The Vanquishers

[Hrvat]

This began as an entry for the Iron Man challenge but as I continued to write I liked the theme so much that I have decided to develop it as a full IA: Article :)

 

Though second founding is generally avoided I decided that considering the main character and the chapters first master is due to the original idea slightly larger than life as a good founding. Here I just present the Origins part of the article along with the colour scheme more is to come over the weekend. As I am hoping to make this article good enough to presented to the Librarium I am asking you fine sirs for help. I am aware that my English might not be adequate to fully express my ideas so should you see a part of the text that can be worded better please point it out to me so I might refine it.

 

All C&C is wellcome

 

Basic Info

Name: The Vanquishers

Founding: 2nd

Geneseed: Roboute Guilliman

Homeworld: Terra(only honourary) - The Proud Conquerer Battleship

Organisation: Codex on paper but slightly altered in practice with few additional ranks over a normal chapter

Battle Cry: Before commiting to battle the leader of the force shouts "For Him!" and

the assembled marines answer "Ready!", in the battle they arrive by opening all channels recording of the Myrmidons March 40k equivalent of the Fly of the Valkyries and reproducing the same through their vox casters :P

 

 

The main part of the article is now almost done, tweaking here and there, especially the believes section I think. I have to add some side bars concerning some insignia and veterans, a noted individual at the moment, current chapters disposition, relations with the Ecclesary and maybe something else that drops on my mind.

 

 

The Vanquishers

 

"Sing warriors of the wrath, of Deleuses son Killias

the holy wrath that brought death to thousands of Traitors."

 

 

 

Origins

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f355/Giladis/TacticalDelta.jpg

Tactical Space Marine of the 3rd Company

T

he tale of the Vanquishers origins is held in an ancient epic called the Heroicon and the texts held within the Ultramarines Librarium. It speaks about their first chapter master Killias, the wonderful age of the Great Crusade, the bloodshed of the Horus Heresy and the wars that followed it. Within the Imperium it is one of the few surviving sources that speak of its founding yet due to the sacred meaning it has to the Vanquishers it is only brought out once every millennium on the feast of the First War and in the last ten millennia only a scant few individuals outside the chapter had the privilege to hear its verses. It is said it was penned down by master Killias himself, as he was a learned man with a taste for poetry, for he wanted to leave a record for posterity.

 

The tale begins on ancient Terra sometime during the reconquest by the armies of the Emperor. It presents Killiases childhood and his father Deleus, the librarian of Iolkos. Since the earliest age Killias helped his father in maintaining the ancient repository, carrying the books for his crippled father and devouring the knowledge held within them. Of all the books, he was most attracted to the heroic tales of ages long past, of kings, warriors and warlords. And so it came to pass that Iolkos was put to siege by warriors of the neighbouring land led by the one that called himself the Emperor. The struggle was short and brutal with much of the city destroyed in the process yet the library was spared for it was the reason this Emperor came to Iolkos. It is said Deleus wept tears of blood as the books were taken away and as night gave way to dawn his heart broken by grief gave out, leaving young Killias alone in the world. Tears rolled down his cheeks as the spark of wrath most terrible was lit. Like a man possessed he stalked between the empty shelves trembling with barely controlled rage. And there it was in the heart of the library the golden clad Emperor stood, personally taking the three books from the inner sanctum. A primordial cry left Killiases lips as he charged the warlord. Amused the stranger watched as the boy covered the distance before stretching his hand forward and holstering the kicking and screaming boy up. The warlords grip was like iron and Killias could not reach his face with either punches or kicks. Then he met the Emperors benevolent stare, looking at him as one would look at a mischievous pet. On the contrary Killias eyes were filled with hatred and determinations. For a few more moments Emperor observed the child before breaking a soft smile and uttering “you will do”.

