Index Astartes: Stormbringers

[Lysimachus]

With a well-earned reputation for ruthless savagery and a callous disregard for human life, the Stormbringers Chapter of the Adeptus Astartes is as much feared and hated by those it professes to serve as it is by their enemies. The Stormbringers themselves care not for such petty concerns. They know that the Imperium of Man constantly walks the line between life and death, struggling to survive against its enemies from within and without. They, as its guardians, must do whatever is necessary to ensure its continued existence.

Origins:[/skullheaderhalf]

The Stormbringers Chapter of the Adeptus Astartes was formed during the 17th Founding from the mighty gene seed of Primarch Jaghatai Khan of the White Scars Legion. Their training cadre and first commander, a powerful warrior by the name of Tsubodai Khan, were drawn from the third Brotherhood of one of the White Scars fiercest successor Chapters, the Rampagers.

The Chapters first battles were fought as part of a combined Imperial force making war along the north-western borders of the Ultima Segmentum against a series of Ork invasions. Led by Tsubodai, the new Chapter first came to the world Tuphon while hunting down an Ork cruiser carrying a cunning Warboss who had somehow escaped an ambush set by ships of the Imperial Navy. The Khan was immediately impressed both by the resistance of the native tribes against the alien invaders and by the wild nature of the planet itself. When the battle to destroy the Orks was finally over, Tsubodai declared Tuphon to be his by right of conquest, and to honour its brave people he gave his Chapter the name and colours they bear to this day.

HomeWorld[/skullheaderhalf]

Tuphon is a world as close to hell as I have ever seen. Inquisitor Raymien Saint

Tuphon is designated as a Class IV Death World but even this ominous description does no justice to the harshest of realities. Its surface is mostly covered by deep, dark and tempestuous seas, their swirling, raging waters broken only by jagged spires of black stone that pierce into the sky. Tuphons single continental land mass, covering perhaps one eighth of the planets surface near the equator, is little more than a vast slab of the same dark, unyielding stone.

Tuphon

Tuphon has three moons and they, by their proximity and gravitational pull, have a massive impact on the worlds weather systems. Near continuous storms wrack the surface, hammering the rocky ground and turning the oceans into a churning maelstrom. Angry grey clouds fill the sky completely, hurling torrential rain down onto the dark stone. Bolt after bolt of lightning blasts from the sky and hurricane force winds howl through the mountains and valleys. At their worst, the storm winds increase in speed to hundreds of miles per hour, picking up boulders the size of men and pitching them around like pebbles. Even more dangerous are the smaller shards of rock shattered by lightning strikes. Gathered up by the wind, they turn the storm into a horrifying weapon that can strip the flesh from a mans bones in a matter of seconds. Only the most advanced armour can withstand such an onslaught.

Very little could live in such a land were it not for the great Ironwoods, mighty trees adapted to their environment with a bark tougher than plascrete and the ability to thrive on the low light that filters through the heavy clouds. Even they cannot survive out in the open, against the full force of the storms, but in the valleys and ravines cut by the passage of vast rivers of dark water, they bring life to Tuphon's surface. Beneath the eaves of these protective giants a fragile ecosystem of flora and fauna clings to being. Thin grasses and shrubs grow around the bases of the great trees, providing food for a variety of herbivorous creatures, ranging from tiny rodents to great thick coated stags. There are no carnivorous creatures under the forest canopy, all such species having been wiped out by their rivals, Tuphons greatest predators men.

Men had been on Tuphon for many long millennia before the Stormbringers came. Little is known about when or how they came to Tuphon, but whatever technology brought them to their new home must have been quickly destroyed by its harsh climate. Any kind of civilized society must undoubtedly have broken down with equal speed, degenerating into a primitive, almost feral, system of clans and tribes that has remained the same ever since. Life is incredibly harsh for the people of Tuphon, a constant struggle to find food and shelter from the great storms beneath the Ironwoods. Both are exceedingly scarce and are therefore a root of near continuous conflict between the various clans as they endeavour to survive. Clan holdings are often destroyed by particularly violent storms or raging flood waters, forcing their people to search for new homes, even making war to conquer and take the lands of other clans.

