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INDEX ASTARTES space for heraldry The Hospitallers Militant For every human being there is a crossroads and a choice. Choose the road to the Emperor's Light and there we will be, to protect you and guard the way. Choose the road to damnation, there we will also be, to send you on your way. - Gered Tomisian Grand Master of the Hospitallers Militant It is a grim truth, for some to live, some must die. If for humanity to survive, others must face oblivion, then so be it. - Micael Keros Knight Commander of the Black Chapel CHAPTER INDEX Veteran Knight Livery of the White Chapel (1st Veteran Company) - The Purifiers Primogenitor Legion: XIII, Ultramarines Primarch Primogenitor: Roboute Guilliman Founding: =][= REDACTED BY ORDER OF THE INQUISITION =][= Chapter Master: Gered Tomisian Home world: Fleet based Chapter Monastery: Battle barge Lux Imperator Strength: Approximately 1,000 line Astartes Specialty: High risk protective escort, war zone mercy missions, large scale evacuation logistical support, gene-seed hunt, exterminatus Heraldry: Bone white cross on a field of apothecarium green Chapter Colors: Bone white and apothecarium green Battle Cry: Apothecary - For the living Response - Hope! Apothecary - For the dead Response - Vengeance! HISTORY Created for and tasked with bringing hope to those who hold loyal to the Imperium of Man and bringing death to those who would do harm to the Imperium and its citizens, the Hospitallers Militant stretches its hand boldly across the galaxy. Seen by most as a relatively young chapter, it's origins are ancient and shrouded in mystery. Origin Unknown to the Imperium as a whole and even to the numerous Astartes chapters they have fought side by side with the Chapter Master and many of the Veterans of the Hospitallers Militant first tasted battle as warriors of Roboute Gulliman's XIII Legion, Ultramarines in the early days of the Great Crusade. This young chapter acrually traces its origin back to the end of the Horus Heresy and the begining of the Great Scouring. At the end of the Horus Heresy and as part of the Scouring, Roboute Guilliman sends out several retribution fleets with broad mandates to seek and destroy surviving Chaos forces and enclaves, and to assist loyalist forces and civilians as necessary. One of these fleets, Retribution Fleet Praetor is under command of Chapter Master Mericus Bellerophon, former Invictarus Suzerain commander and part of Guilliman's inner circle. While escorting a civilian refugee fleet to safe Imperial space, they are ambushed by a combined Chaos fleet which immediately sets upon the civilian ships. Bellerophon, immediately understands that his choices are limited. If he turns and fights he can destroy the Chaos fleet, but at the cost of the refugee fleet. He can run, but the Chaos forces will simply follow, and like a pack of wolves pick off the weaker civilian ships one by one. The only viable option is to have a portion of his fleet turn and fight a holding action, allowing the bulk of the fleet time to escape. Fleet Master Marcus Voyen (Bellerophon's closest human friend) volunteers to lead the holding action. Bellerophon knows that Voyen is the best man for the job and that it is also a suicide mission. He will never see his friend or the ships of the holding squadrons again. Voyen launches his desperate little fleet into a savage attack against the Chaos forces, while the bulk of Fleet Praetor and the refugee fleet escape into the warp. In their death run, Voyen's forces smash the Chaos fleet and Bellerephon's rage and hatred of Chaos is fueled even brighter by the death of his friend and so many of his ship crews. It is a hatred that will burn hot until the day he dies. Upon entering the warp, the fleet encounters a storm of power and ferocity unlike any they had ever experienced. Many ships are lost and huge portions of the fleet are separated in the storm. As the surviving squadrons exit the warp they are scattered throughout the galactic rim. But that is not the worst of it. Navigators and ship cartographers inform the Chapter Master that the stars are wrong. His ships have not only been flung to the far reaches of the galaxy but the far reaches of time as well. It is estimated that they are almost ten thousand years in the future. After many battles and long searching over more than a century, Bellerophon is finally content that he has made contact with all surviving elements of his fleet. He has lost many ships along with over five thousand Astartes, and countless freemen and civilian refugees. Also, through an extensive intelligence network he and his Librarius have established, he has a clear view of what has become of the Imperium. They are truly in a dark age, in every sense of the word. At the end of what would later be known as the First Tyrannic War, and after furious battle with the Tyrannid invaders on the edges of Ultramar, Bellerophon makes contact with Macrage and meets with Marneus Calgar in secret. Once convinced of the truth behind Bellerophon's fantastic tale, the two Chapter Masters confer and make plans for the inevitable confrontation with the Inquisition. For Calgar and the Ultramarines, meeting Astartes from the XIII Legion is a miracle. To actually speak with brothers who stood with the Emperor and the Primarch, who witnessed the Emperor's dream made manifest and then sundered by Horus' treason is nothing short of a wonder for them. For the Inquisition, it is nothing short of the ultimate nightmare. To actually have eye witnesses to the Horus Heresy walking in the Imperium is intolerable. The Inquisition arrives in force with elements of Battlefleet Ultima, demanding the surrender of Bellerophon, his Astartes, and all freemen and civilians under his authority. The inquisitorial forces are faced by ships of the Ultramarines, the Ultramar Defense Force, and elements of Retribution Fleet Praetor. Inquisitor Aegottubg tells Chapter Master Calgar that more forces are on their way. Calgar smiles and assures the Inquisitor that they most certainly are. Numerous warp portals appear at the Mandeville Point and swarms of Primogenitor war ships pour through and take up battle positions behind the Imperial naval forces, weapons locked. After long and tense deliberation, a compromise is arrived at. Under supervision of the Ultramarines Chapter, Bellerophon and his people will submit to inspection by the Inquisition and the Grey Knights. Once cleared, the forces of Retribution Fleet Praetor will be divided into five groups that will form the nucleus of five new chapters of Astartes. The new chapters will then take charge of all accompanying freemen and civilians who will be bonded in servitude to the chapters for life as will their children and children's children in perpetuity. Secret charters are issued, and all are sworn to silence. Thus is born the Hospitallers Militant, the Praetorian Sword, the Liberation Knights, the Hammers of Ultramar, and the Ursan Lords, five new Space Marine chapters to bring the Emperors Light to the darkness. The Brotherhood of Praetor Wherein, before launching out to meet their individual destinies, the Masters of the five new chapters swear eternal friendship and loyalty. They promise to come to each others aid whenever called. The Batavian Reconquista Wherein the Hospitallers Militant first taste battle as a chapter, liberate the Forge Worlds of the Batavian star system from the grip of a warband of the Iron Warriors, and in doing so, gain the eternal enmity of a mighty Chaos warlord, form an alliance with the Adeptus Mechanicus, and renew a bond of friendship with an ancient Rogue Trader family. The Hospitallers' Crusade Wherein the Hospitallers Militant come to the aid of a Shrine World, rescue the sisters of an Order Hospitaller and fight side by side with the Sisters of Battle. Roland's Shield Crusade Wherein the Black Chapel of the Hospitallers Militant exterminate all life on twelve Imperial worlds and starve a splinter fleet of the Great Devourer unto death. Sargon's Bastion Crusade Wherein the Hospitallers Militant assault the stronghold of an old enemy, raze a mighty fortress, and deal a deathblow to a Chaos warband. The Golgotha Reclamation Crusade Wherein the Hospitallers Militant invade the Ork infested world