 

So it came to pass that Killias was taken into Emperors service to become one of his angels of death, genetically altered warriors destined to wage the wars of humanities reunification. He was assigned to the XIII Legion and it was not long before he took to the field of battle, just like the ancient heroes he once read about. Being bright of mind and strong of body he soon rose in the hierarchy and by the time the armies of the Emperor went against the Archduke of Patagonia he commanded a company by himself. On the foothills of the Endiis his legend would begin. The armies of the Archduke were well equipped, dug in their trenches and unwilling to submit to the Emperors rule. The fighting was brutal and both sides were suffering severe casualties. As night on the twelfth day began to fall Killias ordered his men to attack. The lack of light favoured the dark coloured warriors of the XIII legion and only a few dozen were slain by the defenders before they reached the trenches. Once there they started to kill their enemies at close range, half an hour later their ammunition was spent but Killias was not willing to retreat from the breach as he was unable to hail the rest of the force to exploit the advantage. So he ordered his men to draw their chainswords and follow his lead. What happened in those hours of darkness will forever serve as a source of great pride to both him and his Legion. The slaughter was terrible as marines carved their path through the enemy lines, gunshots rang, man screamed, enemies even bombed their own lines in hope of killing the attackers. As dawn broke out enemy lines were in complete disarray and were broken by the Imperial new offensive. The three day non-stop fighting carried from the trenches into the streets of the enemy capitol and corridors of the Archdukes palace. The Imperial army throughout their advance followed a trail of disembowelled and maimed enemies that Killiases company left behind them. In the Archdukes throne room Emperor found Killias sitting on a dais surrounded by dozens of slain foes including the Archduke. His armour was crimson brow from all the dried blood that splashed him, completely obscuring his insignia. Of his company none remained but it mattered not for victory was won. At the celebratory feast Emperor called Killias forward from the assembled ranks of the Astartes and proclaimed him his deadliest warrior, his Myrmidon. In addition to honour his deed his armour would be repainted brown as his personal heraldry so all that look upon him may be reminded of his act of skill and valour and a blade was gifted to him by Emperor himself, a mighty power sword made by the smiths of Uralus.

 

More battles were fought and more honours were won as Terra was united and with the last enemy defeated Emperor declared he would do the same across the stars. For the conquest at hand he needed generals to command his Legions and from each he chose one marine. From the XIII Legion that marine was Killias, their first and only Duodecumvir. Under his stern leadership they conquered countless worlds and defeated numberless enemies. Though other Legions, such as the first, have won more battles Killias of all the marine commanders had the highest tally of victories. Months turned to years and years turned to decades, one by one his peers fell and on the eve of the Emperors proclamation that first of his primarchs has been found Killias was the only one of the original duodecumviri left alive.

 

The arrival of Horus changed great many things, for now one Legion stood superior to all others and Killias took an oath that he would remain the greatest Emperors warrior no matter what. As the Great Crusade continued, other primarchs were found and Killias pushed the XIII Legion almost to a breaking point as he volunteered for the most dangerous missions and deadliest of fronts unwilling to be outdone by these sons of the Emperor. Though they treated him with respect he never accepted them for he knew that sooner or later the primarch of his Legion would be found and he would have to relinquish command. And so it did come to pass that Emperor found Roboute Guilliman on Macragge and transferred the command of the Legion to him renaming them the Ultramarines to honour his new found son. Upon hearing the news Killias had a fit of rage and decided that he would not pass the command without the fight. The Emperor was bringing Guilliman aboard the Proud Conqueror to meet the commanders of his Legion. What greeted them were not ranks of ceremonial guards and banners detailing Legions past exploits as was customary on such an occasion, the embarkation deck was empty save for a single person standing in its middle. Killias forbid anyone from entering the deck and now he stood there alone preparing to take on a primarch fully aware of his capabilities. He challenged Guilliman to single combat for the right of commanding the Legion, whichever lost would have to bend his knee to the other. Amused the Emperor handed his blade to Guilliman who took it and answered the challenge believing his father was testing him. Emperor had not warned Guilliman what were the soldiers of his new army and Killiases opening attack caught him of guard. Yet that was not to last and soon Guilliman was in control of the duel testing the skill of his opponent knowing full well that he could end the confrontation whenever he chose. The challenge continued for another five minutes before Guilliman stepped back believing his opponent realised he was defeated but Killias was not that kind of a man and used the opportunity to press his attack anew. Even against an opponent such as a primarch this minute moment of laxity was more than enough for Killias to find a hole in Guillimans guard and score a flesh wound on his calf. Now the primarch realised this was for real and slapped Killias, ripping his helmet off and sending him crashing into the wall. Blood oozing from his nose and ears did not make him relent and though his world was spinning and his knees were weak he rose once more and stumbled towards Guilliman raising the sword menacingly. All ended quickly as his sword arm was grasped in an iron grip and a fist slammed into his face knocking him unconscious. Ten days later when he awoke, true to his word, he swore eternal allegiance to Guilliman.

