metal gears can be seen on the outside, ceaselessly turning, indicating the constant and diligent work that is undertaken by the Techmarines that are housed there. Yet it is not merely just home to the chapter’s Techmarines but also to a myriad of great ancient technological secrets and relic war machines protected in stasis fields. Due to the ancient nature of the chapter, hailing from the 3rd founding, some long-forgotten relics that once served on the battlefield at the time of the Great Crusade and the Great Heresy can be discovered here, slumbering in stasis until their time is needed once more. A great deal of those relic vehicles that were inherited once served within the bygone formation of the Dark Angel’s legion known as the Dreadwing. These vehicles, whose machine spirits seem to be commonly plagued by the horrible experiences of the Great Heresy, await the moment they may be reawakened once more to serve on the battlefields of more modern times. Their hulls, irreversibly tainted by the weapons of Destroyer Marines, consistently release ominous radiation that can be measured by nearby Geiger counters, forever reminding the chapter’s warriors that these venerable vehicles are stained by their deeds of the past, just as the chapter itself is stained with both sin and shame. Yet it is not the exotic and rare relic weapons that win the majority of wars, but those that can be built and have proven reliable. The “Angelus Ferropera” ensures that the chapter’s demands are completely met and thus the Chapter's armoury is continuously well-stocked. Regarded with great reverence for the quality of its manufactured armaments and vehicles, it truly showcases the chapter’s dedication to the wars that they wage. Apart from also being the chapter’s greatest source of Plasma Weaponry, the forge is also in miraculous possession of construction knowledge for ancient types of Power Armour, albeit only able to create and maintain in rather limited amounts. At the forefront of this ability is the hardly remembered yet incredibly durable MK III Power Armour design, favoured by the chapter for its additional frontal protection and commonly issued to Veteran Battle Brothers. Due to the original template’s arguably outdated systems however, each newly produced suit’s systems and sensory equipment are individually modified at the hands of an experienced Techmarine to be up to modern standard. This practice extends far back into the chapter’s history and as such the most venerable examples of MK III suits have become invaluable relics. Recruitment Due to Iritral’s inhospitable nature, recolonization efforts outside the monastery have borne little fruit. As such, the chapter has instead opted to recruit from neighboring systems, favouring but not necessarily limiting themselves to hive worlds and feral worlds. The chapter shuns the notion of societal prejudice, for such things ultimately do not decide the capabilities of an initiate, and instead chooses recruits based on their pre-existing resolve and tenacity, which are determined by allowing the potential initiates to complete several trials, some of which are created on the spot at the whims of the recruiter. From the depths of the Underhive to feral villages located in the mountains, no place is off-limits for potential candidates whose survival instincts, as well as their skills and will to survive, are hardened beyond any conventional breaking point. Yet only the chapter can re-forge this potential into the terrifying prospect of an Astartes. To become an Angel of Annihilation is to relinquish whatever previous ties one possessed prior to his ascension, to seek nothing else but the destruction of mankind’s enemy as well as to earn the Emperor’s forgiveness for the chapter’s sin and the shame shared across all Unforgiven.

Hi all, I've been toying around with a new chapter for the past while, and am beginning to settle on an idea. The core principles of the chapter's history are below, and I'd really appreciate feedback on it! I've tried to go with a rather more tragic take on what would otherwise have been a noble Ultramarines successor, and in further fluff I'll try to play on this theme, and build on the Grimdarkness. There'll definitely be more coming (probably using the Deathwatch tables to flesh it out), but these are the 'essentials'. Is there anything that works or doesn't? Any areas of improvement? Anything that makes you go But what about this with that? Thanks! Background The Lords of Avalon are an early successor chapter, of XIII Legion heritage, dating back to the 3rd Founding in M.32. The chapter's Fortress Monastery is based on the lush but uninhabited world of Avalon, located on the Eastern Fringe in the Ultima Segmentum. Here, it was to guard part of the frontier between the edge of Imperial space and the unknown void that lies beyond. As an early founding of the Ultramarines, the Lords of Avalon hold closely to the Codex Astartes as the direct word of their Primarch; as such, it heavily influences the chapter’s structure, principles, modes of operation and tactics. Origins Beyond this, the chapter also sought in some small way to echo the success of the realm of Ultramar, and to establish a small bastion of productivity and stability in the relative wilderness of the Eastern Fringe. As the chapter established itself on Avalon, it began to become heavily involved in the administration of the system, establishing trade routes, stable systems of governance and sustainable population policies. At its peak in M.37, the Avalon system was a small but flourishing jewel in the sector crown, reflecting the majesty of Ultramar on a smaller scale, and serving as a trade nexus for multiple systems. However, as is often the sad truth in the Imperium, such prosperity was not to last. Failure At the outset of M.38, the planet was washed in a rain of dust particles blowing in from the Galactic East. Deemed inert by AdMech surveyors, the chapter did little in response to the cloud, believing it to be harmless. After several weeks however, billowing clouds of suffocating fog started to gather and spread across the planet’s surface, eradicating the minds of any unmodified humans exposed to it. In the face of such a nebulous threat, the guns of the Lords of Avalon were silent and helpless. The chapter was forced to look on as its homeworld was rendered inhospitable to human life before its eyes. Now, the chapter remains guardians of a planet without a population, pacing through grand, echoing halls and temples, surrounded by the memories of its greatest triumph and failure, and wreathed in a constant mist that embraces their millennia-long sense of loss.

Index Astartes: Void Slayers With strength of will valued above all else, the Void Slayers have become machines in all but flesh and constantly seek to steel their minds. Their hatred for the weak willed and distaste for personal glory makes the Void Slayers a highly unforgiving Chapter, executing their duties as elite Imperial warriors with ruthless efficiency. For millennia, they have tirelessly protected the Desolus Stars from all manner of foes and continue to do so even in the Dark Imperium. Origins ‘Forget their names - remember their weakness.’ - First Chapter Master Bash Tchelik. In the aftermath of the Horus Heresy and the death of their Primarch, Ferrus Manus, the Iron Hands were a fractured Legion. Heated arguments over their future raged for years and continued long after the second founding. While the Iron Council had decreed that the Iron Hands would forever strive to purge themselves of all weakness, philosophical disagreements on exactly how to achieve this goal endured, both between and within the Clan Companies. Iron Captain Bash Tchelik was an outspoken veteran who fought against the Chapter’s growing hatred of flesh and obsession with bionics. He argued that in their pursuit of strength, the Iron Hands had fallen to the weakness of the mind. He was always opposed, and over time, pressures from other Clan Companies and within his own made it clear to Bash that his views would never win through. When the historical third founding was initiated, the Iron Hands were requested to oversee the formation of an entirely new Chapter created from their geneseed, in honor of Ferrus Manus. Bash Tchelik quickly nominated himself, seeing an opportunity to bring his vision of true strength to life. The Iron Council did not object, as the exodus of Bash and his followers’ beliefs would help unify the Iron Hands in theirs. Wasting little time, Bash left Medusa with his most trusted brothers and set out to forge a new generation of warriors with minds of pure steel. The new Chapter took the name Void Slayers and made the Desolus Stars their home, ordered to protect its systems, patrol its trading lanes and to seek out all its enemies. For millennia, the Void Slayers have fought with machine-like discipline against countless xenos and heretics, in the Desolus Stars and beyond. Early on, they spearheaded the White Fire Crusade to cleanse the entire sector of Orks. During the Age of Apostasy, the Slayers kept order with an iron fist and constantly pursued Drukhari pirates taking advantage of the galactic turmoil. Through great victories or major losses, their single-minded focus has never wavered. Whether celebrated or feared by the ones they protect, their ruthless methods only change when forced to by other Imperial authorities. To the inhabitants of Desolus, the Chapter may not be their guardians of choice, but in the dark days of Imperium Nihilus, the Void Slayers might just be who they need. Homeworld ‘Your mind shall be diamond. Hard. Clear. Flawless.’ – Teachings of Bash Tchelik. The Void Slayers homeworld is within the Desolus Stars, not too far north of the Great Rift in the Ultima Segmentum. These systems are home to a variety of worlds and institutions key to the Imperial machine, all in need of the extra security that comes with the presence of an Astartes Chapter. Bash Tchelik spent many of his early years as Chapter Master securing alliances with Imperial commanders in the systems. Forming connections with a more pragmatic wing of the Adeptus Mechanicus, he was able to come to a mutually beneficial agreement with the local Forge World. In addition, he claimed recruitment rights from several planets as payment for their protection. The strength of these alliances have waxed and waned dramatically over the years, but in the times of the Dark Imperium, several worlds in the Desolus Stars have ceded their authority to the Void Slayers. The Slayers built their home on the small, dead terrestrial world of Naraka, the only planet in its system. Aside from long depleted deposits of metals, Naraka has no inherent value beyond its strategic position in the sub-sector, its landmasses empty but for the vast training grounds and defenses of the Chapter’s Fortress-Monastery. Named Steeldome after the largest visible structure above ground, the Fortress-Monastery is an immense and formidable structure if unremarkable in its design, housing all the vital facilities of the Chapter deep below the surface. The only facility not within the defenses of the Steeldome is in a small base built on Naraka’s moon, Yama. While the base also works as an additional layer in their orbital defense systems, Yama serves a different and far more important purpose to the Slayers. In fact, many of the closest defense systems are by default pointed at this base. It is here the many recruits come to prove their worth to the Chapter, in the ritual known as ‘The Clearing’. During 'The Clearing', a Neophyte is escorted by the Master of Sanctity into a chamber devoid of light and sound save for the soft glow of a candle and the rasping chants of focus, carried and recited by the Chaplain. As they move to the middle of the chamber, the Chief Librarian stands waiting in the darkness. The Neophyte kneels before the psyker, who lays his hand on the young warrior’s head and pierces deep into his mind. Any lingering longings or fears are exposed and exploited. Memories of days long gone come rushing back to the neophyte, but twisted and terrible, as the smell of brimstone assails his nostrils. Friends or family he knew and lost come back, only to die again in gruesome ways. For what seems an eternity, the Neophyte’s mind is tortured. He must do what he can to retain his sanity, focusing on the increasingly louder words of the Chaplain, until only the chant remains. Many fail the ritual, either by simply dying or by developing severe brain damage, the latter of which are repurposed into servitors, if possible. Those who harbor psychic potential are even more at risk, as their version of the ritual is even more demanding and dangerous, which is why the base itself is kept under watch. Those who survive are allowed to start their training, though the ritual may happen several times over a Slayer’s career as they climb through the ranks or as penance. Whether or not the ritual has any positive effect on the Chapter's capabilities is hard to quantify, but the Slayers have sworn by their methods for millennia. Beliefs ‘Weak minds beget weak deeds.’ – Teachings of Bash Tchelik. The Void Slayers hate weakness, but believe the source of all weakness is the mind. They have made it their unending quest to steel their minds and to rid themselves of fear, emotion or any corrupting thought that might interfere with their effectiveness as Astartes. While no doubt similar in their beliefs to other gene-cousins, they view the Iron Hands’ hatred of the flesh as a heretical distraction, an obsession born out of mental weakness. Replacing lost limbs with bionics is tolerated by the Chapter, but any sign of mechanical fixation is not. On the other hand, if a battle-brother openly shames another for using bionics, a Chaplain will in turn reprimand the brother for manifesting weakness through shaming. To ensure that all Void Slayers follow the same mental doctrine, a strict code of conduct was created by Bash Tchelik and his cohort in the early days of the Chapter. This code is enforced and upheld by both Chaplains and Librarians who constantly screen the minds of their fellow Slayers. All emotion except for hate is to be suppressed, but even hate is tightly controlled, only to be used within certain parameters. This code is embedded into the litanies of hate that the Chaplains chant and every Slayer knows by heart, constantly repeated both on and off the battlefield. The Slayers’ disdain for weakness also extends to their allies. While they don’t expect them to adhere to their code to the same degree, they have no problem expressing their displeasure and have on occasion gone to extreme lengths to punish what they see as treasonous weakness. To the Void Slayers, there is no such thing as personal glory or honor, as only the glory of the Emperor matters, who they view as nothing more or less than the greatest man who ever lived. They wear few ornamentations, except for those that are justified with battlefield utility, like rank markings and fear inducing imagery. They care little for history and less for revering it, focusing more on the cold facts of campaign reports, battle analysis and weapon telemetries. They acknowledge Ferrus Manus as their gene-father and a great warrior, but no more. Instead, Ferrus serves as another example of how even the strongest and most capable of the Emperor's sons can fall victim to the weakness of the mind. Organisation ‘Trust the Consensus and act without question.’ – Teachings of Bash Tchelik. The Void Slayers are mostly organised along the lines set out by the Codex Astartes, with a few key exceptions. Partly due to their distaste for personal glory, the Void Slayers have no dedicated Veteran Company. Instead, they employ five highly independent Battle Companies that are constantly on the move. As in most Chapters, a Slayer will join the Scout Company then progress through the Reserve Companies as they receive their training, but once they join one of the Battle Companies they usually stay there for life, imparting their wisdom and expertise to every new generation. Similar to the Iron Council of their progenitors, the Chapter’s ruling body is called the Consensus, consisting mainly of ten mighty warriors, usually former Captains. There is no Chapter Master, instead one member of the Consensus holds the position Voice of the Chapter, which rotates every ten years. The Voice acts as the Chapter’s face outwards and has the deciding vote in Consensus stalemates, but for the most part the Consensus act as one. Librarians and Chaplains share a heightened importance in the Chapter, due to their roles in the Clearing and ensuring the mental strength of all Void Slayers. The Chief Librarian and Master of Sanctity, alongside the Chief Apothecary, are part of the Consensus, keeping their fellow members in line should old company loyalties linger or any other sign of weakness manifest. Like Chaplains and Apothecaries, a Librarian is permanently attached to each company, serving alongside the Captain as one of his most important advisors. Only the Master of the Forge does not have a vote in the Consensus. Bash Tchelik did not continue the tradition of Iron Fathers when he left Medusa and the Slayers have harbored a heightened sense of distrust towards their Tech Priests ever since. Immediately upon returning to the Chapter from training, a Tech Adept is again subjected to the Clearing - to ensure both his loyalty and resolve remains. The Chapter also has no Dreadnoughts. While the Slayers now believe that death is the final rest and holding on to the past is for the weak-minded, this was no doubt originally an attempt to further distance themselves from their progenitor’s obsession with the mechanical. To support the Chapter’s modus operandi, the Void Slayers maintain a strong fleet of twelve Strike Cruisers and numerous support vessels. Preferring the speed of the Strike Cruisers, their single ancient Battle Barge, the Warrior Eternal, has rarely left the Narakan system since their arrival, acting as an additional layer in their orbital defense systems. However, in the days of the Dark Imperium, the Warrior Eternal is more active than ever, operating as a mighty forward base. In lieu of better alternatives, scores of refugees fleeing the ravages of war regularly plead the Void Slayers for sanctuary aboard the Battle Barge. If there is room, the Void Slayers in turn put all but the frailest to work, so that they may serve the war effort. The refugees have few options other than accept and can only look on in horror when the Void Slayers occasionally execute those whose mental states are deemed detrimental to the cause. Combat Doctrine ‘Know no fear, but for your enemy’s.’ – Teachings of Bash Tchelik. Since establishing themselves in the Desolus Stars, duties have required the Void Slayers to frequently participate in ship-to-ship engagements to protect the many trade routes in the systems. They often fight alongside the Imperial Navy and have earned a fearsome reputation among Battlefleet commanders. While certainly more reliable as allies than most of their gene-brethren, they can still be unpredictable once they have committed their forces. They have in principle no problem submitting to the leadership of other Imperial Commanders. However, they will go against the overall plan if they deem their own approach superior - or doubt the mental fortitude of their allies. In conventional warfare, the Slayers maintain a slight preference for ranged combat, exploiting the psychological effects of overwhelming suppressive fire and orbital bombardments. This is further enhanced by their fearsome Librarians, who are experts at piercing the minds of their enemies and destroying them from within. Still, the Slayers strive to not overspecialise in one area of combat, and their disregard for glory and honor means the Slayers have few notions of shameful tactics on the battlefield. A common manoeuvre is a tactical withdrawal to lure the enemy into a charge, followed by exploding traps, volleys of fire and a cold-blooded counter assault. Unyielding and uncaring in battle, the Void Slayers’ methods have come under scrutiny several times over their long history, often due to their general disregard for history and collateral damage. Their only real punishment came in the early years of M.34, when the Slayers embarked on a penitent crusade following the successful eradication of Orks from a Cardinal World, which also resulted in the destruction of sacred structures and many human lives. Since that time, complaints have continued to be raised against the Slayers, but their loyalty has become near undeniable, and Imperial High Command prefer to find ways to harness their unyielding nature against the enemies of the Imperium. Geneseed ‘From iron to steel!’ – Chapter mantra. Through the ever diligent and disciplined work of the Apothecarion, the Void Slayers’ geneseed has remained pure and stable throughout the millennia. Now, with the integration of Primaris technology, their genetic integrity has become stronger still. When the Torchbearer taskforce first reached the Void Slayers, the Consensus quickly assembled to determine what the Chapter’s official stance was on the new technology and influx of Primaris battle-brothers. The reinforcements were accepted, but it was determined that all Primaris warriors must pass the Clearing or be deemed unworthy of the Chapter. Most survived as the Primaris themselves embraced the challenge, though they never had a real choice. Even if most Void Slayers display none of their progenitors’ obsession with the mechanical, they do share a deep hatred for weakness and it is still unknown if this is genetic. Perhaps the Slayers’ absolute focus on mental strength has led to them merely suppressing an underlying body dysphoria present in all Iron Hands successors. Whatever the case, the Void Slayers do not care. To them, such speculations are nothing but a distraction for the weak willed and has no impact on their effectiveness as Imperial warriors. --- Original Discussion Topic