IA - The Grave Wardens - A Graecus Crusaders Chapter

[Cryptix]

"Dead men tell no tales."

An unknown patron saint of the Grave Wardens

A Tactical Marine of the Grave Wardens, Fifth Company

"Death follows in our wake!"

The Chapter's Symbol

Origins

The Grave Wardens are a chapter of the Second Founding of the Imperial fists, and it is believed by some inquisitors that due to the proliferation of MKII and MKIII armor among their forces that they were once elements of a shattered legion force. They are a fatalistic chapter, officially being classified as death cultists by the Ordo Astartes but in reality are more alike to the Destroyer Cadres of the old legions, believing that from the start they are damned and they must give their lives in the service of the emperor. As a result of this fatalistic attitude, the chapter has increased casualties and a large number of Dreadnoughts, those who view that have failed in their duty and must continue to fight. It has gotten to the point where if an Astartes is able to be saved via internment but cannot speak, the Apothecaries will automatically choose to have them become a Dreadnought.

I'll be working on this one in bits and pieces, so more coming soon!

[Bjorn Firewalker]

I like the Chapter colors. Is the Chapter symbol a bird's skull over a crescent moon? It reminds me of Sachiel (the Third Angel in 'Neon Genesis Evangelion', the Fourth in 'Evangelion 1.0: You Are (Not) Alone').

[Kelborn]

Indeed, now that you've said it, I see it, too. ^^

 

Now I'm curious if it was an accident or if we might see more references.

[Cryptix]

Holy mother of Mortarion how did I miss that.

 

It wasn't planned before, but now expect a Crusading chapter that gets around the 1000 marines limit with a crap-ton of dreadnoughts fighting an endless war with not!Iyaden.

[Cryptix]

Origins done!

[Bjorn Firewalker]

The statement "The Grave Wardens are a chapter of the Second Founding of unknown successors," will NEVER fly with the Inquisition, or with other loyalist Space Marine Chapters- many of which will serve as the Inquisition's muscle, should that organization order the Grave Wardens purged. Best have the Grave Wardens claim to be Ultramarines descendants, though the Ultramarines themselves may not recognize them as such. (There is a precedent for this. Games Workshop's own fluff suggests Iron Warriors loyalists founded the Silver Skulls, though the Chapter itself claims to be an Ultramarines descendant.)

[Cryptix]

Hmm. I think I'll make them under Dorn. 

[Bjorn Firewalker]

As noted in the Crimson Scorpions Chapter thread, the Second Founding is relatively detailed in Games Workshop's publications, and thus, subject to intense scrutiny in and outside of fluff (from the Inquisition in the fictional universe, from other players in the real world). If you insist on making the Grave Wardens a Second Founding Chapter, I advise you to read works on the Horus Heresy, and think of scenarios in which the future Grave Wardens could and would contribute- note that, as your works will be subjected to intense scrutiny, it's best their contributions be relatively minor. (The future Silver Skulls were fortifying the "Imperium Secundus" that Guilliman set up when Ultramar lost communications with Terra.)

 

I apologize if this seems frustrating, but it's best you be warned. When I wrote the fluff for the Iron-hearted Angels, I was subjected to the same scrutiny, because I claimed the Chapter fought in the Badab War