 

Killias would continue to serve as the Legions second in command for a few more decades before a battlefield explosion took both of his legs and though they were replaced with bionics Guilliman removed him from battlefield duties and sent him back to Macragge to continue his service as Master of the Recruits, believing his vast experience was a much to valuable resource to be lost. It was at that time that Guilliman decided to pen down all the war knowledge of the Imperium so that it may be readily available and saved for posterity. Killias spent the rest of the Great Crusade on Macragge training generation after generation of Ultramarines to the best of his abilities implanting in them his and Guillimans ideals of courage and honour.

 

Word of Horus Heresy reached Killias just as he was addressing the graduates ready to be transferred to the battle zones. Before he even had time to request a transfer back to battle duty the Word Bearers attacked Calth and all Ultramarines mobilised for war. Ancient records speak that Killias changed, no one ever saw him like that. He stalked through the fortress-monastery with a barely contained wrath, preaching war and annihilation to all who would listen more zealously than any chaplain of the time. As a sign of respect Guilliman formed a new chapter for Killias to command filled with brethren swayed by his orations. Throughout the long years of war Killias never neglected his passion for knowledge and arts and in his feverish zeal composed a march to mark his return to the battlefield. The Horus Heresy unleashed long suppressed emotions in Killias and he stalked the stars like an ancient god of war slaughtering all in his path. As the Ultramarines rushed across the galaxy to reach Terra it was Killias who led the advance his wrath surpassing even that of Guilliman. Faster than his advance the word spread that Myrmidon was once more on a warpath and many aspiring chaos champion came to challenged him only to realise their folly at the tip of his sword. As the war continued Guilliman grew concerned over the soul of his friend for on the field of battle he and his chapter resembled the savage warriors of the World Eaters rather than noble Ultramarines, but their effectiveness could not be denied.

 

Suffice to say the Ultramarines reached Terra when the battle was already over. Horus was dead and the Emperor mortally wounded. The Imperium was on its knees, sundered by civil war and prayed upon by the xeno which gathered like carrion around the dying. It stands as a great credit to him that Guilliman did not succumb to vengeance like his brother primarchs but rather focused his energy on preserving what was left and rebuilding what was destroyed. But Killias much like primarch Dorn of the Imperial Fists took the Emperors fall as his own personal failure. He led the spear tip of the Ultramarines advance and in his reasoning it was his fault that his Legion arrived late to save the Emperor and nothing Guilliman told him could change his mind. Before the Emperor encased on his golden throne Killias roared his oath never to rest until every last traitor is vanquished. Some say it was so powerful that in an instant every traitor across the galaxy knew, the Myrmidon is coming and there is no escape. As Guilliman despatched his Legion throughout the Imperium to stem the tide of invasion and unrest and hold the fragile domain of men through this time of great peril so he as well let loose Killias to prosecute his quest. Worlds burned in his path, entire populations slaughtered for the crime of sedition and treason. Ever a competitive soul Killias sought to match the exploits of Dorn and Russ in bringing the wrath of the Imperium upon those that turned from the Emperor. He and his soldiers became renowned for their brutality and mercilessness to the point where Russ openly proclaimed that it was a pity they were Ultramarines.

