The Auric Heralds

[Captain Titus]

Index Astartes

The Auric Heralds

 
 

---

 

The guardians of humanity’s edge, where the light of the Imperium flickers, yet does not fail.

The Auric Heralds are the stalwart defenders of the Veil of Calyx, a perilous expanse on the far eastern frontier of the galaxy. From their fortress-monastery on the Hesperon Magnus, they oversee dozens of human worlds that are constantly menaced by xenos predators and heretical incursions. Their mission is one of unyielding vigilance, standing as bulwarks against those who would threaten the Imperium’s reach in this distant region. Isolated by vast gulfs of space and the sporadic tides of the Warp, the Auric Heralds have forged a reputation for resilience and self-reliance. Their wargear is a testament to their ingenuity and resourcefulness, featuring a variety of power armour marks—many ancient but meticulously maintained. They reject the hubris of perfection, believing instead that striving toward it is a noble goal, while true perfection itself is a myth, a folly of those who have forgotten their humanity.

 
 

---

 



A Spacemarine of the Auric Heralds

 

---

 

Origins

The origins of the Auric Heralds are shrouded in mystery, buried beneath millennia of fragmented records and half-remembered tales. Official Imperium archives lack definitive information regarding their Founding or their genetic lineage. Speculation abounds, with some scholars suggesting the Chapter descends from the noble gene-seed of Roboute Guilliman, citing their tactical acumen and dedication to the protection of humanity. Others argue for a connection to the stoic lineage of Rogal Dorn, pointing to their implacable resilience and mastery of defensive warfare. More sinister theories are whispered in hushed tones, hinting at darker origins. Those who openly question the Chapter's heritage often find themselves "lost" amid the turbulent warp storms of the Veil of Calyx, their inquiries unanswered and their presence forgotten. Despite the speculation, one thing remains clear: an Astartes presence has stood watch over the Veil of Calyx for the past ten millennia. Fragmented records recovered from the edges of the region tell of a shadowy force of Space Marines defending humanity's farthest-flung colonies as far back as the Great Crusade. Whether these warriors were the Auric Heralds or an earlier progenitor force remains a mystery, known only to the Chapter's shadowy inner circle. The Auric Heralds themselves remain tight-lipped about their heritage, perhaps protecting a secret too dangerous to share or simply adhering to an ancient vow of silence. Whatever the truth, their actions speak louder than words, for they have stood resolute as guardians of the Veil for longer than many can remember, their loyalty to the Imperium unquestionable, even if their origins are not. 

 

 

Homeworld

Despite its cold and unforgiving environment, Hesperon Magnus stands as the civilized jewel of the Veil of Calyx. The planet is a stark, icy world dominated by sprawling hive cities nestled amidst towering, snow-capped mountains and frozen plateaus. Beneath its glacial surface lies a vibrant and industrious heart that sustains the Auric Heralds’ campaigns and the wider Imperium’s efforts in this distant frontier. The harsh environment of Hesperon Magnus serves as a crucible for those who aspire to join the ranks of the Adeptus Astartes. The pilgrimage to the Citadel of Angels, the Auric Heralds fortress monastery perched high in the mountains, is the first and most brutal test for potential recruits. The treacherous journey takes aspirants through miles of frozen wasteland, where biting winds and ferocious icestorms carve the weak from the strong. The remains of young men, frozen in place like statues, litter the path, grim reminders of the cost of failure. Only the most determined and resourceful survive to reach the monastery gates. Above the planet’s icy surface, orbiting spaceports provide shelter from the planet’s unrelenting climate. These bustling hubs act as conduits for the vast quantities of raw materials extracted from Hesperon Magnus and its sister worlds, feeding the manufactoria of the hive cities below. These cities, despite the inhospitable conditions, are beacons of civilization and production in the Veil, forging weapons, munitions, and machinery critical to the defense of humanity. Hesperon Magnus is also the home and heart of the renowned Hesperon Fusiliers, regiments of the Astra Militarum drawn from the system’s worlds. These stalwart soldiers are famed for their loyalty and skill, earning a reputation as some of the most disciplined and effective Guardsmen within the Veil. Often fighting alongside the Auric Heralds, the Fusiliers also bear the honor of satisfying the Adeptus Administratum’s tithes, offering entire regiments to support Imperial campaigns across the galaxy. It is said that where the Emperor’s light falters, you will often find a Hesperon Fusilier holding the line.

 

 

Organisation

The Auric Heralds deviate significantly from the Codex Astartes in their organizational structure, though they maintain the outward appearance of adherence to its prescribed limit of 1,000 battle-ready Astartes. In practice, the Chapter fields three primary Cohorts, each comprising three Centuries of approximately 100 warriors. An additional 10th Century operates independently as a garrison force, tasked with the defense of the Hesperon system and the maintenance of its strategic stability. Each Century is commanded by a Centurion, who bears responsibility for the warriors under their command. Centurions report to the Legate of their respective Cohort, a senior leader who shapes the tactical and strategic direction of their forces. At the apex of the Chapter’s hierarchy stands the Lord Commander, who serves as the Auric Heralds’ Chapter Master and overall leader. This layered command structure ensures flexibility and adaptability, allowing the Chapter to rapidly respond to threats across the Veil of Calyx. The Auric Heralds emphasize adaptability in their squad specializations, leaving these decisions to the discretion of individual Centurions and their Legates. This results in Cohorts with varying compositions of assault, tactical, and devastator squads, tailored to the preferences and strategies of their leaders. The lack of rigid conformity enables the Chapter to adjust its forces dynamically, responding to the ever-shifting challenges of warfare in the Veil. At the heart of the Chapter’s elite forces are the Evocati, veterans handpicked by the Lord Commander and the Marshal of the Creed, the First Chaplain. These warriors embody the finest qualities of the Auric Heralds and serve as an elite cadre, seconded to different Centuries to lead veteran squads. The number of Evocati is unkown, fluctuating based on the needs and situation of the Chapter.

 

 

Evocati

The Evocati are the Auric Heralds elite veteran warriors, handpicked by the Lord Commander and the Marshal of the Creed, the First Chaplain. They represent the pinnacle of the Chapter’s martial prowess and spiritual resilience, a brotherhood of unparalleled skill and unwavering devotion. Members of the Evocati often serve as leaders within the Centuries, seconded to command veteran squads or undertake critical missions. Entire squads of Evocati are sometimes deployed for tasks of immense importance, their mere presence tipping the balance of battle. Despite their prominence, the exact number of Evocati remains a mystery, their ranks fluctuating according to the Chapter’s needs. The rites and rituals required to ascend to the ranks of the Evocati are among the most closely guarded secrets of the Auric Heralds. Rumors persist that a form of memory transference is part of the process, a practice that may grant these veterans knowledge and experiences from their Chapter’s ancient past. Those who knew a Spacemarine prior to their elevation often find them distant, their personalities subtly altered. Strangely, old comrades can sometimes recount events and battles from centuries ago as if they themselves had been present, leading to unsettling speculation about the true nature of the Evocati’s transformation. The Evocati are infamous for their intense hatred of Chaos Space Marines. This animosity reaches a fever pitch when faced with warriors in the service of Slaanesh, a foe that provokes uncontrollable rage in the Evocati. On such occasions, these veterans have been known to abandon carefully prepared defensive positions, charging headlong into melee combat to annihilate their enemies. Their fury in such battles is terrifying, often resulting in the utter destruction of their foe but at great risk to their own lives. Two ranks within the Auric Heralds are exclusively reserved for the Evocati: the Lord Commander and the Marshal of the Creed. While other command positions do not explicitly require membership in this brotherhood, many high ranking officers are drawn from their elite ranks, as the Evocati embody the Chapter’s finest qualities. The Evocati are afforded the honour of guarding the Hall of Ancients, a small yet impregnable fortress on the fourth moon of Korvalis, a dead planet on the edge of the Veil of Calyx. This sacred site houses some of the Chapter’s most venerable relics and ancient knowledge, although the importance of this location is often lost on those who have not been elevated to the esteemed ranks of the Evocati.

[Captain Titus]

Any Feedback is most welcome.

To Do List:

• Chapter History
• Combat Doctrine
• Chapter Beliefs
• Notable Characters
• Actually Paint a Mini

Edited November 21 by Captain Titus
forgot to add comment on feedback being welcome

[Len Fork]

Very solid foundations I'd say! I really like the inclusion of a guard regiment in your homeworld section. It does a lot to add to the believability of the picture you're painting!

 

I'm very interested to see what you'll do with the chapter's history! A chapter that's vague in it's origins should have some special attention given to it's historical timeline I think.

 

I'm also incredibly interested to see what you come up with for the chapter's beliefs. An isolated and old chapter like this would be prone to having some unique cultural or religious practices, so I'm looking forward to finding out what you have in mind!

 

Great start brother!