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+++INCOMING TRANSMISSION+++ +++FID Indicator - ALPHA+++ +++Via Astropath 7NBS2069LVP1+++ +++Via Astropath 8849042+++ +++Via Astropath 100496-B7+++ +++Thought for the day: Do not wait for death.+++ +++Begin message+++ My noble and revered cousins of the Legio, Attached for your consideration, you will find a datafile containing the summation of the honorable and resolute Astartes Chapter, the Sanguine Gargoyles. It is a most esteemed honor to have been entrusted with compiling this Index, with the hope of inclusion in the Liber Astartes. Within the datafile you will find my own annotations; please forgive my additions, but I do not feel my Librarium staff quite captured the soul of my beloved Chapter, and I felt the need to elaborate and explain certain aspects I felt were noteworthy. Once again, I humbly thank you for the opportunity to honor my Brothers in blood and arms of the Sanguine Gargoyles. May the Emperor ever watch over you. Your humble servant, Azkael Chief Librarian of the Sanguine Gargoyles +++Begin Datafile+++ Index Astartes Chapter Datafile CHAPTER NAME: .............. Sanguine Gargoyles GENE-SEED (PREDECESSOR): ... IXth Legion (Blood Angels) FOUNDING: .................. 21st, 991.M35; Ultima, 999.M41 [Rebirth] CHAPTER MASTER: ............ Lucian, Master of the Pandemonium HOMEWORLD: ................. Fleet-Based SEGMENTUM: ................. Obscurus/Solar/Ultima FORTRESS MONASTERY: ........ The Pandemonium, Forgeship COLORS: .................... Dark gray w/ crimson right shoulder pad SPECIALTY: ................. Terror, Guerilla Warfare SUCCESSORS: ............... None STRENGTH: .................. Unknown (estimated to be nominal to above strength) BATTLE-CRY: ................ "For Sanguinius!"/"We avenge the Angel!" The steadfast warriors of the Sanguine Gargoyles Chapter stand amongst the ranks of the Emperor's finest, ever ready to deliver His wrath and justice upon those that would seek to subvert the Imperium. HOMEWORLD The Aerie - Where Segmentums Solar, Obscurus, and Ultima meet - Gothic Sector - Looking to Roost - Bowden IV chosen to be new homeworld --- Planet destroyed, leading to chapter becoming fleet-based Voidborne - The Pandemonium: Forge Ship and Fortress Monastery Livery of the Saviors of the Chalice HISTORY The First Millenium - 21st Founding - Founded as the Saviors of the Chalice - Training Cadre permanently seconded to Saviors --- Sanguinary Priest, Chaplain, Librarian, Captain, five Veterans, Veteran Scout Sergeant, ten Marines - Building strength - Auxiliary/support force The Mutant - Genetic mutations cripple the Chapter - Changes progressed slowly at first, almost naturally - 5th Black Crusade appeared to exacerbate mutations Death of a Chapter - Already weakened Chapter decimated by Black Legion forces - Reduced to less than 200 brothers From the Ashes - Gene-seed stabilized - Slow recruiting - Ultima Founding --- Primaris reinforcements --- Rubicon Primaris Notable Engagements ca. XXX.MXX: ca. XXX.MXX: ca. ~999.M42: The Devastation of Baal The Sanguine Gargoyles, though barely a surviving chapter at the time, sent a squad of Marines and several warships to aid in the space battle against Leviathan and its splinter fleets. None of the seconded members ca. M42: Genetic Mutation Data archives list the known, stable, gene-seed mutations the Sanguine Gargoyles currently suffer from. No known cure or treatment for any of them has been found thus far: Melanchromic Organ Malfunction [some Astartes' skin bears grayish discoloration; severe cases have stone like growths over large portions of their bodies.] Mutated Catalepsean Node [Essentially this causes what is effectively extreme insomnia; all members of the Chapter suffer this mutation.] Non-Functioning Betcher's Gland [All members of the Chapter suffer from this mutation, as well as calcification of the vocal cords, which appears to be one side effect of the mutation. However, the severity of calcification varies widely from one Astartes to the next. One might be unintelligible when he talks, nothing but the sound of cascading rocks issuing from his throat; another might simply have a rich baritone voice; a third might offer a barely audible whisper.] The Apothecarion and the Ordos Biologis have been unable to decipher why only some members of the Chapter suffer certain mutations while others don't. But hope still remains that a solution might be found, for once every few generations, a battle brother suffers none of the Chapter's genetic mutations. GENE-SEED The Line of Sanguinius - IXth Legion Gene-seed; direct descendants of the Blood Angels - Altered gene stock; fewer cases of Red Thirst/Black Rage The Gargoyle's Touch - Librarium prays over every generation of recruits; every few generations, one or rarely two aspirants receive some sort of minor vision or "memory" from the days of the Heresy (not so profound and enthralling as the Black Rage)/(or perhaps there is a benign minor physical manifestation, like a faint halo or wreath of light); such aspirants are named Untouched by the Chief Librarian, for it is immediately known they will bear none of the aberrant