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+++ INTRODUCTION +++ The Defence of Dakota Minor was a series of conflicts in 884M41, that saw the Imperium defending the Matteus Subsector’s primary food provider against invaders. With only a token battlefleet and planetary defence force to protect it, Dakota Minor was expected to fall to the invaders in less than three months. Fortunately, intervention by local Astra Militarum regiments and the Adeptus Astartes saw the invasion quelled and the planet secured for the Imperium. The first theatre of conflict was the defence of the city Dakota Primus, which saw the arrival of the Salamanders Space Marine Chapter amidst the Ork siege. The Anvilbreakers (2nd Company 2nd Tactical Squad) charge the greenskins, engulfing them in burning promethium +++ DESCENT OF ANGELS +++ Salamanders Captain Ikarus R’Keth could not ignore the astropathic plea for assistance for the nearby world. Additionally, their Chaplain Kessus Numastus expressed concern for the lacking faith amongst their battle-brethren after the failure of the Yttrius Crusade. Both saw an opportunity to find atonement and redemption in the defence of Dakota Minor. Meanwhile, the beleaguered DMDC forces were being overwhelmed at every turn. Even the Ork servant races were proving to be superior to the underequipped and poorly trained PDF soldiers. DMDC troopers engage a gretchin horde and one of their many scrap-vehicles. The Salamanders Arrive: Day 14 With their drop pod pool depleted from their previous campaign, the Astartes mobilised to the surface via Thunderhawks and Stormravens. This delayed their efforts to bolster the local defences, taking eighteen hours to fully deploy from orbit. Their first target of priority was the Orks moving towards the hive centre along St Celestine's Highway. A strike force of Astartes skimmers, bike squadrons and aircraft engage the Ork flyers that had persisted in guerrilla strikes throughout the conflict. Though the Salamanders rack up an impressive kill tally, they exhaust their ammunition quickly. They are forced to withdraw for resupply and are ultimately unable to stop the flow of innumerable Orks through the outer hive districts. Salamanders Bike Squadron "Quicksliver" (5th Company 9th Assault Squad) engage enemy units along St Celestine's Highway. The remaining Salamanders units would deploy deeper within the Imperial battlelines. The action is not a tactical one but an inspirational one; to restore the morale of the panicking DMDC forces, who had come to believe they were forsaken by the God-Emperor. +++ WITHDRAWAL INTO THE CITY +++ We must turn about this disaster you have set for yourselves. The greenskins are flowing like hot slag through the city. We can slow them down here, until their momentum breaks. - Captain R’Keth, directing the Dakota Minor command staff on the chokepoint strategy. Captain R'Keth met with the DMDC command staff, and together they devise a strategy to create a series of strategic chokepoints within the city to delay the Ork advances. The Chokepoints: Day 18 to 45The majority of the chokepoints were positioned on arterial roadways leading from St Celestine's and St Arabella's Highways. Each were designed to funnel the greenskins into Imperial kill-zones. In addition, numerous narrow passages, bridges and tunnels were closed to redirect or delay the Ork advances. In many cases, these access ways were demolished by the DMDC with explosives. Tactical map of Dakota Primus, displaying Ork and Imperial movements after the implementation of the chokepoint strategem. With the Salamanders now distributed amongst the local defences, the Imperial forces prepared for prolonged defensive actions. As the Orks confidently marched through the narrow road sections, they are savaged by fusillades of Imperial lascannons and missile launchers. The resulting wreckage formed their own roadblocks against the xenos advance, though it was a double-edged sword: the Imperials were also blocking themselves in. All chokepoints would hold for twenty-five days. The frustrated Orks eventually make a concerted push on foot, abandoning their mechanised assault. The rush of greenskins through the hab blocks, sewer pipes and structures, saw many Imperial chokepoints overrun on the forty-third day. Many Astartes and DMDC armour had depleted their fuel and ammunition, and their crews were forced to abandon their vehicles. As a result, Captain R’Keth ordered a fighting withdrawal towards the city’s centre. Meanwhile, Imperial air forces were persistent in intercepting Ork flyers, to maintain air superiority over the hive. By the forty-fifth day, they are successful in securing the airspace, but are of limited assistance within the depths and narrow passages of Dakota Primus. Salamanders Stormhawk Interceptor "Ember One" executes a strafing run on Ork infantry formations Reinforcing The Bastion: Day 50 to 54 For the next five days, the Imperial forces rallied at the “Bastion”, the central Administratum hub at the heart of the Dakota Primus. Lord-Governor Hastings Freeman convened with the Salamanders Captain and the DMDC command staff, to prepare a last stand. Meanwhile, the greenskins continued to march unto the Bastion on foot… +++ ARTICLE CONTINUES IN PART III +++