of Golgotha and rescue the gene-seeds of a fallen ally. The Road to Salvation Purgation Crusade Wherein the Hospitallers Militant purge the taint of a Chaos cult from a pilgrimage fleet with flame and sword, ship by ship. The Coming Darkness For century after century, the Hospitallers Militant have brought hope and death in the Emperor's name across the galaxy, but there is still suffering without end. The end of the 41st millennium is near its bloody end with no respite in site. All the seers of the Librarius see ahead is even greater darkness. A Council of the Brotherhood of Praetor is declared. Prognosticators from all the chapters are predicting that a great cataclysm is about to befall the Imperium. Storms are building in the warp. War drums are sounding. Abaddon will unleash a new crusade upon the galaxy. But, where or when, no one knows. All the prophets can say is that it will be soon. The Brotherhood agrees that they will consolidate their forces in the northern reaches of the galaxy, near their bastions of power and make ready. Grand Master Gered Tomisian waits with anticipation and a sense of foreboding. It is the year 999M.41 and there is only war. CHAPTER ORGANIZATION Honoring the Codex Astartes of their beloved father, Roboute Guilliman, the Hospitallers Militant form their fighting force and doctrine around this revered battle tome. Chapter Order of Battle Chapter Command Grand Master of the Hospitallers Militant: Gered Tomisian Honor Guard of the Chapter: 20 Veteran Knights seconded from the White Chapel The Knight Council: Advisors to the Grand Master Equerries and serfs Reclusium of Light Grand Reclusiarch 3 Knight Reclusiarchs 16 Knight Chaplains (10 seconded to the chapels) Acolytes and serfs Librarius Grand Marshal of the Librarius 3 Knight Commanders of the Librarius 3 Knight Epistolaries 6 Knight Codiciers 9 Knight Lexicanums Acolytes and serfs Apothecarium Surgeon Marshal of the Apothecarium 3 Knight Commanders of the Apothecarium 18 Knight Apothecaries (10 seconded to the chapels Helix Adepts (variable numbers of apprentice apothecaries, 10 of which are seconded to line companies) Biologus Genetors (Variable number seconded to the chapter by the Adeptus Mechanicus) Medice serfs Servo-meds Armorium Grand Marshal of the Forge 3 Knight Commander Techmarines 15 Knight Techmarines Knight Commander of Armor Forge Serfs Servo-techs Armorium: All armored fighting and support ground vehicles and heavy weapons Fleet Knight Admiral of the Fleet Fleet staff Ship Masters and serf crews Fleet servitors Ships of the Fleet: Battle Barges, Strike Cruisers, Vanguard Cruisers, Escort Ships, Armored Mass Conveyors, Support Vessels Drop Pods, Battle Support Flyers, Heavy Transports Fighting Companies White Chapel (The Purifiers): Veteran company Gold Chapel (The Light Bringers) Red Chapel (The Sacrificers) Green Chapel (The Life Givers) Black Chapel (The Destroyers) Reserve Companies Orange Chapel (Tactical) Purple Chapel (Tactical) Grey Chapel (Fast Attack) Blue Chapel (Heavy Weapons) Scout/Training Chapel of Learning and JudgementWARRIORS OF NOTE space for text Gered Tomisian, Grand Master of the Chapterspace for text Petrosus Vartanian, Knight Commander of the Destroyer Company (Black Chapel)space for text RECRUITMENT AND GENE-SEED Recruitment The Hospitallers Militant exact a tithe of the healthiest young males from the pilgrim fleets they guard and the worlds they liberate. No special test or ceremony of ordeal is required to become an initiate to the Chapter, for it is in the harsh and deadly ordeal of day to day survival that the worthy are tested. Gene-Seed The gene-seed of the Hospitallers Militant comes by way of their revered Primarch, Roboute Guilliman. It is among the most pure of Ultramarine stock as it comes directly from the era of the Great Crusade. COMBAT DOCTRINE AND BELIEFS Combat Doctrine The missions, tactics and strategies of the Hospitallers Millitant are derived primarily from the Codex Astartes. They are however known primarily for some of the specialized missions they perform. Among these are warzone disaster relief and mercy missions, pilgrim fleet escort, exploritor fleet escort, rogue trader escort, warzone gene-seed retrieval, and warzone gene-seed search and destroy missions. Some of the specialized missions are often talked about in hushed tones or not talked about at all. These are the missions of the Black Chapel, the Destroyer Company. Rebellions have ended on many worlds merely when the Black Chapel strike cruiser, Final Judgement enters high orbit. Space Marines from brother chapters who joke that the Hospitallers Militant are a chapter of medices fall silent at the mention of the Black Chapel. Descended directly from the destroyer companies of old, the Black Chapel bear the Chapter's most lethal and horrific weapons, that many chapters shun or outright forbid. They weild the deadly toxins, rad weapons, and virus bombs used to wipe away life in the Chapter's purgation and exterminatus missions, and they do it with a disquieting zeal. Beliefs Like the XIII Legion of old, the brothers of the Hospitallers Militant hold true to the Imperial Truth and revere the Emperor as the pinnacle of human evolution. They do tolerate and honor those who hold tight to the Imperial Creed and see the Emperor in the light of the divine as their strength and shield against the horrors of the universe and the warp. CHAPTER HERALDRY AND LIVERY Heraldry The symbol of the Hospitallers Militant is a simple bone white cross on a field of pale green. These are the universal symbols of life and healing, known to all in the 41st Millenium. The heraldry of the Destroyer Company is a simple ash gray cross on a field of black. Livery All but the Astartes of the Reclusium, the Librarius and the Black Chapel wear the bone white and pale green colors of the Hospitalers Militant. Veteran, line and reserve companies denote their colors with a wide band across the lower third of both paldrons. These companies also denote the company colors on their left knee guard with squad number stenciled over it in the high gothic form. All veterans' helmets are bone white. The officers and marines of the Black Chapel are liveried in ash gray armor with black paldrons and black aquila. Veteran officers also wear black robes and veteran marines wear a black tabard over their armor. Like many other chapters of the Adeptus Astartes, Chaplains are liveried black, symbolizing death and Librarians wear the blue of purified warp lightning. (LEFT) Knight Marshal, White Chapel (CENTER LEFT) Brother Knight, Red Chapel, 2nd Squad (CENTER RIGHT) Knight Commander, Red Chapel (RIGHT) Neophyte Scout (LEFT) Brother Knight, Black Chapel, 3rd Squad (CENTER) Veteran Knight Sergeant, Black Chapel Command Squad (RIGHT) Knight Commander, Black Chapel SUMMARY Whether they bear the white and green hearldry of life or the ash and black hearldry of death, all brothers of the Hospitallers Militant are the Emperor's Angels of Death, fearless warriors bringing hope to the living, vengeance for the dead and destruction to the xeno, traitor and daemon. ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Hail Warriors of the Liber and thank you for taking the time to look at my second article for the Liber Astartes Swap Challenge 2021 (It's still a shell as I post this, but I'll be adding text in a few days). Critiques and questions are welcomed and appreciated. Allow me to apologize in advance if my responses are not prompt. We're down to the wire on Phase 1 and I'm pressing myself to finish this and my other article. No suprise that the creation of the Hospitallers Militant was heavily influenced by the Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem. The genesis of the Hospitallers Militant goes way back to a time before I'd even heard of the Bolter and Chainsword and had just gotten bit by the 40K bug (2006ish). In fact, it was my first 40K army build. I created the general back story and army for one of my long time gaming buddies. He had been into 40K and a Space Marines fan long before I got into this. He is a huge gaming fan (all kinds) but at the time had not played for some time. He was in Med School at the time, and apparently that's kind of a life consuming experience. Upon graduation, I presented the Hospitallers Militant army to him. I'm pleased to say that he plays it to this day. In closing, I dedicate this article and the Hospitallers Militant chapter to my friend and all healers and warriors in the eternal war against disease and deprivation in all its forms.