The men and women of Tuphon are a hardy race, lean and pale skinned but strong and resilient. Their men are warriors from birth, beginning their training with axe, spear and bow almost as soon as they can walk, preparing them to fight for the continued survival of their clan and making them ideal candidates for initiation into a Chapter of the Adeptus Astartes. In temperament the clanspeople are savagely cold and pragmatic, a necessity in their extreme environment. Every member of a clan must be strong, able to provide in some way towards the survival of their people, and any who cannot are quickly cast out. There is no care expected or given for children born with even the slightest disability, and any found to bear such at birth are ritually returned to the earth. If and when any clan member reaches a point where he or she can no longer be of use to their brethren, perhaps becoming too old, sick or injured either to fight or to care for other responsibilities, they will willingly and proudly walk alone and naked out onto the plains to be taken by the great storms, rather than impose any further burden on their brothers. In battle, a clansman will unhesitatingly and uncaringly commit acts of horrific bloodshed against another clan if it will keep his tribal brothers alive for another day. However, he would also be equally willing to give up his own life if he deemed the sacrifice to be worthwhile and for the good of the clan.

Organisation[/skullheaderhalf]

The effect of the Codex Tempestus on the Stormbringers Chapter could be compared to that of giving a penal legion killer a dress uniform to wear; the countenance appears more refined, yet the murderous sociopath beneath remains unchanged. Inquisitor Holst after the Torros incident.

The single greatest influence on the organization of the Stormbringers was undoubtedly their 4th Chapter Master: a warrior named Isegrimm, who was born, raised and inducted into the Chapter on Tuphon. By his time, the majority of the Chapter were likewise natives of their home world, and the Stormbringers had already developed a reputation among Imperial commanders for savage and uncontrollable brutality, occasionally even against allied troops and civilians. The Chapter was investigated by the Inquisition and Isegrimm was told in no uncertain terms that he must rein in his forces or face the threat of Excommunication.

Isegrimm was not only a great warrior but also a cunning strategist and a devoted student of the myriad ways of making war. He responded to the Inquisitions threats by writing a book that would save the Stormbringers, the Codex Tempestus or Book of Storms. This was a tome based in equal parts upon Guillimans Codex Astartes, the teachings of Jaghatai Khan handed down from their Rampagers forebears, and his own years of combat experience.

Hunters

Although the Stormbringers do not permit their Initiates to take to the battlefield, the role of scout must still be filled. Therefore a small corps of experienced First Company veterans, typically from the tactically minded Sternguard, are trained to serve as Hunters. Two or three members of this highly specialized elite group are assigned to serve with each of the Strike Companies. Clad in unmarked black carapace armour and draped in cameoline cloaks, these warriors range far ahead of the rest of the Company, preparing the way for their brethrens advance. Each Hunter works alone and unaided, answering only to his brother Hunters and the Strike Captain. They are masters of reconnaissance, skilled in interrogation and torture, as well as being highly trained in all aspects of guerrilla warfare, including sabotage and assassination. There are many instances where an enemy force has been defeated with barely a shot fired, mainly thanks to the carefully gathered information or carefully placed snipers bullet of a ruthless Hunter.

The Book of Storms codified the varying structures of the individual Brotherhoods into the strictly organized Strike Companies that remain to this day. There are eight such Companies, each of which is an autonomous fighting unit of approximately 100 Space Marines. As in a typical Battle Company, the majority of this number is made up by six Tactical squads. However, in harmony with the teachings of the Khan these warriors are well trained and equally adept in deploying as fast moving Bike Squads. Again following the Codex Astartes, each Strike Company also includes two ten man Assault squads; but it is among their heavy support units that the Stormbringers most diverge from Guillimans masterwork. The final twenty members of a typical Strike Company are generally split into vehicle crews, manning either Attack Bike or Land Speeder squadrons which provide heavier firepower but can still maintain the pace set by their brethren. Finally, each Company is led into battle by their Strike Captain and a small cadre of command staff and company veterans who will often act as a fast moving spearhead, equipped with either Bikes or Jump Packs to carry them swiftly to war.

The Chapters First Company follows the same pattern as set by the Strike Companies, with the exception that its 100 members are instead comprised of highly experienced Sternguard, Vanguard, and Bike or Land Speeder-mounted Stormguard veterans, chosen from the very best warriors the Strike Companies have to offer. This Company acts as the personal guard of the Stormbringers Chapter Master, and their badge is a mighty wyvern of Tuphon clutching a lightning bolt in its scaly claws. This symbol is all too appropriate, for the First Company are the undisputed masters of the rapid assault.

The Chapter has only a few dozen suits of ancient Tactical Dreadnought Armour. These relics are carefully maintained, to be used only in times of direst need by the very finest warriors among the First Company. When deployed in this this way, the Stormbringer veterans are often carried into battle by one of the Chapters three Land Raiders: the Wyverns Claw, the Spear of Tsubodai and the Innocents Blood.