 

The long years of campaigning against the traitors, often alongside the Space Wolves, left their mark and when Killias and his men once more met with the rest of their Legion during the assault on Chitluk they were virtually unrecognisable. Where Ultramarines were clad in blue and gold gleaming armour Killias and his men had barely any colour left on their armour, metal showing through layers of dried blood. On the black sands they met with several companies of the World Eaters left behind as their allies from the Sons of Horus beat a hasty retreat. Killias and his companions led the charge and the sheer fury with which the two formations collided was breathtaking. The sons of Guilliman and Angron equally matched in their fury and wish to spill their opponents blood. Amidst the slaughter a sudden lull occurred around Killias and he had time to survey the battlefield, to the far right and left he saw the blue armoured warriors pushing the enemy back with controlled bursts of bolter fire while advancing methodically forward. Around him there was a completely different picture, his men were barely distinguishable from the enemies, hacking and slashing in primordial rage. At that moment Killias realised he had gone too far, he had pushed his men too far. Ordering a withdraw he allowed the heavy weapons of the Legion the scythe through the remaining World Eaters. The Battle was won, but not just for Chitluk but also for his soul and in the Empyrean the Dark God Khorne wailed in anguished for he had lost what seamed as one of his most promising disciples.

 

Killias returned with the rest of the Legion to Macragge to take part in the second founding. At first it looked as if he and his warriors would be integrated into the Ultramarine chapter. But Guilliman could not fail to notice that these marines were different, changed, though their armour was that of the Ultramarines their minds were no longer. So with heavy heart he summoned Killias to his chamber. Whatever passed between the two remains lost to history, but on the following morning two hundred surviving brethren of Killiases chapter were banded together to form a new chapter, the Vanquishers, named after the oath their master took. Killias was given his old battleship the Proud Conqueror along with a few strike vessels for support and took off to continue his quest. The coming decades saw the Vanquishers slowly growing in numbers as casualties took their tool and it would be a century after their founding when they could proclaim they were at full strength. Killias was a master of war that only Primarchs surpassed and he continued to lead the Vanquishers for centuries. He witnessed Primarch after a Primarchs pass away just as he saw them appear on the galaxies stage but he would not live long after the disappearance of the last Emperors son. On Kethal IV the Vanquishers, along with several other chapters, were called to liberate the population from the Iron Warriors traitor Legion led by Perturabo himself. Remembering the last time he fought a primarch Killias ordered the chapters apothecaries to administers stimuli that would make his organs function beyond the capabilities of a normal marine. He was fully aware that eventually he would succumb to the stimuli effects, not even his super human physique capable of handling the changes but the chance to slay a traitor primarch was not to be passed upon. The battle upon Kethal IV was a horrific affair for the Iron Warriors were masters of trench warfare and were aided by a contingent of Alfa Legion traitor marines. For two days fighting raged unabated and dozens of marines died every hour. The traitors fought bitterly but where ever Killias strode all defences melted away. On the third day the Iron Warriors counterattacked led by their primarch and such was their fury even marines fell back. It seamed as if the traitors would break the loyalists and plans were being made to evacuate the warriors and try the offensive later on more favourable terms. Then laser fire tore through the ranks of the enemies and a hail of heavy bolter shells reaped a bloody toll signalling the arrival of the Vanquishers veteran company and their land raiders. Killias meet Perturabo on the field of battle but for all his altered physique he could not match a daemon primarch though he engaged him never the less. While he kept Perturabo occupied his warriors pushed the Iron Warriors back and other retreating marine forces returned to battle sealing the doom of the enemy force. Killiases resistance and the failure of his warriors angered Perturabo and he bore in to the Myrmidon with all the hatred in his heart. The injures he inflicted upon Killias would have killed any other marine three times over and yet he fought on. Hatred blinded Perturabo and he left his guard slip allowing Killias to drive his sword from the side through warpsteel armour and ribwall straight into the secondary heart breaking the blade in the process so it could not be removed without extensive surgery. Roaring in pain and anguish Perturabo struck at the unarmoured cleaving him from neck to pelvis, but as he slew the brave warrior he caused even more damage to himself as the blade within him moved. Dark ichor started burbling from his mouth and he went down to one knee. The surviving veterans threw themselves at the crippled giant with savage fury keen on vindicating their fallen master. But Kethal IV was not to be the place where Perturabo would fall as marines of the Alpha Legion counterattacked the position along with the remnants of the Iron Warriors taking their primarch to safety. With their leader incapacitated and their number severely depleted the traitors abandoned the world and their mortal allies on it to the vengeance of the loyalist marines.

