Dark Crusaders

[Brother-Captain Godwin]

Couldn't find anything on this chapter aside from the name and paint scheme. So I'm claiming it.

 

General Information:

 

Name: Dark Crusaders

 

Geneseed: Imperial Fists

 

Founding: Around 854.M41 (need a founding date close to this period)

 

Chapter Badge: Argent a cross sable

http://img400.imageshack.us/img400/7992/dcemblem0at.png

 

Livery: Black with red aquila/bolter casing

http://img400.imageshack.us/img400/246/depaintscheme7cu.png

 

History: Founded by order of the Lords of Terra to reinforce Ultima Segmentum in the wake of Hive Fleet Behemoth. Chapter is heavily influenced by the Black Templars chapter and has much in common with them, such as hiearchy (Dark Crusader Captains are referred to as Marshals, the Chapter Master being the Grand Marshal), lack of a permanent base of operations, lack of respect for the Inquisition and also a similar thirst for conquest in the name of the Emperor.

 

Like the Black Templars the Dark Crusaders also favour melee combat however instead of equipping rank-and-file Marines with close combat weapons as the Templars are wont to do, the Crusaders instead teach the art of firing their bolters single-handed using the pistol grip. This allows them to maximise their ranged firepower while still being able to maintain melee proficiency.

 

Plasma weapons are the preferred specialist weapon in the chapter, with missile launchers being the preferred heavy weapon. Dark Crusaders emphasize the importance of flexibility and anything that is possessed of only a single role (despite how proficient it is at that role) is considered useless and frivolous.

 

As such, Dark Crusader forces rarely employ tanks or transports and instead rely on steady infantry advances with sustained covering fire. Dark Crusaders from the First Company in Tactical Dreadnought Armor often spearhead such advances.

 

The Dark Crusaders are adverse to guerilla, hit-and-run and other stealth tactics, viewing them as cowardly. To a Dark Crusader, a true warrior meets his opponent face-to-face with his bolter in hand, a prayer on his lips and fire in his belly. Dark Crusader forces therefore do not field bikes and the company does not maintain a 10th Company of Scouts.

 

The current Grand Marshal of the Dark Crusaders is Grand Marshal Orlando Eldridge. His other officers are as follows:

 

1st Company (Veterans) - Marshal Roland

 

2nd Company (Tactical) - Marshal Byron, Commander of the Watch

 

3nd Company (Tactical) - Marshal Manfrid, Master of the Marches

 

4nd Company (Tactical) - Marshal Aubrey

 

5nd Company (Tactical) - Marshal Philibert

 

6nd Company (Tactical) - Marshal Medwyn, Chief of Recruits

 

7nd Company (Assault) - Marshal Siegfried, Commander of the Fleet

 

8nd Company (Assault) - Marshal Armon

 

9nd Company (Devastator) - Marshal Wolfram, Commander of the Arsenal

 

10nd Company (Devastator) - Marshal Brantley

 

Fleet Command:

As a spaceborne crusade chapter, the Dark Crusaders have a very powerful naval presence, almost double of what most chapters deem necessary for their operations.

16 Strike Cruisers

3 Battle Barges - Piety, Prayer, Devotion,

24 Rapid Strike vessels,

54 Thunderhawks,

1 Modified Battle Barge, Fury, seat of the Grand Marshal

[Severus6]

This Chapter was seen in WD a while back (cannot remember the issue) and if I remember right they were described as a strict Codex Chapter. I could be wrong though. Two things catch my eye on this;

 

1. His son is his standard bearer,...this is highly unlikely as Marine initiates are taken as children, long before they are able to have families. Granted some are taken at a later age, 12-14 but still this is unlikely. Now if you said this was a adopted son or that he treats the bearer of his colors in a fatherly manner, I can buy that.

 

2. I dont believe that SM Chapters get Imperial Class Warships as they have their own class of starships and do not require an Emperor Class Battleship especially with everything else you say you have.

 

Severus6

[Zhivago]

History: Founded by order of the Lords of Terra to counteract xenos expansion, most notably those of the Tau and Tyranid races, respectively. Chapter is heavily influenced by the Black Templars chapter and has much in common with them, such as hiearchy (Dark Crusader Captains are referred to as Marshals, the Chapter Master being the Grand Marshal), lack of a permanent base of operations, respect for the Inquisition and also a similar thirst for conquest in the name of the Emperor.

 

Also, Tau are very recent race as are Tyranids... I think first nids have been discovered less than 1000 years ago. So founding chapter to fight theese threats would be much later than 11th. And as far as I know Tau was discovered AFTER most recent 26th founding.

[Brother-Captain Godwin]

Thank you for the criticism and advice, I am not up to scratch on my SM history. Changes made above.