INDEX ASTARTES space for heraldry The Liberation Knights Chapter "Citizens of the Imperium, look to the skies and take courage. Liberation is at hand." - Transmission across all vox frequencies prior to the assault on the Tobrec Iron Worlds CHAPTER INDEX Brother Cyrus of the 2nd Attack Squad, Gamma Company in basic livery Primogenitor Legion: XIII Legion, Ultramarines Primogenitor Primarch: Roboute Guilliman Founding: =][= REDACTED BY ORDER OF THE INQUISITION =][= Chapter Master: Nicodemus Furore Home world: Elisius IV Chapter Monastery: Aquilae Oculus (The Eagle's Eye) Strength: Approximately 1,000 Line Astartes Specialty: Vanguard assault and decapitation strike Heraldry: Downward pointing sword, breaking a horizontal chain against a red, white and blue striped shield Chapter Colors: Insignia Red, Insignia White, Insignia Blue Special Note: The Liberation Knights often incorporate camouflage or base field color in their armor livery as is practical to a given theatre of operations. Battle Cry: Liberatatem Gladio (Freedom by the sword) HISTORY To their allies and brother space marine chapters, the Liberation Knights are a young and energetic chapter, eager to make a name for itself by throwing itself into battle at every opportunity, often at the tip of the spear of Imperial campaigns. Like all new chapters, they are quick to the fight and inexperienced. Only the Liberation Knights and a chosen few Imperial organizations know the real truth of it. A few, such as the venerable Bjorn, the Fell Handed of the Space Wolves still live who have seen with their own eyes, the founding of the Imperium of Man, its rise and glory lead by the hand of The Emperor and it's fall and slide into darkness at the hand of Horus Lupercal. Among these rare souls unknown to but a few, the Chapter Masters and Veterans of five young chapters witnessed these wonderous and cursed beginnings as warriors of Roboute Guilliman's XIII Legion, Ultramarines. Many of these veterans of the XIII Legion are the founding members of the LIberation Knights Space Marine chapter. This is their story. Origin It is 018.M31, the third year of the Great Scouring. The traitor Horus is dead and the forces of the ruinous powers are in full retreat. At last, the Imperium was on the offensive. As part of the Great Scouring, Lord Commander Roboute Guilliman has launched retribution fleets with broad mandates to seek out and destroy Chaos forces and enclaves, and to aid to aid loyal forces and citizens as necessary. Among these avenging armadas is Retribution Fleet Praetor, under command of Chapter Master Mericus Bellerophon and spearheaded by his 14th Chapter of the XIII Legion, Ultramarines. At the point of Bellerophon's spear was often found First Captain Nicodemus Furore and his 214th Assault Battallion, Ultores. On 018237.M31, Furore had returned to Fleet Praetor proper with his task force after pursing and destroying a splinter fleet of the Alpha Legion. During the civil war, Furore had witnessed many atrocities committed by the Alpha Legion and fought numerous running battles with them. He especially relished every chance he was given to fight his particular foe. Within days of his return, Fleet Praetor came under attack from a large Chaos fleet. To the exclusion of all else, the Ruinous Forces set upon the thousands of refugee ships Fleet Praetor was escorting to Imperial space. Furore, like his commander understood the situation and what must be done. He immediately offered up his task force to attack the enemy fleet to allow the bulk of Fleet Praetor and the refugee ships to escape. Bellerophon refused his first captain's request in favor of a force made up of Imperial Navy forces lead by another close friend, Fleet Master Marcus Voyen. Voyen, a veteran, and master of fleet tactics had enough ships and fire power to tie up and cripple the Chaos fleet. But, in order to inflict such damage, there would be no return. As Voyen's forces rounded on the foe, Fleet Praetor and their refugee charges slid into the warp. Furore said a silent blessing for Voyen and in the Emperor's name, swore eternal vengeance as he followed his Chapter Master. Upon entering the warp, Furore's task force slammed into a warp storm more savage than any he had ever encountered. Many of his ships were smashed or swept away from the bulk of the fleet. After what seemed like and eternity, Furore's own battle barge, the Light of Freedom exited the warp along with the battered survivors of his task force. But, where was the rest of the fleet? Where was Bellerophon? After assessing damage and initiating repairs, Furore commanded searches, but of the main fleet there was no sign or signal. From his navigators, he received the most disturbing news. The warp had ejected them one hundred centuries into the future. But Furore, is unruffled. With faith in the Emperor and Bellerophon, he launches pathfinder ships to search for Fleet Praetor and news of the Imperium. After twenty-five years of searching, fighting and liberating lost Imperial worlds from xeno races and chaos tyrants in the northern reaches of the galaxy, Furore makes contact with Bellerophon and rejoins his chapter master and continues the search for the rest of the fleet. After many battles and long searching over more than a century, Bellerophon is finally content that he has made contact with all surviving elements of his fleet. He has lost many ships along with over five thousand Astartes, and countless freemen and civilian refugees. Also, through an extensive intelligence network he and his Librarius have established, he has a clear view of what has become of the Imperium. They are truly in a dark age, in every sense of the word. At the end of what would later be known as the First Tyrannic War, and after furious battle with the Tyrannid invaders on the edges of Ultramar, Bellerophon makes contact with Macrage and meets with Marneus Calgar in secret. Once convinced of the truth behind Bellerophon's fantastic tale, the two Chapter Masters confer and make plans for the inevitable confrontation with the Inquisition. For Calgar and the Ultramarines, meeting Astartes from the XIII Legion is a miracle. To actually speak with brothers who stood with the Emperor and the Primarch, who witnessed the Emperor's dream made manifest and then sundered by Horus' treason is nothing short of a wonder for them. For the Inquisition, it is nothing short of the ultimate nightmare. To actually have eye witnesses to the Horus Heresy walking in the Imperium is intolerable. The Inquisition arrives in force with elements of Battlefleet Ultima, demanding the surrender of Bellerophon, his Astartes, and all freemen and civilians under his authority. The inquisitorial forces are faced by ships of the Ultramarines, the Ultramar Defense Force, and elements of Retribution Fleet Praetor. Inquisitor Aegottubg tells Chapter Master Calgar that more forces are on their way. Calgar smiles and assures the Inquisitor that they most certainly are. Numerous warp portals appear at the Mandeville Point and swarms of Primogenitor war ships pour through and take up battle positions behind the Imperial naval forces, weapons locked. After long and tense deliberation, a compromise is arrived at. Under supervision of the Ultramarines Chapter, Bellerophon and his people will submit to inspection by the Inquisition and the Grey Knights. Once cleared, the forces of Retribution Fleet Praetor will be divided into five groups that will form the nucleus of five new chapters of Astartes. The new chapters will then take charge of all accompanying freemen and civilians who will be bonded in servitude to the chapters for life as will their children and children's children in perpetuity. Secret charters are issued, and all are sworn to silence. Thus are born the Praetorian Sword, the Ursan Lords, the Hammers of Ultramar, the Hospitallers Militant and the Liberation Knights, five new Space Marine chapters to bring the Emperor's Light to the darkness. Creation of the Brotherhood of Praetor Before embarking on their individual