 

This tomb the dust of Killias doth hide,

Deleuses son and fruitful Terras pride

How tried his valour, universe may tell

And foul hearted Perturabo, who knew it all too well.

Inscription on Killiases Tomb

Killiases body was taken to earth where he was burned on a great pyre atop mound Olimbos and his ashes were placed into a tomb in the heart of Iolkos where to this day honour guard stands watch. And so with his passing the last of the heroes of the Great Crusade were lost to the world of men. The Vanquishers continued in the footsteps of their founder persecuting the foes of the Emperor with zeal and determination to this very day. Many a foe coming to regret the day when they raised the ire of the sons of Killias.

 

 

Home World

As the birthplace of Killias and the location where all space marine Legions were created Vanquishers honour ancient Terra as their home world. Unlike many other chapters of the Adeptus Astartes they have no permanent base of operations but function from a number of space ships. The heart of the chapter is their first battle barge the Proud Conqueror which has been extensively refitted to include the chapters forge and an enlarged apothecarion at the expense of its carrying capacity. Being a fleet based chapter means they have no single place of recruiting but rather pick and choose whenever and wherever the opportunity presents itself, the only difference is the candidate chosen from Terra. Once every decade at the end of the Honour Guard rotation, games are held in Iolkos, in which young boys compete testing their skill, endurance and wits. The winner of the games is given the honour of trying to become a space marine.

 

Just as in Iolkos the Vanquishers organise games on every Imperial world they visit, that has not been already claimed by some other chapter, to find suitable candidates. The games include several events from running and wrestling to poetry and sculpting. The contestants which excel in all of these events are taken to become space marines. Their flesh will be examined by the chapters apothecaries and their minds by chapters librarians for any sign of mutation. Those with the psychic talent will be taken away to attempt to become the new generation of chapters librarians. The remaining neophytes will be sent to the Academia. There while undergoing their physical transformation will be thought by chapters apothecaries about their bodies, various medicines and ways of dealing with battlefield injuries, chapters techmarines will teach them about the equipment they will use and how to repair it while chapters veterans will instruct them in the art of war and chapters history. In addition to these subjects neophytes will have to attend classes of poetry, sculpting, painting and literature. This for of schooling ensures that every member is as self sufficient as possible and is given basic education on other matters which separate men from beasts. The Academia lasts for six years and in this period individuals with greater affinity for technology and medicine are selected to continue their education within the Armoury and the Apothecarion while others are sent to the tenth company to serve their chapter for another decade as scouts before being given the right of becoming a full battle brother. During their stay in the tenth while not on battle duty neophytes are required to provide assistance in the chapters forge and it is at that time that every marine learns how to create his own basic equipment. The passing of a neophyte to a battle brother is only possible when he creates his own bolter.

 

 

Combat Doctrine

The Vanquishers fight by the tenants of the Codex Astartes, for it was in many ways as much Killiases as it was Guillimans. Outside the Ultramarines themselves there are few if any others that can claim to follow the codex as correctly as the Vanquishers. In the past it has even been rumoured that Guilliman gave Killias the original of the Codex as his parting gift when the Vanquishers were created but that has been refuted by the Ultramarines.