mutations their brothers suffer from. Bloodlust At first, the warriors of the Saviors of the Chalice seemed better able to resist or control the urges of the Red Thirst. Even so, some of their number still fell victim to the bloodlust felt by all sons of Sanguinius. Most brothers recovered from the Thirst, but there were still those who didn't. Those few unfortunate souls would be placed in stasis until such a time as they could be delivered to the Blood Angels' Tower of the Lost. Though unorthodox, this arrangement was made due to the space-faring nature of the Saviors. After the genetic degradation of the Chapter, the Gargoyles saw far higher numbers of brothers falling to the Red Thirst. Many of those affected flew into an even more berserk fury than normally seen, and consequently this lead to more Astartes unable to break free of its grip. With the Chapter rebuilding itself after its decimation, pilgrimages to Baal became far less practical, and the Gargoyles instead retrofitted The Crag with an expanded cryo-stasis deck. Here the first of the Unremembered would be kept, and the stasis deck became known as the Catacombs, where the damned and the almost-dead slumber until roused for war. The Rage Within While the genetic alterations intended to "fix" their gene-seed appeared to have given the Saviors of the Chalice a modicum of control of the Red Thirst, it didn't appear to have any effect on the frequency with which the Black Rage overwhelmed them. The Saviors often fielded only a small Death Company in a given battle, unwilling to unleash the full fury of those given over to the Black Rage in all but the most dire situations. Such a decision was made for two notable reasons; first, it was to shield those not of the Chapter or its enemies from the brutal savagery of the Death company. The second was to protect the Saviors from excessive scrutiny by agents outside of the Chapter, and of the Adeptus Astartes as a whole. The Sanguine Gargoyles field a much larger Death Company, termed the Unremembered, than the previous incarnation of the Chapter. It is presently unknown whether the genetic mutation suffered by the Gargoyles affected their susceptibility to the Rage, or if perhaps the confrontations with Abaddon's warbands and his heinous deeds during the 5th Black Crusade triggered the change. Currently, the Unremembered confined to stasis in the Catacombs number around Company strength, though this fluctuates with every new engagement. The largest formation of the Death Company in the Chapter's history, past or present, was marshalled during the climax of hostilities with Abaddon's forces, when the Saviours of the Chalice fell. Revenants After the mutation of the Chapter's gene-seed, and with the chapter in near-ruin, a glimmer of salvation appeared. It took the form of a small number of brothers, seemingly untouched by the ravages inflicted upon their brethren. These warriors formed the core of the Chapter's forces during its dark years of recovery. After the Chapter had rebuilt its numbers enough to venture on its own once more, the Sanguinary Guard changed its name, to honor the warriors who brought the Chapter back from death. Just as with all Chapters descended from the IXth, the Revenants stand apart from the structure of the Chapter's main force. They are the most highly skilled and venerated of the Gargoyles' brothers, each a Chapter legend in his own right, surviving innumerable battles against all manner of foe. There are no specific requirements to become a Revenant; instead, spots are awarded based on merit and skill, regardless of rank within the Chapter. Like all iterations of the Sanguinary Guard, the Revenants each bear a Glaive Encarmine and Angelus Boltgun. Unlike the others, however, the Revenants eschew the golden armor of their forebears; instead they color their armor and matching tabard a ghostly gray, with a dark bronze helm and chest emblem. Additionally, only the Praetor and his squad wear the iconic winged jump packs; the other Revenants wear a modified version of the Mk.VII pack. Revenant (Sanguinary Guard) [it is a curiosity worth noting that, throughout the millennia, a high percentage of brothers unmaligned by the Chapter's gene flaws have gone on to become Revenants. It remains to be seen if there is a correlation between these two occurences, or if they are merely coincidental.] CULTURE Neither he Sanguine Gargoyles, nor their precursors the Saviors of the Chalice, have ever had an actual 'homeworld.' Though the latter had begun the final deliberations on claiming Bowden IV, it was ripped from their grasp. Before and since, the Chapter has relied on periods of piecemeal recruitment, Chapter Demeanor: See But Don't Be Seen Chapter Flaw: We Stand Alone Chapter Beliefs: Revere the Primarch Special Equipment: Blessed wargear, Modified Jump Packs, Rare Weaponry (plasma) Codex Adherence Though the Sanguine Gargoyles diverge from the path laid out by the Codex Astartes, they do so more out of tradition born of necessity rather than an outright choice to forge their own way. The Chapter diverges in two main ways; its chain of command, and its troop and fleet organization. The