Index Astartes: Knights of Typhon

[Izural]

Knights of Typhon

http://s8.postimg.org/rfw2vh6xd/Templar_Flag_6.jpg

 

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Founding Chapter: Unknown

Founding: Unknown, Speculation - Between M31 nad M33

Homeworld: Crusader Class Battle-barge "Retribution", Formally Typhon

Heraldry: Dark Gold, Black Pauldron Inlays

Speciality: Mechanized and Alpha Strike

Chapter Strength: Pre-Scouring - 5000, Currently - 700

Battle Cry: Pre-Scouring- "For Typhon!", Currently - "For the Fallen! In the Name of Vengeance!"

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+++Chapter Organisation+++

 

The Knights of Typhon do not adhere to the Codex Astartes strictly like most chapters. Whilst their company organisation complies with that of the Codex, their command structure and organisation of auxiliary branches like the Armoury and Reclusiam differ significantly. The Knights have no title of "Chapter Master" instead using the title "Lord Commander" in its place. Unusually, their second in command is always the Master of the Forge and the Techmarines of the chapter operate as both Techmarine and Chaplain, much like the Forge Fathers of the Iron Hands Chapter.

Whilst most Chapters keep reserves of Predator and Vindicator tanks, the Knights possess neither in their armoury, opting to instead utilise large numbers of Land Raiders and Whirlwinds. The Knights of Typhon possess an unusual amount of Dreadnaughts, numbering at least 20 per company. The reason for this is that unlike other Astartes, the Knights do not inter just their fallen brethren, but will inter their greatest champions, alive, inside a Dreadnaught. This is seen as the greatest honour among the Chapter, to become one with a machine, thus becoming closer to the Omnissiah.

 

Post-Scouring, the chapter has suffered innumerable losses with entire Companies being destroyed. The Chapter does not operate a scout company, since they no-longer recruit from any world. The Knights of Typhon will follow their crusade to either victory or their destruction. 

 

The following Chapter Organisation chart is compiled post-Scouring-

 

Lord Commander

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Master of the Forge

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Honour Guard

20 "Guardians"

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Armoury/Reclusiam

5 Techmarines

11 Techpriests

45 Servitors

10 Land Raiders

12 Whirlwinds

13 Stormravens

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Apothecarium

7 Apothecaries

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Librarium

None

{Purged}

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1st Company

Destroyed, along with all suits of Tactical Dreadnaught Armour

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2nd Company

"Vengeance"

Captain Tirralin

5 Tactical Squads

2 Assault Squads

20 Dreadnaughts

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3rd Company

"Retribution"

Captain Ryou

4 Tactical Squads

5 Assault Squads

10 Dreadnaughts

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4th Company

Destroyed

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5th Company

"Aegis"

Captain Lucian

10 Tactical Squads

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6th Company

Destroyed

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7th Company

Destroyed

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8th Company

Destroyed

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9th Company

"Lightning"

5 Bike Squadrons

5 Landspeeder Squadrons

24 Stormtalons

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10th Company

Destroyed

 

 

Origins:
 
The Knights of Typhon were formed at an unknown point in the Imperium's history. Speculation puts their founding between M31 and M33, but all records of such a founding have been lost or otherwise destroyed. The one truth however, is that the chapter was formed to safeguard the Forge World of Typhon, a planet with an abundance of rare minerals discovered and colonized by the Mechanicus in early M31. The identity of their parent chapter is unknown, though rumours exist that the Lord Command knows from whom they descend.
The Knights of Typhon operate in an independent fashion, beholden to none, not the Codex Astartes nor even the Inquisition. They do not venerate the Emperor as a God, like most Astartes, but place their faith in the Omnissiah; much akin to the Mechanicus who first discovered and colonized Typhon. As a result, the Knights of Typhon share almost brotherhood-like bonds with the Mechanicus. 
 
However, neither their faith in the Omnissiah, nor the vast resources of Typhon itself could save the Knights of Typhon from the events that would shatter their world, and drive their Lord Commander to the edge of madness.
 
History:
 
751.M39 - "Whispers"
 
While primarily a Forge World, Typhon had developed many a burgeoning Hive city. Such cities were located outside the capital of Typhon, which took its namesake from the planet itself. With an increasing populace, rumours of cult-activity would run rampant through the Hive cities. Citizens would claim to have witnessed strange rituals, or robed figures skulking around the dark, labyrinthine alleyways that snaked through the Hives. No real evidence would ever materialize however and such rumours were dismissed as the ravings of the mad or sleep-deprived.

This would prove to be a fatal mistake.

 

On Typhon the proud and mighty Astartes function not just as protectors, but as law enforcement also. Whilst most worlds would establish a local law enforcement authority, the planetary governor, an Astartes himself, wanted his brothers to take that role in order to enforce complete authority over its citizens; after all, what citizen would dare incur the terrible wrath of a Space Marine?