 

Being who he was Killias kept doing many things in his own personal way, interpreting Guillimans word differently than other chapter masters and that only increased following Guillimans fall. While the vast majority of chapters became rapid response forces trying to pluck the gaps so to say Killias marshalled the Vanquishers in pretty much the same way as if he was commanding a legion, using his marines constantly on the offensive, never stopping, never resting. There are maybe only a few dozen occasions in the Vanquishers history where they were forced to defend something.

 

Another difference to most other chapters is that the Vanquishers are almost at all time moving together as a chapter on a unified front, overwhelming their enemies and than moving on. An especially favoured tactic used by chapters masters throughout the past was to shadow advancing Imperial crusades and speeding up their progress. Though some among the higher echelons of the Imperial Guard hierarchy argue that the Vanquishers are needlessly taking their glory the soldiers on the field are more than happy to allow their Astartes brothers to attack traitor and xeno strongholds in their stead.

 

 

Organisation

Following the break-up of the Space Marine Legions into smaller fighting forces the Vanquishers became one of the descendants of the great Ultramarine Legion and follow the organisational dictates of Roboute Guilliman. They are divided into ten companies, each a hundred Space Marines strong and led by a captain. The 1st Company consists of battle-hardened veterans. Companies 2 to 5 are the Battle Companies that bear the brunt of the chapters wars. Companies 6 through 9 are reserve Companies and are deployed only in the direst of circumstances. It is from their number that losses in the Battle Companies are replaced. The 10th Company is made out of Scout squads in which neophytes get the chance to earn battlefield experience before becoming full battle brothers.

 

To an uninformed observer the Vanquisher would seam just like any other codex chapter but there are minor divergences that their fellow Primogenitor chapters hold against them. The Vanquishers respond that though Guilliman was their primarch, Killias was a first generation Duodecumvir and a man more than capable to adapt the codex organisation if he saw it lacking.

 

Unlike other chapter masters of the time Killias had only two hundred marines to begin with, compared to their thousand and had to construct his chapter from ground up. Unwilling to pull back from the front until the Vanquishers were at full strength and due to certain transport problems Killias made some amend to the companies organisation as well as adding a few more ranks over a chapter that follows Codex Astartes to the letter. Also some have noted than many of the changes he implemented brought with them the feel of old Legions to the new found chapter.

 

He introduced the rank of Lord Commander to replace that of the first company captain and to act as chapters second in command as well as leader of the masters honour guard. The chapters first veterans are known as “the Myrmidons” in honour of their founder and their own fighting skills. Along with it he revived the formation of a battalion in a marine force. The Vanquishers have three battalions each made by three companies and led by a Lieutenant Commander who is given a retinue from the first company. Battle Companies are also structured differently favouring tactical squads over assault and devastators squads. Each company is led by a captain with his attendant staff which includes a librarian and a techmarine along with the usual members as proscribed by the codex. The company is subdivided into three platoons made out of three tactical squads each led by a veteran. One of these squads is named the lead squads and is commanded by a veteran sergeant who also commands the platoon. In addition within every platoon one of the squads has access to equipment to be turned in either an assault or devastator squad. The tenth squad within the battle company is made out of veterans led by a Lieutenant who is also companies second in command. The reserve companies are also led by a captain with a staff equal to those of the Battle Company captains. The 6th and 7th company are divided into three platoons with the first platoon being made out four tactical squads. While the second and third platoon are made out of three assault or devastator squads respectfully. The 8th and 9th companies are entirely made out of assault and devastator squads respectfully, divided into three platoons. Individual squads and platoons follow the same command structure as in the battle companies. The 10th Company has no fixed structure outside the captain and his staff and two veteran scout squads which are made out of veteran marines who have specialised themselves in the art of infiltrating and forward recognisance, they also double as drill sergeant for the neophytes. In reality chapters first company does not exists for its members are dispersed throughout the chapter to bolster other companies with their skill and experience. In addition to these men there is at all times an honour guard upon Terra standing vigil over the Myrmidons tomb. There are ten marines in the honour guard, at all times two posts are filled by marines from the Vanquishers and the Ultramarines while other eight posts are rotated between the other Primogenitor chapters.