+++INTRODUCTION+++ The Sa’hrk-Hunters were the 4th Scout Squad of the Salamanders 7th Company, and were the only Scout Squad to deploy to Dakota Minor in 884M41. They did not participate in the siege of Dakota Primus, out of concern of losing the remaining future Space Marines. Once the siege was thwarted and the bulk of Imperial forces redeployed to the Adatok Wastelands to finish the Orks, Scout Sergeant Kareldek took his neophytes into the hab-blocks of Dakota Primus to flush out and destroy any stubborn Ork remnants. Sergeant Kareldek and the Scout Marines of the Sah’rk-Hunters (4th Scout Squad, 7th Company) The Sah’rk-Hunters take their name after the saurian pack-predators that roam the deserts of Nocturne. Sergeant Kareldek would frequent these deserts to test the skill and prowess of his newer neophytes. The Sah’rk-Hunters engage a hold-out of Orks and Gretchin within the Dakotra Primus hab-blocks. Two squads of scouts from the Chapters 7th Company accompanied the Yttrius Crusade, prior to the Salamanders’ arrival in the Matteus Subsector. More than two thirds of their number were killed or incapacitated, leaving only five active members by the beginning of the Dakota Minor attack. They were initially held back during the Siege of Dakota Primus, out of concern of losing the remaining future Space Marines. After the Dakota Primus siege, Captain R’Keth instructed Sergeant Kareldek to assist the DMDC in the decontamination efforts and continue their tutelage in the field. +++SQUAD MEMBERS+++ The 4th Scout Squad consisted of the following members: Aru Kareldek (Sergeant) Inducted 808M41 Full impantation Kareldek is a veteran Astartes whom recently dedicated himself to teaching the future of the chapter. He was formerly a Sergeant of the 6th Company 3rd Tactical Squad, but after a bitter feud with his Captain he was re-assigned as Sergeant of the 7th Company. He does not begrudge this sanction, as it renewed his sense of purpose within the Chapter. He has established himself as a stern but wise instructor. Scout Sergeant Aru Kareldek Fel Corr Inducted 878M41 Implant Phase: 18 The most senior neophyte, Corr is eagerly awaiting his final implants and ascending to the mantle of Space Marine. He is ambitious and overly willing to prove himself to Kareldek and his fellow battle-brothers, often to the veteran Astartes’ frustration. Scout Marine Fel Corr Xavidi Cikar Inducted 880M41 Implant Phase: 15 A devout neophyte, Cikar much idolises the Primarch Vulkan, and strives to live by his ideals and abilities on and off the battlefield. He has demonstrated an artistic flair in his works, though his blacksmithing skills need improvement. Kareldek has remarked that Cikar was the most promising initiate he has taught thus far. Scout Marine Xavidi Cikar N’Kar Augean Inducted 880M41 Implant Phase: 15 Augean is the lone survivor of the 5th Scout Squad, whom had fallen in combat during the ill-fated Yttrius Crusade. His exuberance has waned given these recent events, prompting concern from Kareldek and the Reclusiam. He is a gifted marksmen and well-versed in maintaining the Astartes arsenal. Scout Marine N'Kar Augean Kadmas Sat’ra Inducted 883M41 Implant Phase: 13 The youngest Aspirant, Sat’ra is still hesitant and subservient. He is still learning the Astartes arsenal; as of present he is mastering the flamer. He looks to Kareldek for guidance on many issues, despite the Sergeant’s attempts to nurture the individualism and self-reliance befitting a Salamander. Scout Marine Kadmas Sat'ra +++END ARTICLE+++

One of the ideas I want to try out for 2k lists was to have Vulkan He'stan in a full Infernus Squad travel in a Land Raider Redeemer as one of my methods to take out infantry. I've debated whether or not it's a good idea to have another full Infernus Squad in a Drop Pod to drop in so that I have 3 flame units benefiting from his Forgefather ability. While I think this can do a lot of damage to infantry, I'm worried that it will be clunky with that many marines in a relatively small area, and that it might end up being overkill. I also considered including other flame units like Invictor Tactical Warsuits, or to even have additional Land Raider Redeemers to focus fire both infantry and tougher units (the single land raider redeemer i had did a lot of work when I went up against Carnifexes and Old One Eye). I can also use his ability for Melta weapons, but I thought it would be more efficient to use Oath of Moment for Melta and big guns on one big target, and use his Forgefather on another target. What are your thoughts? Any other units you would recommend to run alongside him?