former came about due to the impromptu restructuring required after nearly being wiped out. The latter is a more current change, stemming from the integration of Primaris Astartes into the Chapter. Both aspects conjoin to form a potent fighting force, lead by dual Commanders dedicated to the Emperor and the men in their charge. The Gargoyles' Wings - Firstborn Wing; Commander Lamonte - Primaris Wing; Commander Bellon --- The two Captains share equal rank in the Coven; only by dint of experience and length of service does Captain Lamonte hold any real seniority. The two leaders maintain a very open discourse with each other, working alongside one another for the prosecution of their foes, and to supreme effect - Each Wing is responsible for its own brothers, but both Commanders have authority to step in on either side if the need were to ever arise. The Gargoyles' Talons - No Scout Company; newly inducted recruits are immediately placed into 7th Flight, where they train in all forms and manners of combat. They remain there until, through death and promotion, spots open within the 2nd through 6th Flights that need to be filled. 7th Flight Commander Captain Pheron, the rest of the Chapter's Flight Captains, and an individual's squad Sergeant all discuss the talents, strengths and weaknesses of a candidate, before assigning him to his new Flight. In times of need, this discussion is forgone, and candidates are placed at the needs of the Chapter - Each Flight designed around one specific focus of combat, rather than each Flight being its own microcosm (except 3rd Flight). Demi-companies, called "Strikes" by the Gargoyles, are created ad hoc to better suit the nature of each engagement, and may draw upon the brothers of several Flights to complete their task. Others may simply require the specialized handiwork of a single Flight. Flight of the Gargoyles The Unremembered ORGANIZATION AND TACTICS Chapter Leadership, "The Conclave" - Chapter Master Lucian, Master of the Pandemonium, [Chapter Master] - High Priest Armand, "the Anointed" [Master of the Apothecarion] - Castellan Philippe [Master of Sanctity] - The Gargoyle Azkael [Master of the Librarium] - Chief Techmarine Solarus [Master of the Forge] - Firstborn Wing Commander Captain Lamonte - Primaris Wing Commander Captain Bellon, "the Young" The mantle of leadership falls to the battle commanders, heads of the High Offices, and the Chapter Master; the Conclave. They decide the way war is waged by their battle brothers. The when, the where, the how. Sometimes several of these war councils are held before a decision is made, arguments and counter-arguments mulled over and compromises considered. The Master of the Pandemonium has the authority to override the voting if it otherwise stands tied, if not enough votes are or can be cast, or when certain actions be taken upon request of an outside authority. Such choices are well measured, not made lightly or given to frivolity. Members of the Conclave are permitted to wear robes of cream over their armor. To aid in the efforts to make war in the name of the Emperor and Mankind, the Conclave is supported by the Prefecture, the Sanguine Gargoyles' Masters of the Chapter. Chapter Council, "The Prefecture" - Commander of the Revenants; Praetorian Damascus - Master of Reconnaissance; Prefect Zaphiel [2nd Flight Captain] - Master of the Marches; Prefect Mercutio [3rd Flight Captain] - Master of the Fleet; Prefect Namora [4th Flight Captain] - Master of the Arsenal; Prefect Valenti [5th Flight Captain] - Master of Relics; Prefect Ithakus [6th Flight Captain] - Master of Recruits; Prefect Tovaani [7th Flight Captain] The Prefects are the Conclave's council of advisors. In this circle, everyone is equal. Each Prefect is the head of his department, reporting on its readiness for the upcoming battle as their expertise is required. Those Prefects chosen to make war may then nominate a proxy to act for them, or choose to have their position vote in abstention. Those Prefects not called to war join the Conclave in the war council. Members of the Prefecture are permitted to wear robes of deep crimson. Chapter Disposition The Chapter's strength is divided into seven Flights. [Flights are similar to the Great Companies the Wolves of Russ prefer. I've edited the datafile to include a sublist containing the breakdown of each unit, so that it may be skipped over by those who choose to do so.] Combat Doctrine Terror Lightning Strikes/Stealth RECRUITMENT - Only recruit from feral and death worlds and penal colonies; may recruit from a hive world in emergency - "Kidnap" recruits in the cover of night; numerous local myths and legends spawned by practice - Recruit in "phases": each world is only subject to recruitment every so often, perhaps generations, but the chapter is always recruiting; myths and legends have sprung up on tribal/fuedal worlds about the Gargoyles RELATIONS Noteworthy Allies - Order of the Shrouded Martyr - Penal Legion Theta-Delta-Beta; "Wilson's Irregulars" - Adeptus Mechanicus; [non-standard hierarchy within Chapter] Hated Enemies - Ka'Bhanda - Abaddon and the Black Legion --- Valorous Host Warband - Slaghulk'z