Finally, in addition to these nine Companies, there is the Chapters Tenth Company, including its recruiting Captain, Sergeants and Initiates. The Stormbringers do not consider it efficient to send Space Marines not fully trained into combat, so Initiates are not assigned to a Strike Company until the Master of Recruits deems them ready to become full Battle Brothers. However, the 10th is given the serious responsibility of defending the Chapter fortress when all of the Strike Companies are on campaign. The Tenth Company can number anywhere from 50 to 200 Initiates at any given time.

The Chapter Master is also responsible for the Chapter HQ, including overall command of the Stormbringers Librarium, Apothecarium, Reclusiarchy and Forges; as well as the Chapter's Fortress Monastery, Armoury and Fleet, including the myriad Chapter staff that care for these assets. The Stormbringers Strike Companies each have assigned to them a Strike Cruiser, enabling them to react quickly to any Imperial cry for help. The First Company, however, is privileged to use the Chapters flagship, a Battle Barge named the Emperors Wrath". These vessels are berthed and maintained at a massive space dock that the Stormbringers keep in orbit around Tuphons second moon.

The reforms made by Master Isegrimm in the Book of Storms also included strict regulations on the appearance of the Chapters Marines, requiring them to decorate their armour as any other Codex Chapter might, with similar Company and squad designations, honour and campaign badges, kill markings and personal litanies. Isegrimm even took the step of taking a new name, Octavian, that of a revered warrior hero of the Imperium rather than that of his own clan. He further decreed that each warrior of the Chapter must do the same so that the Stormbringers would show no outward signs of their savage tribal origins. Octavian asserted that his goal was simply to bring his Chapter in line with what was acceptable to the Adeptus Terra. However, the Stormbringers many critics claim that the Book of Storms has proved to be nothing more than a smokescreen, a facade of civility to fool the unwary, and that the Chapter is no less vicious than it ever was.

Combat Doctrine

Terror is a weapon with a strength greater than that of a hundred bolt guns. Book of Storms LXII.VI

A Commander who fails to use every weapon at his disposal is nothing more than a fool. Book of Storms LVI.II

On the battlefield and in strategy, the Stormbringers Space Marines think little differently than one of their former clan brothers, willing to use all manner of terror tactics and commit the most unspeakable atrocities in order to achieve their objective. Stormbringers commanders have been known to use innocent civilian populations to bait traps for enemy forces, to use other Imperial units as cannon fodder to protect their own, more valuable, troops as they enter combat; even to fire upon friendly forces once they have been used to bog down an enemy at close quarters. Often such tactics do win battles and wars, frequently with far more acceptable losses to the Imperiums assets overall; but those used by the Stormbringers rarely see it that way. Most local Imperial commanders view the Chapter as cruel, without conscience, and believe they are better off without the Space Marines help, many even refusing to fight beside them.

Strike first, strike fast, strike hard.

Book of Storms II.XV

It is unsurprising that the Stormbringers tactical dogma focuses primarily on rapid deployment and assault stratagems. While not being as totally reliant on the use of Bike squads as their parent Legion, these do feature heavily in Stormbringers forces, along with jump pack equipped assault units and Land Speeders. Tactical squads are invariably assigned Rhino or Razorback APCs to allow rapid redeployment, unless the force is being deployed directly into combat via drop pods, and almost never use heavy weapons that may slow the unit down. The only exception to this is the use of heavy bolters fitted with rare suspensor devices that enable the weapon to be fired on the move. Dreadnoughts and Devastator squads are never used, being far too static for the Stormbringers style of warfare, and additional heavy support is provided solely by the Chapters battle tanks. This role is primarily filled by Predators, but the Armoury does include several squadrons of Vindicator and Whirlwind pattern tanks that may be assigned to support a Strike Company.