An acrylic artwork and dice tray I made to honor Vulkan and the Salamanders. I'm really proud of how these came out and wanted to share. Thank you!

Introduction The Salamanders had come to the Segmentum Obscurus with a contingent of over 160 Astartes hailing from the 1st, 2nd and 5th Companies, along with their respective Captains, to fight in the ill-fated Yttrius Crusade (883M41). At its conclusion, their numbers had been significantly reduced; the veterans of the 1st Company were either dead or incapacitated, the 2nd and 5th Companies had been cut to half of their starting strength, and their drop pods had been exhausted. However, they still had a full compliment of Astartes tanks, skimmers and aircraft; this bode well for the weakened Astartes who could not ignore humanity's pleas for help in the Matteus Delta system. A formation of Salamanders armour moves through the industrial sector of Dakota Primus, in the early days of the city's defensive efforts against the Ork invaders. As the acting commander of the Salamanders strike force, Captain R'Keth answered the call to defend Dakota Minor. He lead his 2nd Company alongside 5th Company elements aboard their Strike Cruiser Serpentine, to the Ork infested world. R'Keth also ordered the deployment of the sacred Land Raider "Celestial Hammer", much to the chagrin of the Techmarines who felt it inappropriate to field the relic war machine without the Firedrakes. Given the surplus of armour assets and the dearth of Astartes crew, Salamanders from the 2nd and 5th Companies had to work together to ensure enough vehicles could be deployed and operated on the battlefield. Land Raider Phobos "Celestial Hammer" The Phobos-pattern Land Raider “Celestial Hammer” is one of the oldest Land Raiders in the Salamanders armory. During the Dakota Minor campaign, Captain R’Keth authorised the use of the Celestial Hammer in the later days of the war, requiring Techmarines from the 2nd and 5th Companies to crew. The Techmarines protested at first, and so too did the Land Raider’s machine spirit, but Captain R’Keth was quick to remind them of their duty to the Emperor’s people. The Celestial Hammer was the tip of the spear during the assault on the Harkon West Industrial Precinct, which has been captured by the opportunistic Steel Reavers in the last days of the war. Land Raider “Celestial Hammer”, under command of 5th Company Techmarine Fe’var, armed with heavy bolters, twin-linked lascannon sponsons and a pintle-mounted multi-melta. Rhino Gun'vek Gun’vek is one of the newer Rhinos in the 2nd Company’s armoury, and has only seen combat a handful of times. Gun’vek was instrumental in keeping the Salamanders' Tactical Squads mobile within the city of Dakota Primus, providing fire support with its storm bolter as the Astartes entered the fray. Gun’vek was the only deployed Rhino that survived the war for Dakota Minor intact; a total of nine Rhinos were immobilised or destroyed in the conflict. Rhino Gun’vek, dedicated transport of the Salamanders 2nd Company. Razorback Mir’Tar Mir’Tar is an aged razorback, equipped with the rare pattern twin-linked plasma guns and lascannon turret. It has served the 2nd Company well over the last two millennia, and though not considered as a relic like the Celestial Hammer, it is revered by many in the 2nd Company. Its most notable campaigns have been permanently painted on the left-hand side of the vehicle: the Foreshore Crusade in M39, the Purge of Venturi IX in M40, and the Starfire Campaign of M41. Razorback Mir’tar, armed with twin-linked plasma gun/lascannon turret, storm bolter and hunter-killer missile. Predator Destructor Persephius A variant of the Predator Destructor rarely seen in the late 41st millenium, Persephius features a pair of sponson-mounted heavy flamers for close-range engagements. The city of Dakota Primus had numerous road junctions and wide alleyways that were ideal for funneling Orks into kill zones for Persephius to decimate at close-range, and obliterating