Killa Mob - Sept Roku'Do'Shan Livery of the Sanguine Gargoyles APPEARANCE Livery Prior to their rebirth as the Sanguine Gargoyles, the Saviors of the Chalice wore alabaster white armor with crimson pauldrons and gold detailing and decoration. Following the traditions of their brethren, helmets identified a warrior's squad type, with individual squad markings worn on the right knee pad. The Chapter Badge was worn on the left pauldron, while company markings and personal heraldry were worn on the right. Veteran status was denoted by a golden helm and pauldron trim. After the Ultima Founding and the rebirth of the Chapter, the Sanguine Gargoyles bear new colors. Their armor is a dark, stone gray, with the right pauldron painted crimson, but they still retain the gold decoration and detailing of their former colors, albeit in matted and subdued hues. Members of the Librarium, Reclusiam, and Sanguinary Priesthood follow their orders' traditional coloring, with the right pauldron painted the same dark stone gray as their battle-brothers' armor. Squad types are still identified by helmet color, however squad markings and personal heraldry are no longer worn. Instead. brothers take to engraving their armor with various designs of personal meaning and importance, and many suits of armor worn by veterans are covered in gold and silver filigree. Flights are announced on the pauldron trim, and veteran status is once more denoted by golden helms. Chapter Badge White wings, outstretched behind a golden chalice, was the original badge of the Saviors of the Chalice. Since their transformation, the Sanguine Gargoyles' emblem bears only a small resemblance to their original; instead of angel-like wings, black bat-like wings spread open, with a blood drop replacing the chalice. It is most often worn on the right pauldron, though some brothers wear it on the left instead. Members of the Reclusiam, the Librarius, and the Sanguinary Priesthood, as well as the Chapter's suits of Terminator armor, only ever bear the badge on the right pauldron. CHAPTER ARSENAL Dreadnoughts Carmine, Librarian Dreadnought - Dreadnought Force Weapon - Frag Cannon Verson, Furioso Dreadnought - Frag Cannon - Blood Fist with Heavy Flamer Quintus; Venerable Hellfire Dreadnought - Paired Twin-Linked Lascannons Liones, Ironclad Furioso Dreadnought - Paired Blood Fists, with Heavy Flamer and Meltagun Draugr; Death Company Dreadnought - Paired Blood Talons, with Heavy Flamer and Meltagun Derceus; Venerable Chaplain Dreadnought - Plasma Cannon - "Stonefist" Chapter Fleet As a fleet-based chapter, the Sanguine Gargoyles possess a larger fleet than other Chapters might, though not its vessels all are commanded by Astartes. Though not nearly a match in scale, it is reminiscent of the vast fleets of the Great Crusade in regards to its composition. The Gargoyles' fleet is a blend of the Astartes' flotilla, the remnants of Penal Legion Theta-Delta-Beta's troop fleet, a few Explorator vessels from the Adeptus Mechanicus, and a permanent detail from the Order of the Shrouded Martyr (including their Dominator-class Cruiser, the Dominus Irae), plus the swarms of the fleet's attendant ships. The Gargoyles command the battle barges and strike cruisers while the rest of the fleet, with the exception of the Sororitas vessels, is commanded by Imperial Navy personnel. This arrangement between the Chapter and the Navy ensures the Gargoyles can prosecute their enemies as they desire, and the Navy gets to do its job, without either side getting in the other's way. The fleet of the Sanguine Gargoyles is split into three smaller fleets. The Main Fleet makes war, wherever it may take them. Up to five separate, flight-strength campaigns could be supported individually, though it is most often the case that numerous small-scale operations are taking place around one or two larger scale engagements. Additionally, The Rook heads a small splinter fleet, a fast strike force intended to neutralize the most dangerous threats present, or to offer Flight-strength support as rapidly as possible. The last of the fleets, the Fledgling Fleet, traverses the trail of outposts the Gargoyles have set up in their region, termed by the Chapter the "Aeyrie." The members of Seventh Flight see to the Chapter's recruiting as part of their training duties, and they draw aspirants from a handful of such outposts. [Once again, I have added a sublist beloew containing the breakdown of the Sanguine Gargoyles' fleet disposition, for your perusal.] Reliquary - Angel's Light [Ryza pattern "Sunspite" plasma pistol; badge of office of the Gargoyle} - Aza'zel [Relic force sword; badge of office of the Gargoyle] - The Dread Spear [A relic spear of unknown origin, made from a xenos metal with a marble-like appearance; badge of office of the Master of the Pandemonium] - Stonefist [A Blood Fist crafted using the shattered remnants of Brother Derces' Crozius Arcanum, with a built-in meltagun] - Death Masks [I think everyone with clearance to read this will already have knowledge of the death masks worn by those of the Angel's line.] +++End Datafile+++ +++Closing Thought: Only in death does duty end.+++ +++End Message+++