Index Astartes: Loxodon Guard

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The Loxodon Guard

 

Founding Chapter: Unknown 

Founding: Ultima Founding

Chapter Master: Saldom “Iron Hide” Veer

Homeworld: Selesnya 

Fortress-Monastery: Tuskhold

Colours: Green and White

 

Homeworld

The Loxodon Guard hail from the planet of Selesnya, a feral world in the Greygar Sub-Sector. The planet is known for its vast plains, verdant forests and megafauna. The world was selected by Belisarius Cawl due to the high quality of human stock to draw from. There are 20 tribes on Selesnya. Every 5 years the tribes gather to participate in an athletic competition called the Prima Altus , where the children between the ages 10-15 compete. The top 50 of the child competitors are then sent to Tuskhold, the fortress monastery of the Loxodon Guard. This is where the chapter's apothecaries review the children for induction into the chapter.

Overview

The Loxodon Guard were created during the Ultima Founding by Arch Archmagos Dominus Cawl. Although it is unknown what gene seed he used to make the chapter. The main task of the chapter is to help bolster the Cordon Impenetra, patrolling the Greygar Sub-Sector. The most notable engagement that the Loxodon Guard have partaken in is the Demagmar Strife.

Members of the Loxodon Guard tend to value experience and acumen. Commanding officers tend to be the longest serving in their squads. Fortitude is also valued highly. They also tend to be slow to anger but unstoppable once provoked. Chapter brothers tend to address each by honorifics and nicknames rather than their given names. It is a largely codex compliant chapter, consisting of 1000 battle brothers.The usual 8th close support is replaced with an additional fire support company and the 9th company is a Mixed Support Company consisting of both fire and close support squads. Another odd trait is that the chapter lacks Grav-chutes or jump packs within the force. The reasoning behind this is one of superstition, battle brothers believe that such devices are bad luck and that power can be pulled from the planet spirit if you have two feet on its surface.

In combat, the Loxodon Guard tends to use a defensive approach to battle. In a maneuver called "The Anvil and the Tusk”, The Loxodon Guard waits for the enemy to over-commit before launching a devastating counterattack. Using Eliminator Squads to snipe out the leadership of the foe to send them into a panic, while intercessors and hellblaster units are used to pin down enemy squads. Blade Guard Veterans squads known as “Ivory Wardens” are often deployed to counter attack foes that charge the lines and Redemptor class dreadnoughts are used for fire support and to destroy  heavy targets.

Chapter Organization

The Loxodon Guard organize themselves into companies like a standard Primaris Marine chapter with a few exceptions. First, each group is called an Echelon and there are 10 echelons.

Armoury: The Loxodon Guard have a substantial armoury. The chapter hosts around 40 techmarines and has a close working relationship with the Forge World Azorius. Each echelon is given 5 Primaris Dreadnoughts which are usually referred to as Titan Brothers. The oldest dreadnought is referred to as the Titan Father.

Librarius: The Loxodon Guard has a relatively small Librarium. The inhabitants of Selesnya have a relatively low rate of psykers in their population. The entire Librarius only has 12 members.

Apothecarion: The Loxodon Guard hosts around 30 apothecaries and is responsible for screening the new recruits for induction into the chapter after the Prima Altus.

Reclusiam: The Reclusiam of the Loxodon Guard is similar to most other chapters. The Chaplains are usually the ones that assign the honorifics to the battle brothers.

1st Echelon: "The Ivory Wardens": The 1st echelon like with most space marine chapters is the veteran battle group. The company is made up 10 squads of Bladeguard Veterans, a Captain, 2 Lieutenants, a Company Ancient and Company Champion  

2nd Echelon: “The Bulwark of Iron”:  the 2nd echelon is the 2nd most veteran Echelon. The company consists of 6 Intercessor squads, 2 hellblaster squads, 2 Infernus Squad,  a Captain, 2 Lieutenants, a Company Ancient and Company Champion.    

3rd Echelon: “The Void Stalkers”: The 3rd echelon is the boarding action specialist force of the Loxodon Guard. The company consists of 6 Intercessor squads, 2 Aggressors Squads, 2 Assault Intercessors,  a Captain, 2 Lieutenants, a Company Ancient and Company Champion.     

4th Echelon: “The Sentinels of Selesnya”: The 4th echelon is the heavy infantry specialist force. The company consists of 6 Heavy Intercessor squads, 2 Eradicator Squads, 2 Aggressors Squads, a Captain, 2 Lieutenants, a Company Ancient and Company Champion.         

5th Echelon: “The Golden Tusks”: The 5th echelon tends to have the most outriders and are the rapid response force of the Loxodon Guard. They consist of  6 Intercessor squads, 2 Outrider squads with Invader ATVs, 2 Desolation Squads, a Captain, 2 Lieutenants, a Company Ancient and Company Champion.    

6th Echelon: “The Paladins”: The 6th echelon is the battle line reserve company. They consist of  10 Intercessor squads, a Captain, 2 Lieutenants, a Company Ancient and Company Champion   

7th Echelon: “The Sons of the Phalanx”: The 7th echelon is the battle line reserve company. They consist of 10 Intercessor squads, a Captain, 2 Lieutenants, a Company Ancient and Company Champion 

8th Echelon: “The Thunderers”: The 8th echelon is a Fire Support company that usually deals with long range weaponry. The 8th echelon contains 5 Desolation Squads, 5 Hellblaster Squads,  a Captain, 2 Lieutenants, a Company Ancient and Company Champion   

9th Echelon: “The Stormhelms”:The 9th echelon is a Mixed Support company that usually deals with short range weaponry.  The 9th echelon contains 2 Aggressors Squads, 2 Eradicator Squads,  2 Infernus Squad, 4 Assault Intercessors, a Captain, 2 Lieutenants, a Company Ancient and Company Champion.    

10th Echelon “The Hidden Blades”: The 10th echelon is the Vanguard company. The 10th echelon has 3 Infiltrator squads, 3 Incursor Squads, 4 Eliminator squads, a Captain, 2 Lieutenants, a Company Ancient and Company Champion.  

Chapter Fleet

Battle Barge-Shield of Endurance

Battle Barge-Stainless Honour

7 Strike Cruisers

21 Escort Vessels  

Chapter Relics

Mammoth’s Mantle - A suit Saturnine Terminator Armour recovered by the Loxodon Guard and worn by the Chapter Master Saldom “Iron Hide” Veer. The mantle was discovered intact on a Space Hulk adrift in the Greygar Sub-Sector. The armor bore colours unfamiliar to Loxodon techmarines but the armour was fully functional. It was then repainted and given to the Chapter Master.

Galactic Maul - A Saturnine concussion hammer recovered by the Loxodon Guard and used by the Chapter Master Saldom “Iron Hide” Veer. The maul was discovered along with the Mammoth’s Mantle on a Space Hulk adrift in the Greygar Sub-Sector.           

 

Notable Members

Saldom “Iron Hide” Veer - Chapter Master

Aegod "Steel Wolf" Omeal - Captain of the 2nd Company

Soonrem “True Heart”  Thron - Apothecary

Val”Swift Strike” Zondoros - 1st Lieutenant of the 2nd Company

Greto “Firemane” Tetus - 2nd Lieutenant of the 2nd Company

Drom “Sabretooth”Hel - Master of Sanctity

Kaj “Slegehammer” Ordon - Redemptor Dreadnought