Ork armour at medium-to-long range with its autocannon. Predator Persephius, armed with two heavy flamer sponsons, autocannon turret, and pintle-mounted storm bolter. Land Speeders Pre'tir and Antanar Captain R'Keth sought to take advantage of the speed and maneuverability of their fleet of infrequently used Land Speeders, against the slower and disorganised Orks. Having become familiar with the Raven Guard’s tactical doctrine during the Yttrius Crusade, the crew of the Land Speeders Pre’tir and Antanar destroyed many Ork scrap tanks and skimmers in a month-long series of hit-and-run engagements. They finally ran out of fuel and ammunition on the 44th day, and the crew were forced to abandon their craft. Pre’tir was recovered and refurbished after the war, but Antanar was never seen again. Land Speeder Tornadoes Pre’tir (left) and Antanar (right), each armed with a heavy bolter and assault cannon.

'The sorrows of Badab. Death of the Master. And now this.' 'A season of fire approaches. And the Salamanders will not be found wanting.' + In The Dust of Armageddon + + A narrative project log + +++ +EDIT+ [Now this has become a proper project, I've edited the original post – the original is below.] I'm interested in exploring the Salamanders during the Second War for Armageddon (BfA2). Largely, the reason for this is that I've got a Salamanders itch that needs scratching, so I thought I'd turn to the Pantheon Council to see if you can offer any advice or thoughts on the undertaking. (There's a broader club on this too, if the general events appeal to you.) Of particular interest to me is a chance to try freehanding lots of heraldry. More specifically, the Salamanders are one of those Chapters with which – barring the most obvious characteristics – I'm pretty unfamiliar, and so it's proving a nice fresh area for me to explore. Being non-Codex, I think there's (fittingly) a few rich veins of lore to be mined and brought out through this project. I've looked over the (very useful) Salamanders Resources sticky thread, but I'd very much appreciate any notes or insights you can offer about this particular time period. +++ The general lore on the Salamanders during BfA2 is relatively scanty: A very old artwork (and apologies for its small size!), showing an unusually pale-skinned Salamander. Because of its age, 'big things' like this can be glossed over, and aren't of particular interest to me, but the details – like the heraldry and specific markings – are. I'd appreciate it if you can offer any insights, thoughts or speculation on what any of these markings mean. There are some nice juicy bits and bobs here, and in the years since this was written, we've had more info on what the Salamanders were doing on either side. For example: Three years prior, Tu'Shan became Chapter Master. Do we know who was Chapter Master previously? What position did Tu'Shan occupy before ascending to becoming the Chapter Master? Captain of the First? The Badab War was in recent memory (roughly thirty years earlier) – I'd like to have some veterans of that conflict, or battle markings. We're told only the Second Company was involved in the Badab War, so if I want to do this, am I stuck with using Second Company markings, or can you think of a compelling reason that a Salamander might transfer Company, or fight in mixed companies? Is this is a big no-no for the Salamanders' peculiar organisation? The bulk of the Sixth Company, and Vulkan He'Stan, are not available for Armageddon, as (barring wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey warp stuff) they're fighting in the Tochran Crusade. Besides these, is there any reason any other part of the Chapter would not be present? Can you speculate on who would be left to defend Nocturne and Prometheus if the majority of the Chapter is deployed? Thanks in advance, and please do feel free to be discursive, or throw in ideas, concepts, markings or questions of your own relating to the period. The more ideas, the better! :)