The many reports of Cult activity would eventually reach critical mass, increasing in number daily. Deciding that the reports could not be ignored any longer, Governor Xandrix would despatch 2nd Company Captain Izural and two full squads of Marines to investigate the matter and finally put a rest to the unease felt by Typhons citizens.

The investigation would centre around Hive Sector 2, the largest of the hives and the most densely populated. Upon arrival in the Hive Captain Izural and his 2nd Company brothers would find it bereft of activity. The streets of a Hive were constantly alive, street vendors pedalling their wares, the ambient buzz of citizens talking with one another as they went about their daily business or commuting to the Capitals Forges. 

It would be here in Sector 2 that the Marines of 2nd company and Captain Izural would be ambushed by dark-robed figures. Though considered superior, the Astartes of 2nd company were vastly outgunned and out-manoeuvred. The ambushers had set up snipers on rooftops whilst others were hiding in the numerous habs, firing from windows and doorways. Three Astartes had fallen as soon as the ambush was sprung by sniper fire from a distant rooftop, two more fell as they scrambled to find cover from the withering hail of autogun fire coming from the many habs. Izural and his Brothers returned fire, bolter rounds felling many of the ambushers as they pierced through the flimsy hab walls they had taken cover behind. A number of ambushers had managed to skirt around the Astartes position, screaming incoherently and armed with various blades and chainswords, they launched themselves at the Space Marines. Many battle-brothers would fall to sniper fire as they were forced to defend themselves in melee, grenades were thrown from hab windows, the shrapnel tearing through Astartes and Robed-Figures alike. 

Captain Izural would have to call a retreat, his company's numbers had been dwindled down to himself and five other battle-brothers. They sped through the streets and alleyways of Sector 2, their superior physique and training allowed them to outpace the ambushers easily. They headed straight for the extraction point where their Stormraven was awaiting their return. This was no mere armed uprising, the dark robes, the fanatical and suicidal nature of the attackers, there was defiantly a cult operating on Typhon. Captain Izural did not want to retreat from the skirmish in Sector 2, but he had lost fifteen brothers, and reporting the uprising back to Lord Commander Xandrix was more important then his pride.

 

751.M39 - "Enemy, Revealed"

 

As the Stormraven took to the skies, transporting Captain Izural and the five remaining Astartes of 2nd Company back to the Capital, smoke and flashes of light could be seen emanating from Sector 2. The further they climbed, the further they could see of Typhons Hives. The smoke and flashes were not contained to just Sector 2, every other Sector seemed to be in a state of warfare. A conflagration had all but consumed Sector 3, and numerous habs had been simply flattened in Sector 4. In the distance the Astartes could hear the roar of battle-cannons signalling the mobilization of the PDF. Captain Izural was being fed constant reports via his Helmets Vox-Link of armed uprisings throughout each hive. The PDF was out-numbered and failing to regain a hold of the Hives, but no response from the Astartes had yet been called for.

 

The Stormraven landed outside the Capital Spire, Captain Izural gave orders to the remaining 2nd company Astartes to gather the rest of the company and await his command. Entering the Spire the Captain would notice the lack of guards posted, not a single person, Militarum or Astartes, remained in the spire. He made his way to the Office of the Governor, located at the very top level of the building. As he entered the office, Xandrix was facing away from him on the balcony of the office, silently observing the distant destruction of Sector 2. Captain Izural gave his very brief report to Xandrix about what had happened in Sector 2. If Xandrix was moved by this, Izural could not tell. 

"Sir, why have we not mobilized the Astartes? Typhon is in chaos and we need to bring back order!" 

Izural's question was met with silence still.

Izural began to approach Xandrix, as he drew closer the air about him seemed to crackle with electricity.

"Xandrix? What are you..."

The question was cut short by an invisible force blasting Izural backwards through the governors chamber. Managing to land on his feet, Izural looked across the chamber to Xandrix who was facing him now. Were his eyes... glowing?

"Typhons destruction is finally here. Everything will burn, the men, the women, the children. Even you pathetic Astartes will be reduced to cinders in the face of the coming doom." Xandrix whispered.

"You will see Captain. This world, all of mankind, the Corpse Emperor on his throne....

All is Dust." 

[ImperialCitizen]

Nice going there, would like to see their color scheme.

[Micius]

The history section is a little unclear for an IA. What is the scouring? It seems that some marines turned to Chaos? Did some stay loyal? The in-fiction telling is obscuring what is going on organizationally with the chapter. Why did these marines fall to Chaos?

 

You might want to consider revising your numbers for chapter strength a bit. There's a (mostly) hard cap of 1,000 battle brothers for Space Marine chapters.

 

I would advise against giving your chapter a policing role. Space Marines aren't necessarily the best force equipped for law enforcement. While frequently governing worlds, they aren't necessarily patrolling the streets and keeping the populace in line. A hive city might have millions of people in it and Astartes are never going to really have the numbers to effectively police the population. It might be better to have a PDF or somesuch that reports directly to the chapter who serve as local law enforcement.