destinies, the Masters of the five chapters swear eternal friendship and loyalty. Each promises to come to the aid of the others when called. The Tobrec Iron Worlds Liberation Campaign In their first major engagement, the Liberation Knights spearhead an ad hoc Imperial force to liberate the Tobrec forge system from a warband of the Black Legion. First, they must attack and take control simultaneously four defense planetoids before the Chaos forces can fully activate them. If the Knights fail, the liberation fails. The Fell Devil Straits Purgation Campaign The Liberation Knights engage the Dark Eldar in a protracted war to eliminate piracy in the straits. The Elisian Liberation Campaign The Liberation Knights extract and destroy a Tau army of occupation in the Elisian star system, and purge the corrupt leadeship which allowed this affront to the Imperium. The Chapter is rewarded with Elisius IV as its new home world. The Lernaean Liberation Campaign Tracking an Alpha Legion warband to its citadel base on the swamp world of Lerna II, Beta Company gives battle. While engaging Alpha Legion forces on the ground, all contact is lost with Beta Company. The End of the 41st Millennium and the Coming Darkness It is the end of the 41st Millennium and the forces of the Liberation Knights are stretched across multiple fronts with no respite in sight. Beta Company has been lost. A Council of the Brotherhood of Praetor is declared. Prognosticators and Tarot Readers from each chapter read the same signs. A great cataclysm will befall the Imperium. Storms are building in the warp. War drums are sounding. Abaddon will unleash a new crusade across the galaxy, but where or when, no one can say. All the prophets can say is that it will be soon. The Brotherhood agrees that they will consolidate their forces in the northern reaches of the galactic plain, near their bastions of power to watch and prepare. Furore sends scouts to watch the Eye of Terror for signs. Now, all he can do is wait. It is the year 999M.41 and there is only war. CHAPTER ORGANIZATION The Chapter is generally organized along the lines of the Codex Astartes, with a few exceptions. The line companies each carry two additional Assault Squads of five Astartes each, while reducing its Devastator Squads to five men each as well. While of ancient birth and with access to massive relic armor and exotic siege weapons, the Liberation Knights eschewed these weapons for simpler ones such as the Rhino, Razorback, Predator, Whirlwind and Vindicator which are more compatible with its tactics. Chapter Order of Battle Chapter Command Chapter Master of the Liberation Knights: Nicodemus Furore, called The Eagle The Eagle's Talons: Honor Guard to the Chapter Master (10 Vanguard Veterans seconded from Alpha Company) The Voice: Advisors to the Chapter Master Equerries and serfs Reclusium Librarius Apothecarium Armorium Fleet Veteran Company Alpha Company (called the Eagle's Avengers) Battle Companies Beta Company (called the Fire Serpents) Gamma Company (called the Lightning Swords) Delta Company (called the Howling Storm) Epsilon Company (called the Black Spear) Reserve Companies Zeta Company (Tactical Reserve) Iota Company (Tactical Reserve) Kappa Company (Assault Reserve) Lambda Company (Heavy Support Reserve) Scout/Training Company Nu Company WARRIORS OF NOTE From the Chapter Command Nicodemus Furore (Chapter Master of the Liberation Knights) Orbis Ruptor (Champion of the Chapter) Stavus Exterus (Chief Librarian, Master of the Sanctum Sanctorum) Roter Herronimus (Master of the Reclusium, called the Crimson Chaplain) Antonius Obstrinxerus (Master of the Forge, called Ferrum Virum) Tor Odyssius (Master of the Fleet, called Thunder and Lightning) From Alpha Company Kibrius Simonius (Brother Captain, called Primus Vindicem) From Beta Company Boran Zemorus (Brother Captain, called Master of Serpents) RECRUITMENT AND GENE-SEED Prior to the aquisition of its home world, the Liberation Knights recruited by way of tithe from the worlds they liberated. Upon settling on Elisius IV, the Chapter now recruits by way of The Challenge. Every five years youths travel from their homes to the foot of the Eagle's Claw, the highest mountain and home to the Chapter fortress monastery. Those who successfully climb the mountain and reach the fortress monastery are accepted into the Chapter as neophytes. The gene-seed of the Chapter is exceptionally pure and produces exceptional marines, the likes not seen since ancient times. The secret to the quality of gentic material is that it has not been diluted over many millennia. It is the direct product of the progenoid glands of Astartes who served in the XIII Legion, Ultramarines. COMBAT DOCTRINE AND BELIEFS To fight its lightning wars against the dark forces that bedevil the Imperium of Man, the Liberation Knights rely on fast ships, fleet warriors and lightning tactics, all in accordance with the Codex of their mighty Primarch, Roboute Guilliman, mostly. Chapter Master Nicodemus Furore is not above bending a rule or two to achieve victory. The core of the strategic and tactical doctrines of the Liberation Knights is to strike hard and fast at nerve centers and weak points in enemy lines. To achieve victory, the chapter relies on scouts behind enemy lines to provide accurate intelligence and to sew mayhem. Fast ships deliver drop pods and assault troops in the initial wave of an attack, quickly bolstered by fast moving tanks and covered by swift gunships. In the void, the Master of the Fleet employs fast, maneuverable ships to harass enemy vessels to deny their ground forces orbital support. The tactics Odyssius favors were learned and inspired by his time spent observing the White Scars during the Great Crusade. He has spent decades refitting his ships in line with the designs of the Great Khan in order to increase speed and maneuverability. When not engaged in battle, the slower, more powerful battle barges are used as logistical support hubs for the battle companies. This allows the Liberation Knights to spread their wings across multiple wide fronts and still maintain rapid repair and a steady supply line. Although the Chapter might occasionally stretch the interpretation of the Codes Astartes, they give it all due respect as they do their Primarch. The Chapter honors the teachings and genetic heritage of Roboute Guilliman as they are still inspired by his vision and that of the Emperor, whom they honor as the pinacle of human evolution. Although they do not see the Emperor as a god, they are tolerant and understanding of those that do, for they see value in this as well. CHAPTER HERALDRY AND LIVERY The heraldry of the Liberation Knights is that of a downward pointing black sword, breaking a black chain against a shield of red, white and blue vertical stripes. Red signifies the blood of sacrifice, blue, the purity of purpose and white for lightning swiftness of attack. Every Astartes wears this shield proudly on their left paldron. The basic livery of the Chapter armor is blue with red gloves, forearms and elbow guard. Company colors are visible on the trim of both paldrons, the chest plate aquila and a low gothic number on the left knee guard, signifying the bearer's squad. Chaplains wear the color of black death, while Librarians are liveried in the traditional blue of the Librarius. Traditional tactical and command marks are in white. Veterans are marked by a vertical white stripe across the top of the helmet. In many campaigns the Liberation Knights find it a useful enhancement by coloring their armor in camouflage or a general color of the terrain they are fighting in. (LEFT) Veteran Brother Rimaldus, Alpha Company, 3rd Sternguard Squad, standard livery (CENTER LEFT) Brother Clavius, Delta Company, 2nd Attack Squad, standard livery (CENTER RIGHT) Neophyte Scout Barnabus, standard livery (RIGHT) Brother Sergeant Duganus, Delta Company, 4th Assault Squad, Elisian Liberation Campaign livery SUMMARY The Liberation Knights honor their Primarch by holding fast to his dream of a better Imperium, and bringing death and destruction to the enemies of man with lightning speed and ferocity. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Greetings Liberites and welcome to the Liberation Knights article shell. I hope to have this article completed (mostly that is) in time for the end of Phase 1 of the 2021 Liber Astartes Swap Challenge. Right now the majority of this article is in notes and in my head. I'm just stubborn and mad enough to think I can finish this and a second article in time Wish me luck The genesis of this article can be found below. It's an idea draft for my first incarnation of the Liberation Knights that I formed while developing my primary DIY chapter, the Praetorian Sword that was first presented for the LASC 2019. Hidden Content #1 http://bolterandchainsword.com//public/style_images/carbon_red/icon_share.png http://bolterandchainsword.com//public/style_images/carbon_red/post_online.png Brother Lunkhead Posted 14 August 2019 - 03:09 PM (IP: 162.158.214.161) ++ ANTICUS ÆSALON ++ ++ MODERATI ++ http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/public/style_extra/team_icons/Elite.gif 1,809 posts 0 warning points Location:Radlands of Merica Faction: Praetorian Sword, Ultramarines Gender:Male Greetings folks and welcome to my newest ADD DIY project . I should be working on my primary IA, the Praetorian Sword. But, why do that when I can PROCRASTINATE This particular project has it's origins in the dim past of my misadventures in the 40Kverse. It's based on a Space Marine figure I saw in a display case at my LFGS. It was painted up as a widely known pop culture figure (to be revealed at a later date). I was immediately inspired to create a Chapter based on that mini. So many years later, the Praetorian Sword and it's fellow Founding No. 1619 chapters gave me the opening without being contrived and eye rolling over-the-top.... just over-the-top. As I evolved the Liberation Knights, I drew inspiration from the following: U.S. history History of Airborne/Paratrooper development Airborne Operations of WW II (allied and axis) Special Operations of WW II (allied and axis) The common soldier (all uncommon actually) Hebraic bond servant and slave culture Greco-Roman military culture Specific iconic pop culture heroes Adventure films and serials of the 1930's, 1940's, and 1950's So, here we go...… as always, comments and money are welcome IA: Liberation Knights "Citizens of the Imperium, take heart and look to the skies. Liberation is at hand." - Planets-wide transmission by Chapter Master Furore' prior to the assault on the Tobrec Iron Worlds http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/sm.php?b62c=@hh8a4_h1YuI.hBgCA@.@@___ia3h6_.@@_iakk7@@@@hSsP6@@@@@@____@@@@@@@@@@..@@@___@@_@.@@.iakk7&grid=TRUE ORIGIN: At the end of the Horus Heresy and as part of the Scouring, Roboute Guilliman sends out several retribution fleets with broad mandates to seek and destroy surviving Chaos forces and enclaves, and to assist loyalist forces and civilians as necessary. One of these fleets, Retribution Fleet Praetor is under command of Chapter Master Mericus Bellerophon, former Invictarus Suzerain commander and part of Guilliman's inner circle. While escorting a civilian refugee fleet to safe Imperial space, they are ambushed by a combined Chaos fleet which immediately sets upon the civilian ships. Bellerophon, immediately understands that his choices are limited. If he turns and fights he can destroy the Chaos fleet, but at the cost of the refugee fleet. He can run, but the Chaos forces will simply follow, and like a pack of wolves pick off the weaker civilian ships one by one. The only viable option is to have a portion of his fleet turn and fight a holding action, allowing the bulk of the fleet time to escape. Fleet Master Marcus Voyen (Bellerophon's closest human friend) volunteers to lead the holding action. Bellerophon knows that Voyen is the best man for the job and that it is also a suicide mission. He will never see his friend or the ships of the holding squadrons again. Voyen launches his desperate little fleet into a savage attack against the Chaos forces, while the bulk of Fleet Praetor and the refugee fleet escape into the warp. In their death run, Voyen's forces smash the Chaos fleet and Bellerephon's rage and hatred of Chaos is fueled even brighter by the death of his friend and so many of his ship crews. It is a hatred that will burn hot until the day he dies. Upon entering the warp, the fleet encounters a storm of power and ferocity unlike any they had ever experienced. Many ships are lost and huge portions of the fleet are separated in the storm. As the surviving squadrons exit the warp they are scattered throughout the galactic rim. But that is not the worst of it. Navigators and ship cartographers inform the Chapter Master that the stars are wrong. His ships have not only been flung to the far reaches of the galaxy but the far reaches of time as well. It is estimated that they are almost ten thousand years in the future. After many battles and long searching over more than a century, Bellerophon is finally content that he has made contact with all surviving elements of his fleet. He has lost many ships along with over five thousand Astartes, and countless freemen and civilian refugees. Also, through an extensive intelligence network he and his Librarius have established, he has a clear view of what has become of the Imperium. They are truly in a dark age, in every sense of the word. At the end of what would later be known as the First Tyrannic War, and after furious battle with the Tyrannid invaders on the edges of Ultramar, Bellerophon makes contact with Macrage and meets with Marneus Calgar in secret. Once convinced of the truth behind Bellerophon's fantastic tale, the two Chapter Masters confer and make plans for the inevitable confrontation with the Inquisition. For Calgar and the Ultramarines, meeting Astartes from the XIII Legion is a miracle. To actually speak with brothers who stood with the Emperor and the Primarch, who witnessed the Emperor's dream made manifest and then sundered by Horus' treason is nothing short of a wonder for them. For the Inquisition, it is nothing short of the ultimate nightmare. To actually have eye witnesses to the Horus Heresy walking in the Imperium is intolerable. The Inquisition arrives in force with elements of Battlefleet Ultima, demanding the surrender of Bellerophon, his Astartes, and all freemen and civilians under his authority. The inquisitorial forces are faced by ships of the Ultramarines, the Ultramar Defense Force, and elements of Retribution Fleet Praetor. Inquisitor Egotoobig tells Chapter Master Calgar that more forces are on their way. Calgar smiles and assures the Inquisitor that they most certainly are. Numerous warp portals appear at the Mandeville Point and swarms of Primogenitor war ships pour through and take up battle positions behind the Imperial naval forces, weapons locked. After long and tense deliberation, a compromise is arrived at. Under supervision of the Ultramarines Chapter, Bellerophon and his people will submit to inspection by the Inquisition and the Grey Knights. Once cleared, the forces of Retribution Fleet Praetor will be divided into five groups that will form the nucleus of five new chapters of Astartes. The new chapters will then take charge of all accompanying freemen and civilians who will be bonded in servitude to the chapters for life as will their children and children's children in perpetuity. Secret charters are issued, and all are sworn to silence. Thus is born the Praetorian Sword, the Hospitallers Militant, the Hammers of Ultramar, the Ursan Lords, and the Liberation Knights, new Space Marine chapters to bring the Emperors Light to the darkness. SUMMARY: Headquartered in the northern fringe of Segmentum Obscurus, the Liberation Knights are one of five Astartes Chapters created from the XIII Legion Praetor Retribution Fleet. The chapter is organized generally along Codex: Astartes lines, fielding approximately one thousand Space Marines in ten companies. The Liberation Knights favor fast attack and assault tactics above all else. To that end, Battleline companies eschew two Fire Support squads in favor of two additional Assault squads. Fire support is provided by the 9th (Fire Support) Reserve Company as needed. Armored and Artillery support is provided by basic Pedators and Whirlwind tanks, and of recent introduction, Repulsors and Impulsor Primaris tanks. The chapter possesses no exotic or relic armor. The Liberation Knights possess only a single Battle Barge (Light of Freedom), which is used only for large scale deployments as a command and control node and supply base for it's fleet of many Vanguard/Strike Cruisers, and fast attack and defense vessels. The Chapter has enthusiastically embraced the addition of their new Primaris brothers and equipment, as they add new repertoire to their favored form of combat. While they uphold the Imperial Truth and their Primarch's highest ideals with a tough "can do" attitude, the personality of the Liberation Knights is decidedly adventurous and devil-may-care. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ BASIC DATA: Primogenitor Legion: XIII Legion, Ultramarines Primarch Primogenitor: Roboute Guilliman Founding: Classified (=][= Inquisitorial File 1619 =][=) Chapter Master: Nicodemus Furore' Homeworld: Ellisus IV - Imperium Nihilus Chapter Monastery: Aquilae Oculus Known Descendants: None Colors: Red, White, Blue Special Note - While not an official chapter color, the Liberation Knights incorporate olive green in their armor livery in honor of the common Imperial Guardsman, "who bears the greatest burden." Specialty: Vanguard assault and decapitation strike Battle Cry: Libertatem Gladio _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ [Place Holder for Stuff] _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Edited by Brother Lunkhead, 01 October 2019 - 04:25 PM. For those who are gluttons for punishment, the entire original thread can be accessed here. The basic idea is intact, but much of the detail has changed. I must thank Bjorn Firewalker for his relentless critique of this chapter. He inspired me to revisit many of my initial ideas and make many changes that I hope are for the better. Thanks for that Brother Bjorn

INDEX ASTARTES The Praetorian Sword Chapter "Fire and death to the daemon, the heretic, and the xeno. Liberation and hope to the beleaguered Servants of the Emperor. This is our calling and our oath, unto the last breath of the last warrior." - Chapter Master Mericus Bellerophon CHAPTER INDEX Primogenitor Legion: XIII Legion, UltramarinesPrimarch Primogenitor: Roboute Guilliman Founding: Classified (WARNING =][= REDACTED BY ORDER OF THE INQUISITION =][= WARNING) Chapter Master: Mericus Bellerophon Home world: Fleet-based Chapter Monastery: Battle Barge - Fury of Terra Strength: 1,000 Line Astartes (approximate number) Specialty: Rapid strike and purgation Heraldry: Skyward pointing gladius over a flaming agemo Chapter Colors: Sea Blue and Steel Battle Cry: Fury and Fire * PRIMOGENITOR space for text HISTORY In many ways, the Praetorian Sword is a Chapter out of its place in time. Descended directly from their beloved Primarch's XIII Legion, many of it's brothers remember the golden era of empire, and struggle to make peace with being thrust into an era of darkness, and hopelessness. But, they are Guilliman's finest and will take the fight to the Emperor's enemies no matter where or when they are. Origin At the end of the Horus Heresy and as part of the Scouring, Roboute Guilliman sends out several retribution fleets with broad mandates to seek and destroy surviving Chaos forces and enclaves, and to assist loyalist forces and civilians as necessary. One of these fleets, Retribution Fleet Praetor is under command of Chapter Master Mericus Bellerophon, former Invictarus Suzerain commander and part of Guilliman's inner circle. While escorting a civilian refugee fleet to safe Imperial space, they are ambushed by a combined Chaos fleet which immediately sets upon the civilian ships. Bellerophon, immediately understands that his choices are limited. If he turns and fights he can destroy the Chaos fleet, but at the cost of the refugee fleet. He can run, but the Chaos forces will simply follow, and like a pack of wolves pick off the weaker civilian ships one by one. The only viable option is to have a portion of his fleet turn and fight a holding action, allowing the bulk of the fleet time to escape. Fleet Master Marcus Voyen (Bellerophon's closest human friend) volunteers to lead the holding action. Bellerophon knows that Voyen is the best man for the job and that it is also a suicide mission. He will never see his friend or the ships of the holding squadrons again. Voyen launches his desperate little fleet into a savage attack against the Chaos forces, while the bulk of Fleet Praetor and the refugee fleet escape into the warp. In their death run, Voyen's forces smash the Chaos fleet and Bellerephon's rage and hatred of Chaos is fueled even brighter by the death of his friend and so many of his ship crews. It is a hatred that will burn hot until the day he dies. Upon entering the warp, the fleet encounters a storm of power and ferocity unlike any they had ever experienced. Many ships are lost and huge portions of the fleet are separated in the storm. As the surviving squadrons exit the warp they are scattered throughout the galactic rim. But that is not the worst of it. Navigators and ship cartographers inform the Chapter Master that the stars are wrong. His ships have not only been flung to the far reaches of the galaxy but the far reaches of time as well. It is estimated that they are almost ten thousand years in the future. After many battles and long searching over more than a century, Bellerophon is finally content that he has made contact with all surviving elements of his fleet. He has lost many ships along with over five thousand Astartes, and countless freemen and civilian refugees. Also, through an extensive intelligence network he and his Librarius have established, he has a clear view of what has become of the Imperium. They are truly in a dark age, in every sense of the word. At the end of what would later be known as the First Tyrannic War, and after furious battle with the Tyrannid invaders on the edges of Ultramar, Bellerophon makes contact with Macrage and meets with Marneus Calgar in secret. Once convinced of the truth behind Bellerophon's fantastic tale, the two Chapter Masters confer and make plans for the inevitable confrontation with the Inquisition. For Calgar and the Ultramarines, meeting Astartes from the XIII Legion is a miracle. To actually speak with brothers who stood with the Emperor and the Primarch, who witnessed the Emperor's dream made manifest and then sundered by Horus' treason is nothing short of a wonder for them. For the Inquisition, it is nothing short of the ultimate nightmare. To actually have eye witnesses to the Horus Heresy walking in the Imperium is intolerable. The Inquisition arrives in force with elements of Battlefleet Ultima, demanding the surrender of Bellerophon, his Astartes, and all freemen and civilians under his authority. The inquisitorial forces are faced by ships of the Ultramarines, the Ultramar Defense Force, and elements of Retribution Fleet Praetor. Inquisitor Aegottub'g tells Chapter Master Calgar that more forces are on their way. Calgar smiles and assures the Inquisitor that they most certainly are. Numerous warp portals appear at the Mandeville Point and swarms of Primogenitor war ships pour through and take up battle positions behind the Imperial naval forces, weapons locked. After long and tense deliberation, a compromise is arrived at. Under supervision of the Ultramarines Chapter, Bellerophon and his people will submit to inspection by the Inquisition and the Grey Knights. Once cleared, the forces of Retribution Fleet Praetor will be divided into five groups that will form the nucleus of five new chapters of Astartes. The new chapters will then take charge of all accompanying freemen and civilians who will be bonded in servitude to the chapters for life as will their children and children's children in perpetuity. Secret charters are issued, and all are sworn to silence. Thus is born the Praetorian Sword, one of five new Space Marine chapters to bring the Emperors Light to the darkness. The 41st Millennium and the Coming Storm space for text The 42nd Millennium and the Dark Imperium space for text Timeline space for text CHAPTER ORGANIZATION Descended directly from Roboute Guilliman's XIII Legion, the Praetorian Sword Chapter brings a unique perspective to Space Marine operations. At the time of the Dark Imperium there were still a few who remembered the Great