[skullheaderhalf=13139C]Beliefs

The Wyverns of Tuphon

The only creatures of Tuphon that can challenge the supremacy of the clans are the great wyverns, ferocious beasts of scale, talon and fang. They begin their lives from eggs laid into the oceans of Tuphon, hatching into lithe, 2 metre long hunters, feasting on the abundance of aquatic life beneath the waves. Over the course of many years they grow, doubling or even tripling their size, becoming a grave threat to the clansmen who brave the fierce seas to fish for their people. As a wyvern approaches full adulthood, though, a change comes over them. They drag their bodies, now nearer 10 metres in length, from the seas onto the rocks that break the waters surface and enwrap themselves in a cocoon like state where they remain for several days. When they emerge their backs have sprouted a huge pair of leathery wings and their scales have hardened to a state more resilient than diamonds. The adult wyvern now nests in the mountains of Tuphon and feeds on both the fish of the oceans and on the beasts and men of the land. It is the only creature of all Tuphon untroubled by the great storms, its hide grown impervious to even the most brutal winds. In fact, the more ferocious the tempest, the more the beasts seem to enjoy it, spiralling wildly through the windswept skies and screeching their heart-freezing, terrible cries to all who may hear.

The Stormbringers believe first and foremost in the survival of the Imperium of Man. It is their sole purpose in life that the Emperors realm should not fall, and they feel no compunction over taking whatever course they deem necessary to ensure its continued existence. For example, if a battle costs the lives of one hundred civilians rather than that of a single Astartes, this is viewed as entirely acceptable, simply by virtue of their comparative value to the Imperium. In the present time, with Mankind attacked on all sides by countless enemies and always in desperate need of its finest warriors, it is debatable whether any could truly prove that they are wrong. Many have branded the Chapter as cowardly because of their methods but such accusations are inaccurate. If the Stormbringers feel that the sacrifice is necessary, or the objective important enough, they will willingly and without hesitation give their lives to achieve it. Others call the Chapter cruel, disloyal or heartless. The Stormbringers themselves feel that they are simply being efficient.

The Chapter has on several occasions been investigated by the Inquisition because of their savage use of other Imperial citizens. However, while some more youthful, fiery Inquisitors would like to see the Stormbringers punished, the Chapter is lucky enough to enjoy the favour of several high ranking and more experienced Lords of the Inquisition. These are men and women who recognize that there are times when the ends must justify the means. Thus, for the present time at least, the Stormbringers are free to continue in their bloody-handed ways.

However, it should be noted that while the Stormbringers have a reputation for doing whatever is necessary to achieve their goals, they do have limits. No true member of the Chapter would countenance having anything to do with xenos of any species or even less with the corrupting taint of Chaos.

The clans of Tuphon, while usually a coldly utilitarian people, do venerate the Emperor of Mankind, giving him the place of the Tuphonic tribal god, the Lord of The Sun Rising". On rare occasions the storms abate, allowing the sun to shine through onto the surface. In response, thousands of tiny seedlings and roots embedded in the rocky ground burst forth into frantic life, seemingly desperate to propagate their species. Many swell in what seem mere moments with rich vegetation and fruits that the clans gather to enjoy great feasts with their temporary plenty. Such times are considered holy days dedicated to the Lord of The Sun Rising", a brief respite from the hardship and conflict that are the only way of life on Tuphon.

While the Stormbringers follow few of Tuphon's tribal rituals, they still do enjoy these days of light and peace dedicated to the Emperor, with all brethren present gathering to feast and celebrate. Portions of Chapter lore remembering great victories are read aloud, trials of strength and skill are contested and the Chaplains lead the Chapter in prayer to the Lord of The Sun Rising".


[skullheaderhalf=13139C]Geneseed

The gene seed of the Stormbringers is largely stable but the Melanochrome implant

You will be labelled as savages and barbarians. This is incorrect.
Savagery and barbarism are merely tools to be used as any other.

Chaplain Vespasian addressing new Chapter Aspirants.

appears to have an unusual effect in conjunction with the genetic make-up of the Tuphonic people. The clansmen are, by reason of their harsh environment, naturally pale and gaunt featured but in those who become Space Marines these characteristics seem profoundly accentuated, while by some chemical reaction their hair is bleached to a shocking white blonde. These combine to make the Stormbringers appearance highly unsettling to most other humans, a fact that the Strike Captains always use to their advantage on the rare occasions they require something from their Imperial 'allies'.


[skullheaderhalf=13139C]Battle-Cry

The Stormbringers recognize that a battle cry is a weapon that has a greater effect on some enemies than others and thus their war cries vary depending on what foes they face. Against a fearless enemy that would be totally unaffected, such as Tyranids or Orks, the Battle Brothers remain silent, conserving energy for fighting; whereas against a more easily demoralized foe, such as traitorous Imperials, Tau or some Eldar, they enter battle screaming terrifying and wordless howls of pure, unbridled rage and hatred amplified through the voxcasters of their power armour.


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