 

The chapters current organisation has most to thank to an argument which broke out between master Killias and Fabricator General of Mars not long after the chapters creation. The exact reasons of the fallout are no longer know but its effects are felt to this day by the Vanquishers. The argument threatened to turn into conflict before Guilliman intervened. The two sides were separated with Killias proclaiming that he will no longer send any marines to be trained by the Adeptus Mechanicus and that should he or any of his successors find any technology not know by the Adepts of Mars that they would not share. The Fabricator General responded equally forbidding the Vanquishers to receive any equipment from his organisation and threatened to do the same to anyone who would supply equipment to the Vanquishers. The chapter still sends its tithe each year but always dispatched through some other Primogenitor chapter that happens to be in their vicinity. The chapters artificers are capable of making new equipment and maintaining the old but the equipment is of older mark than used by most other chapters.

 

Chapters fleet is the one that has suffered most because of the fallout. In their possession Vanquishers have only one battle barge, the Proud Conqueror and three strike cruisers, Macragge, Minotaur and Myrmidon. The Proud Conqueror, due to its refits can not carry full four companies so while being the chapters flagship also servers as the transport of the chapters Headquarters, members of the 1st Company not assigned to other formations and the 10th Company. Each of the Lieutenant Commanders has been given a strike cruiser to command and serves as transport for the battalions veterans, tanks and dreadnoughts. The rest of the chapter is transported within heavily refitted Gladius class frigates, which can carry up to a platoon with its dedicated transports and may deploy the platoon via drop pods or a singular Thunderhawk. In addition to these vessels dedicated to transport of ground forces the chapter maintains several squadrons of Hunter class destroyers allegedly obtained from the Dark Angles through long standing pacts between the two organisations. There are whispers that the two chapters have come to some agreement concerning the need of Dark Angels to disengage from conflicts at time of their choosing with Vanquisher moving in to take their place in return for the production of the ships they need. The Adeptus Mechanicus has performed several investigations to trace the source of chapters equipment and ships, for at the time of the split the Vanquishers possessed only the battle barge and a few frigates, but apart from few hints linking them to the Dark Angels there is scant few clues. One of the investigations in M36 reported finding a so called “agreement of Calth” which spoke about Vanquishers using these shipyards in the possession of the Ultramarines chapter for their own needs. A few days later the inquirer disappeared and when the investigation questioned the Ultramarines of his whereabouts they replied that he had departed for Mars. Suffice to say the inquirer was never found and neither was there any more mention of the “agreement of Calth”. Without any concrete evidence the Adeptus Mechanicus is loathe to move against two first founding legions in fear of causing an irreparable rift between them and the Adeptus Astartes whose assistance and protection they sorely need.

 

 

Beliefs

The Vanquishers are first and foremost soldiers who have little if any religious overtones. To them the Emperor is just a man who developed the technologies needed for their creation and founded the Imperium and Roboute Guilliman is the writer of the Codex Astartes. They give no praise to them and the existence of themselves and the Codex take as granted, for the matter of fact there are no cathedrals or chapels anywhere within the chapter. Even their first master Killias is seen just as the best marine of his age who was doing his duty to the best of his abilities. The chapters chaplains main and only duty is to remind other brethren of their task, to protect humanity where ever it may be and to kill all that have broken their oath to the Emperor, for there is no fouler being than an oathbreaker. The Vanquishers have curious habit of carrying a small ampoule filled with earth from Terra within their armour, just above the heart, in a sense carrying their home world with them. Though there is no apparent belief behind it the members of the chapter like to have themselves burned on pyre once they die, mirroring Killiases funeral. When the flames die out their ashes are gathered and put into their bolter which is then sealed and transported to Terra, during the honour guard rotation, and placed in a vault that has been constructed bellow Killiases tomb.