Crusade and the Horus Heresy. They were there when their beloved Primarch was still writing his Codex and a time before the Chapters. Still, loyal to the ideals and logistical acumen of the Lord Commander of the Imperium, they are a Codex compliant chapter. But they remember his most important if not controversial directive, "Do whatever is necessary to win." Per directions from the Codex, the Praetorian Sword Chapter is divided into ten companies, each containing one hundred Battle Brothers. Each is lead by a Battle Captain and retinue chosen from or by the Chapter Command. These Command Squads are made up of the Chapter's wisest and most valiant warriors, heroes in every sense of the word. The Chapter Master leads this mighty force with leadership and support of his Chapter Command, Armourium, Apothecarion, Reclusium, Librarius. The Chapter sails into battle aboard the mighty void-worthy fighting ships of the Chapter Fleet. The powerful weapons of the fleet ensure that the Chapter's most potent weapons, its Astartes are supported and delivered on target by the fleet's many drop pods and transports. Further support is had from the tanks, artillery, interceptors, fighter craft, and gunships of the Armourium. Chapter Command space for text Armourium space for text Reclusium space for text Apothecarion space for text Librarius space for text Fleet Command space for text Servus Civis space for text Companies of the Chapter VETERANS In the 1st Company you will find the Chapter's most seasoned veterans. They possess martial skills, and tactical and strategic wisdom possessed by only a few outside of the company. These are skills hard won. These warriors have spent decades and In some cases, centuries fighting the Emperor's enemies. When fighting as a whole, the 1st Company is a mighty force to be reckoned with. However, the Veteran Company seldom fights as a company. Individuals and squads are more often found lending their martial skill and knowledge to individual strike forces, battle-line companies and reserve companies. Spread over multiple war zones, Veterans of the 1st Company are a considerable force multiplier. The 1st Company BATTLE COMPANIES The 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Companies comprise the Chapter's Battle Companies, and are the mainstay of the Praetorian Sword's fighting force. Strike Forces are primarily drawn from the Battle Companies. While the Praetorian Sword is known and feared for it's massive chapter assaults, it is still rare to see more than one Battle Company in a war zone, as one is usually more than sufficient to crush an enemy. Except for the 1st Company, it is in these Battle Companies you will find the Praetorian Sword's most experienced battle-forged Astartes. The 2nd Company The 3rd Company The 4th Company The 5th Company RESERVE COMPANIES In war zones across the Imperium, as Battle Company casualties increase or more fire power is needed to dislodge an enemy, the Squads of the 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th Reserve Companies are called in. It is seldom that the Reserve Companies fight as cohesive units. Due to the vast distances from the Fleet Proper that Strike Forces and Battle Companies normally engage in battle, individual Reserve Company Squads are more often than not, embedded with these more experienced battle groups where they can be called on at a moment's notice. Battleline Reserve Companies The 6th and 7th Reserve Companies are each made up of one hundred Batttleline Astartes, divided into ten squads. It is in these Battleline Companies that young Astartes truly put into practice all they have learned since their early days as Neophytes. Here, they not only fight in fully functional battleline squads, but learn to fight from Bikes, Land Speeders, and the primary battle tanks of the Chapter, the Predator and Repulsor. Astartes are not simply super soldiers, fighting in squads and from formations of light fast attack vehicles and chapter tanks, but like the knights of old, individual warriors of legend. It is from the 6th and 7th Companies that each Space Marine executes his first individual special missions and quests. These missions range from ambassadorial missions, representing the Chapter at the inauguration of a new planetary governor to delivering a primitive Imperial world from the predations of insidious xeno or corrupted foes that they are ill equipped to defeat or even understand. From these two companies, individual Space Marines become true warriors and enter the ranks of the Battle Companies. The 6th Company The 7th Company Close Support Reserve Company The one hundred Battle-Brothers of the 8th Company constitute the close support reserve force of the Praetorian Sword Chapter. This company is made up entirely of war hardened Space Marines from battle-line squads of the Chapter's Battle Companies. They are specifically chosen for their aggression and close combat skill and forged further in the techniques of shock attack and close quarter killing. Many Chapter and Company Champions have come through the ranks of the 8th Company. The 8th Company Fire Support Reserve Compnay When Strike Forces and Battle Companies require additional heavy weapons' support, the Battle-Brothers of the 9th Fire Support Reserve Company are called on to rain fire and death upon the enemies of the Emperor. For the one hundred Battle-Brothers that constitute the 9th Company, this is their first experience as full fledged Astartes. When a Neophyte of the 10th Company receives his Black Carapace and Power Armor as a recognized Space Marine, he enters the ranks of the 9th Company. It is here he receives his initial training in heavy weapons use and deployment, as well as basic infantry tactics. It is in these ranks he also tastes front-line combat for the first time. The 9th Company THE NEOPHYTES AND THE VANGUARD It is in the ranks of the 10th Scout Company that young Neophytes are forged into and receive their initial training and indoctrination that will transform them into the Emperor's Angels of Death, the most feared warriors in the galaxy. Under the watchful eye of Brother Captain Paulus Romulus, Master of Recruits and Master of the Vanguard, the Scout Sergeants of the 10th Company train Neophytes in the arts of reconnaissance, stealth, sabotage, sniper operations, and other special operations. Whether through hypno-indoctrination or practical field operations, young Scouts learn all the skills necessary to act as the eyes, ears, and weapons of the Chapter behind enemy lines. The 10th is also the home of ten Vanguard Squads of the Praetorian Sword Chapter. The Vanguard are the Chapter's elite reconnaissance and special operations warriors, dealing death and terror to the enemy from the shadows. Whether elites of the Vanguard Squads or raw neophyte Scouts, all of the 10th Company are vital elements in the Chapter's war efforts. The 10th Company CHAPTER FLEET Being a fleet-based chapter, the Praetorian Sword boasts a sizable fleet with a large variety of vessels for both combat operations and support. It is a veritable warp capable Chapter World. From huge Battle Barges and Forge Tenders to small Scout Sloops and Supply Transports, whether a combat or support vessel, all ships of the fleet have one single mission, support Space Marine combat operations. Battle Fleet Once part of the vast ancient Retribution Fleet Praetor, the Battle Fleet of the Praetorian Sword is made up of for all practical purposes, the prototype ships-of-the-line of modern Space Marine battle fleets. These ships are a mix of rebuilt and repaired Crusade era ships to newly built (new for them) post Horus Heresy fighting vessels. Gone however, were the vast sculptured elegant ships of the Crusade. These fighting ships were a leaner, more practical and angry breed of starships, rechristened with names befitting a fleet designed specifically to deal out the Emperor's mercy and justice. Although from an earlier era, Astartes and Imperial Navy crews of the 41st and 42nd millennium recognize the lines of modern Battle Barges, Strike and Vanguard Cruisers, Gladius Frigates, Hunter Destroyers, and Nova Frigates. Lance Frigate Controversy When the five new Astartes Chapters were created, the still vast Praetor fleet was divided up between the chapters, each in accordance to it's mission and needs. Many ships of the former Retribution Fleet however, were now forbidden to Space Marine chapters. These mighty battleships, heavy cruisers and other ships-of-the-line were offered up to the Imperial Navy, which gladly accepted them. Conspicuously missing from the intended Imperial Navy manifest were the bulk of the large number of lance frigates that Fleet Praetor was known to have. When queried on this subject, Chapter Master Bellerophon shrugged and noted that each squadron of the new chapter fleets possessed one proto-Nova Frigate. He commented that being fleet based in nature and not relying on Imperial Naval support for many operations, the Astartes fleets would require a small number of ship killers for fleet defense. In actuality, Bellerophon deeply distrusted Imperial Navy High Command and their ties to the Inquistion. He considered both groups to be duplicitous and Machiavellian. The Nova Frigates were not only a vital part of fleet operations but a deterrent against any overt moves against the new chapters by the Inquisition or their Imperial Navy "lackeys". He never denied having more in reserve for "refit and repair purposes", but declined to state how many. When Imperial Navy representative repeatedly "requested" that the lance frigates be turned over to them, Bellerophon's response was always the same, "Molon labe." To date the Imperial Navy has declined his offer. Battle Fleet Operations space for text Lupos Operations space for text Task Force 34 space for text Fleet Order of Battle Battle Barges (3) Fury of Terra (Flagship) Gladius Resplendent Retribution's Hand Strike Cruisers (5) Warlight Don Cesare Avatar of Justice Indominable Patavius Reckoning Vanguard Cruisers (3) Herald of Vengeance Cor Ira Silent Sword Gladius Frigates (11) Hunter Destroyers (11) Nova Frigates (?) Rudense Class Rapid Insertion Craft (6) (Primaris) Faustus Scout/Interceptors (6) Notable Fleet Engagements space for text COMBAT DOCTRINE space for text BELIEFS space for text GENE-SEED space for text CHAPTER HERALDRY AND LIVERY Heraldry space for text Livery http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/sm.php?b62c=@hr48R_h22PO.hhWEq_._____ia3h6@._@__@@@@_@@@@@@____@@@@@@@@@@.._@@___@@__.__@iakk7&grid=TRUEWhen Retribution Fleet Praetor set sail in pursuit of Horus' fleeing allies, it was made up of mostly hastily repaired and refitted ships.Gone were the colorful and beautifully ornate vessels of the Crusade. The newly refitted ships-of-war were a lean and angry breed, armored and armed to deal out justice and retribution. Hastily painted, the blue of Ultramar was seen only on the heavily armored shoulders where the coats of heraldry were fastened. All else was liveried in defense gray. By the end of it's journey, Praetor's ships were battered and scared. Much of the ships' colors were burned down to bare metal. Ultramars' proud colors were faded and tired. Chapter Master Bellerophon decreed that the colors of the Praetorian Sword Chapter would memorialize these scars. Thus, sea blue and steel were set down in the new charter. SUMMARY space for text *Special thanks to Brother Cambrius for the Space Marine image ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ I would like to start this thread off with a Unification War salute to Brother Kelborn and Chaplain Dosjetka, who inspired me to get off my duff with their most recent DIY threads http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/356531-chapter-creations-initial-concept/ and http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/356527-dos-latest-attempt-at-a-diy-chapter-initial-notesthoughts/ respectively. Let me start off with a little background story I've been a Ultramarine fan (fluff, army, all of it) since first discovering 40K millennia ago. I pretty much dived into the hobby, building and playing a small Ultramarine army and amassing and designing a larger force (about three companies strong at the time and growing) and having a good ol' time reading as much 40K fiction that I could lay my hands on...… but something changed I had been enjoying Graham McNeill's adventures of Uriel Ventris for some time and looking forward to what looked to be the conclusion of the final story arc. So, after finishing Marnius Calgar Kills the Ultramarines..... errr…… I mean Chapter's Due and hurling it across the room. I said to myself, "Self, things aren't looking too good for your Ultramarines" Then it hit me, "Old son, they aren't your Ultramarines. They're GW's Ultramarines, and they can do whatever they want with them..... as is their right." I then realized that if I was going to invest a lot of time and treasure in a Space Marine army, I wanted to have some agency over them and their story. "Better go create your own chapter, Self." I then proceeded to dump my Ultramarines into a tub of "Dip" and stripped off all of the paint and started anew. Then I placed my freshly purified Space Marines in stasis boxes and I contemplated their future. Now I still loved the Ultramarines (they are BLUE you know ) but I didn't want to create a carbon copy chapter. I wanted to challenge myself a bit. I wanted to incorporate some of the characteristics of the Ultramarines, only edgier and darker. I also wanted to incorporate the large amount of FW Heresy era armor and weapons I'd amassed into the chapter army and story. Over the years I came up within the tiny cracks of time between career and raising a family, background and structure for a chapter I call the Praetorian Sword. The following is a rough draft for my DIY chapter. My ultimate goal is to build a chapter size force with an accompanying codex. Concept Draft: Hidden Content Chapter Name: Praetorian Sword Founding Chapter: Ultramarines Founding: Classified by the Inquisition (Project 1619) Secret Founding: One of five chapters created from the survivors of Scouring era XIII Legion Retribution Fleet Praetor, originally presumed lost in the warp. Founded under official charter as an Astartes Chapter in 747M41, after the First Tyrannic War. Chapter Master: Mericus Bellerophon Homeworld: Fleet-based Fortress Monastery: Battle Barge Fury of Terra Colors: Sea Blue, Brushed Steel Strength: Unknown Specialty: Rapid strike and purgation Battle Cry: Fury and Fire Culture: Spartan with Ultramarine sensibilities. Astartes represent the Spartan warrior class, supported by a human bondsmen society, governed under the general principles of Hebraic codes of conduct towards bond servants and slaves. Order of Battle: While generally codex compliant, the chapter maintains an auxiliary support force of armor and flyers. Recently, an eleventh company was added, consisting entirely of Primaris Marines. Chapter Personality: Known for high aggression in battle, the Praetorian Swords are brutal and merciless warriors. It's Chapter Master has executed more than one world without hesitation or remorse. Signature Weapon and Marking: Upon elevation from neophyte each Astartes receives a Gladius and his left pauldron is engraved with "XIII". Inspiration: Greek and Roman histories Hebraic slave culture Imperial Roman Legion and Naval Forces structure and traditions The Iliad - Homer Masters of the Sea trilogy - John Stack Macro and Cato series - Simon Scarrow Legio XVII - Thomas Timmes Gates of Fire - Steven Pressfield Know Thyself and Sons of Wrath - Andy Smilie The odd XIII Legion and Ultramarines story - Dan Abnett, Graham McNeill, Nick Kyme, Robbie MacNiven, Guy Haley, and Ian St Martin Hidden Content IA: Praetorian Sword http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/sm.php?b62c=@hr48R_h22PO.hhWEq_._____ia3h6@._@__@@@@_@@@@@@____@@@@@@@@@@.._@@___@@__.__@iakk7&grid=TRUE [summary Place Holder] BASIC DATA: Primogenitor Legion: XIII Legion, Ultramarines Primarch Primogenitor: Roboute Guilliman Founding: Classified (=][= Inquisitorial File 1619 =][=) Chapter Master: Mericus Bellerophon Homeworld: Fleet-based Chapter Monastery: Battle Barge - Fury of Terra Known Descendants: [Place Holder] Colors: Blue and Steel Symbol: Gladius (upturned) over an Agemo (stylized with a laurel on the inside curve) Specialty: Rapid strike and purgation Battle Cry: Fury and Fire That's it for now. I'll add more detail as time allows. Looking forward to comments and critique...… I think