Question about Raptor Imperialis

[Lautrec the Embraced]

I've failed to find meaningful information on the web about how does one qualify for the Raptor Imperialis mark (eagle's head). I'd be much obliged if you could enlighten me.

As I understand, it used to be a symbol of the Big E in Unification, but later it became an honour badge for those that had fought "alongside the Emperor".

So, uhm, what does alongside mean exactly? In visual contact to him? The same battlefield? On the same planet during the Great Crusade? Metaphorically alongside? What are the criteria?

I intend to start a new, loyalist army of blackshields and am unsure how many Raptor marks should I allot and to whom. Very few, only for Unification/Terran veterans? - or treat it as a mark of allegiance and give it to every other guy? Maybe some variation or other marks (lightning bolts?) could signify ...something...?

Edited yesterday at 10:31 PM by Lautrec the Embraced

[lokkorex]

Great question!

I'd only use it for less than a handful of models in an army if it's set during the heresy, since the emperor hadn't been leading the great crusade for a long time and the attrition rates of astartes is quite high, plus it's not like he lead every expedition fleet at the same.

I'd imagine it would only be allowed to be worn by those under his direct command in any campaign, so I guess planetside at the same time as him? I cannot fathom any reserves who didn't see any action would be granted the honour.

[Agramar_The_Luna_Wolf]

Well, this varies from edition to edition. The most acceptable version it's that first was a Thunder Warriors icon,later adopted by the genetically-enhanced regiments of the Excertus Imperialis and the early Terran-born Legiones Astartes,and in the end by those Imperial troops who had personally fought alongside the Emperor(That can be meant under his direct command,or just in the same battlefield/campaign under the Emperor's overall command. Both are valid)

 

Also, we have this:

"By the latter years of the Great Crusade, this honour was usually found only amongst the more senior Terran Astartes of the Space Marine Legions who had seen significant action during the final campaigns of the Wars of Unification."

The case of Sigismund of the Imperial Fists,for example.

The Space Wolves Consul-Opsequiari disciplinary officers wore the Raptor Imperialis on their armor as symbol of their authority,or just because they were Terran born veterans.

 

https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Raptor_Imperialis

 

https://warhammer40k.fandom.com/wiki/Raptor_Imperialis

 

[Lautrec the Embraced]

48 minutes ago, Agramar_The_Luna_Wolf said:

The case of Sigismund of the Imperial Fists,for example.

I read that passage and found it rather peculiar. Sigismund is surely on the 'high-end' of the recipients, very specific for something that surely was much more prevalent at one point during earlier days (we have quite a few of them on the transfer sheet after all). Perhaps he was among the last ones alive to still carry this mark?

 

5 hours ago, lokkorex said:

I'd imagine it would only be allowed to be worn by those under his direct command in any campaign, so I guess planetside at the same time as him?

I like this interpretation. So a lot of marines (in some given task force led by the Emperor at that time) could earn it during these early days, but majority would die off and soon it'd really be quite an honour to brag about in later years. 

 

[W.A.Rorie]

Also it would depend on your army too. Lots more Imperial Fists would have the Raptors Imperialis then the Ultramarines.

 

For my Raven Guard, I use the Raptor Imperialis to signify that they are Terran born so are disliked by Corax.