 

 

Gene-seed

The gene-seed of Roboute Guilliman is the finest and the purest of all and so it remains within the Ultramarines chapter. The Vanquishers share that same gene-seed but due to some unfortunate events they no longer posses genetic data needed to grow the Catalepsean Node. This has led some marines to suffer from trauma when exposed to longer periods of fighting. It has been noted that their personalities change, they become more volatile and are prone to succumbing violent behaviour against other members of the chapter, when not on the field of battle, for no apparent reason. As time progresses these men become nigh uncontrollable on the field of battle wishing only to bring Emperors wrath to their foes. The final stage of this behaviour is when marines can no longer be controlled outside the battlefield and have to have sedation packs incorporated in their black carapace to keep them in a state of blissfully tranquillity, in essence drugged. They remain as a sad reminder to the rest of the brethren of what a marine becomes if pushed to far. Sometimes when the situation calls it these warriors will be unleashed on the foe as shock troops rending their opponents limb from limb. The chapters commanders are fully aware of the reasons this happens and make sure to make their engagements as short as possible and routinely rotate squads between Battle and reserve Companies to reduce battle stress as much as possible.

 

 

Battlecry

The first part is shouted by the commander of the force while the second is the response from the assembled marines before going to battle.

 

“For Him!”

“Ready!”

 

The Vanquishers also have one peculiar habit. As they approach the battlefield or are preparing to go to battle they flood all vox channels, as well as reproducing it from their vox casters, with music. It is a march composed by Killias in the dark days of the Horus Heresy to mark his return as the Emperors Myrmidon to the field of battle. It was first heard when the Ultramarines counterattacked Word Bearers besieging Calth and has been heard on every battle Killias and the Vanquishers fought ever since. In M34 the Imperial strategist noted the psychological affects the tune had on Guardsmen that were familiar with it and proscribed that all Imperial Guard regiments must be made familiar with it and its meaning, the arrival of the Emperors Angels of Death. It is truly an amazing sight to see entire Imperial battle line erupt in humming the tune heralding the arrival of the Vanquishers. Even the dim-witted Orkz have learned to look to the skies when they hear it.

 

 

 

 

 

P.s. To create an image of a veteran marine and captain/lord commander I will need the help of one of the fine folks from the "post your colour scheme" topic, when I am on the matter what program are those guys using and is it possible to acquire it for free over the net?

[Hubernator]

P.s. To create an image of a veteran marine and captain/lord commander I will need the help of one of the fine folks from the "post your colour scheme" topic, when I am on the matter what program are those guys using and is it possible to acquire it for free over the net?

That's easy my friend. We all use SM Painter V5 Beta to get our schemes to our liking. When you have your scheme done click on "Wargear" at the bottom of the page ;)

[Hrvat]

First post edited with rest of the article.

 

 

 

 

P.s. To create an image of a veteran marine and captain/lord commander I will need the help of one of the fine folks from the "post your colour scheme" topic, when I am on the matter what program are those guys using and is it possible to acquire it for free over the net?

That's easy my friend. We all use SM Painter V5 Beta to get our schemes to our liking. When you have your scheme done click on "Wargear" at the bottom of the page ^_^

 

Thanks :)

 

But that was not what I was talking about. I know about the painter and wargear section, what I am interested is in what program are the guys from above mentioned topic altering the product of the painter to add other stuff and where if it is possible can that program be found on the interenet.

 

Cheers

 

 

Hrvat

[Hubernator]

But that was not what I was talking about. I know about the painter and wargear section, what I am interested is in what program are the guys from above mentioned topic altering the product of the painter to add other stuff and where if it is possible can that program be found on the interenet.

I think you mean the fancy tricks we call Photoshopping. Tis easy. You need an image-editing software, eg Photoshop, Gimp, Macromedia Fireworks (for me :lol:) and I'm pretty sure you have to buy them and install them. I think there's a few free ones on the net but I don't look for one... so I can't help you there.

[The Dean]

GIMP is the free open source version of Photoshop basically. Google it and get to work! :lol:

[Hrvat]

Thanks. :lol: