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This is where the (final) draft is to be posted. Origins Official Imperial records state that the Chapter known as the Bahltimyr Rayvens were one of many Chapters created during the Cursed 21st Founding. Many regarded that using Gene-Seed taken from the Raven Guard was an unwise move, but the "improvements" made to it seemed to make it viable again. An unofficial source stated that the Chapter Master of the Raven Guard was horrified by the decision, and stated simply that "No good would become of it", and that the Raven Guard would have nothing to do with it's sibling Chapter under any circumstances, despite the seeming stability of the modifications. The go ahead was never the less given and the Bahltimyr Rayvens were born. The first action undertaken by the Rayvens was that of destroying an Ork Waagh! on Bohkmor. Whilst successful, it was a long drawn out campaign, resulting in significant losses. The Ravens went home to Bahltimyr to restock and recruit, which due to the small population, took longer than hoped. This took it's toll on the mindset of many Marines in the Chapter, who were desperate to prove themselves worthy and redeem themselves in the eyes of their Parent Chapter. Their next action took them to another world - Tolibur, and it here that they were more successful. Using stealth tactics similar to the Raven Guard, they ripped the heart out of a fledgling Chaos incursion, with a determined edge that many survivors reported as "Brutal, almost revelling in the carnage they wreaked." This reason for this new doctrine is not known, but other Chapters who had at some point campaigned with them noted that the "Rayvens were terse in speech, reluctant to accept rearguard or defensive functions, and only seemed truly themselves on frontal or stealth attacks" Whilst scholars conclude that this attitude could be due to nothing more than the Chapters need to prove themselves, to be seen as the best at what they do amongst their peers, others have darkly said in whispers that the beginnings of the Bahltimyr Reavers started here.... The Rayvens were eventually deployed to reinforce the Chapter known as the Steel Wings in Segmentum Pacificus, due to the increased amount of Chaos incursions on a group of Planets near the Steel Wings' home world. They were requested to support them on a Planet known as Ghiberti. The Steel Wings had already arrived at the planet with the rest of the Chapter in transit and with this in mind had petitioned the Rayvens to act in a supporting role, lest the advantage their had bought would be lost. With the honour of the Chapter smarting, the Chapter Master Rai Lurweiss told his opposite number that this would not happen and ordered a smaller action of their own. Both sides took significant casualties due to this and diplomatic relations escalated, both Chapters effectively ignoring each other from then on. On the eightieth day of the campaign, the Steel Wings had after defeating a Daemon unleashed within the Capital, decided that the situation was untenable, calling a general withdrawal order and Exterminatus. Because the Rayvens were not actively monitoring the vox bands that the Steel Wings were using, it was not realised that they were going to submit the planet to orbital bombardment until it was too late. The Rayvens were forced to take shelter as best they could, the area they were in control of was near a previously inactive Volcano. The orbital charges set off seismic fractures in the ground that swallowed the main force whole, whilst the subsequent molten lava sealed up any trace after. To subsequent search parties, they had simply vanished. Their fleet was destroyed in orbit save their Flagship The Pride of Em'tebank which was heavily damaged, when it tried to stop the Steel Wings from bombarding the planet. According to an official report submitted to the High Lords of Terra, the Bahltimyr Rayvens were a dangerous element in the campaign and actions was taken. This, and other reports were never acted upon, their contents consigned to history. Recent History The Bahltimyr Reavers have been seen in various locales in the Imperium, and have become a significant threat for many centuries. Most recently, they have been in Segmentum Pacificus, attacking Imperial Worlds for slaves, recruits and most importantly to re-arm. Despite their best efforts, Imperial scholars can have not worked out any specific pattern to their movements. On more than one occassion, they have withdrawn from a battle when they had the advantage and the ability to deal a crippling blow to their foe. On other occassions they have fought long and hard, seemingly for no gain whatsoever. Their erratic behaviour has been attributed to their maddened state, although it has been the opinion of a few that the Reavers are looking for specific artifacts, and that when they have found them all, woe be tide any who cross their path. The ‘Reavers are in fact following the will of the Pantheon, causing unrest, recovering artefacts and other more unknown purposes. Their Leader Lord Rai Lurweiss has an ulterior motive – to be free of the agreement with the Dark Gods and searches the Galaxy for something worthy to trade. It is only a matter of time until their paths cross again with the Steel Wings and finally encounter the Raven Guard. Encounter at Syndar An Imperial force consisting of Imperial Guard, a small contingent of Sisters from the Order of the Valorous Heart and three Companies of Marines from the Amber Dragons Chapter encountered a Warband that matched the Bahltimyr Reavers on a Shrine World called Syndar. Having insinuated themselves with the Citadel at its capital, the Warband had decimated the planets PDF and were caught trying to [records deleted by the Holy Inquisition]. The Warband had escaped, albeit with heavy casualties. The Warbands current whereabouts are unknown. Beliefs The Warband are reluctant followers of the Chaos Pantheon. Those few who have survived an encounter with them believe that they are completely dedicated to their Dark Gods, but this is not so. The Leader of the Warband Lord Rai Lurweiss had made a pact with the Gods to ensure their survival, but the fickle nature of those Gods resulted in many within the group being mutated beyond measure. These hulking monstrosities are collectively known as the Changed. In exchange for services rendered, the Pantheon agree to spare the Warband any more additions of those creatures to their ranks. Failure to succeed in their tasks and more Marines are changed. Every member of the Warband are fearful of the Gods because of this and will do their utmost in battle to ensure they are left alone, although there was those who dare court their favour. Lurweiss is bent on finding something to use as a bargaining chip to be finally free of this “agreement”. So far he has found no such thing. Gene-seed As a Chapter of the Cursed Founding, the stability of their Gene-seed, was initial without doubt. However, due to their wholesale worship of Chaos Undivided and their subsequent agreement, it is evident that whatever improvements were made, they are being undone. Scholars are unsure as to what extent their Gene-seed has been corrupted. Encounters with horrifying creatures, both in regular Armour and in Tactical Dreadnought Armour have been reported. Specific details have either been suppressed or lost in transmission. Organisation and tactics Whilst loyal to the Imperium, The Bahltimyr Rayvens followed the Tenets of the Index Astartes and the teachings of their Primarch - that of stealth. Now as traitors to the Imperium of Man, they still use that same disciplined approach to battle, but are more renowned for striking terror into the hearts of their enemies, the sight of the Changed instilling fear in anyone unfortunate to see them. Battle Cry On the open battlefield it is rare for them to have a unified battle cry, although mockingly they have used "Victorus aut Mortis". On covert operations for obvious reasons, they employ silence at all times. To be placed in side bars: Chapter Master Rai Lurweiss had spent days in prayer to Him on Earth, his pleas more and more desperate. The remnants of the Chapter were trapped, buried under hundreds of feet of cooling Lava. The ground had literally swallowed them whole. Many Marines had died instantly when the ground shook with the impact of the payload thrown down by their so called allies, the Steel Wings. Others far more slowly, as their crushed forms were slowly covered by magma, their screams ringing in his ears still. After the events that followed, the survivors considered them to have gotten off lightly. Many had taken to keeping their own company, the sullen becoming openly hostile if their blackened mood was disturbed. Others had...changed. Their flesh was, as Sons of Corvus Corax ,pale, their eyes like orbs of obsidian. Whilst that was still true, there was an unhealthy pallor to their cheeks. They complained of aches that even their metabolisms couldn't subdue, and a hunger that could not be slaked. They formed groups, watching the others with an interest that unnerved even Lurweiss himself. Those who watched had taken to daub their armour with blood, their own at first. Lurweiss beseeched the Emperor for deliverance and was rewarded with nothing. No redemption, no salvation. Days turned to weeks and combat discipline was eroded slowly as those who had changed could no longer slake the hunger that gnawed at their being. The Chapter turned in on themselves, as one half finally gave in to their instincts, whilst the other, horrified and deeply saddened by what they witnessed tried to contain them and to put an end to their depravity. In desperation, Rai Luweiss' prayers were ever more fervent, and his entreaties went to anyone who would listen. The fate of the Bahltimyr Rayvens was sealed, when something did. The price asked for their freedom was far greater than they had bargained for.