User:Tealwisp/Space Marine Chapters

This is a list of known canonical Space Marine Chapters from the fictional Warhammer 40,000 universe.

This list includes those chapters which are mentioned in an official Games Workshop rulebook or codex, and includes Chapters that turned to Chaos after the Second Founding.

This list does not include fan-made Chapters, Golden Demon winners, Chapters for which only the name and colour scheme is known or (in general) Chapters mentioned only in White Dwarf. Template:CompactTOC2

A

Angels Encarmine

A Second Founding chapter of the Blood Angels. They participated in the effort to reclaim the Crimson Fists' homeworld from the Orks. Their power armour is painted red, with black trim and a black backpack. The Chapter symbol is a bat-winged drop of blood.

Angels Porphyr

The Angels Porphyr Chapter was founded in the 31st millennium. Their power armour is halved blue and white, with pad trims matching the pad. The Chapter symbol is the profile of a winged skull, and other skull icons are often incorporated into their armour. The Chapter participated in the Third War for Armageddon.

The Chapter appears almost identical to the 'Eagle Warriors' chapter, the only differences being the chapter badge (Eagle Warriors simply have a blue wing). This leads many to believe the Angels Porphyr and Eagle Warriors to be the same chapter, however, both chapters appear in How To Paint Space Marines.

According to Insignium Astartes the Eagle Warriors denote company by the colour of the left kneepad, it would seem from How To Paint Space Marines that the Angels Porphyr denote company by the colour of the right kneepad.

Angels Sanguine

A Second Founding chapter of the Blood Angels. Their power armour is halved red and black. The Chapter's symbol is a winged skull. Librarian Ashok from the novels Warrior Brood (Goto, 2005) and Warrior Coven (Goto, 2006) is a member of the Angels Sanguine chapter, and he wears the Shroud of Lemartes, to stave off the Red Thirst. He also is unique in the aspect that he is one of the few Space Marines to dislike his armour, and senses that its machine spirit is not fond of him either.

The Chapter is listed as serving during the fictional events surrounding the Eye of Terror worldwide campaign.

References

• Goto, Cassern (2005). Warrior Brood. Nottingham: Black Library. ISBN 1-84416-234-6.
• Goto, Cassern (2006). Warrior Coven. Nottingham: Black Library. ISBN 1-84416-365-2.

Angels Vermillion

A Second Founding chapter of the Blood Angels. The Chapter wears dark red power armour. The Chapter's symbol is a winged blood drop, with a small skull at the base of the drop.

Angels of Absolution

A Second Founding chapter of the Dark Angels. The power armour of the Angels of Absolution is painted bone-white, and the Chapter's symbol is a skull superimposed over a stylised wing.

The entire Chapter is listed as serving during the 13th Black Crusade

Angels of Fire

A chapter founded during the 36th millennium. The Angels of Fire wear red power armour, decorated with stylised orange flames. They participated in the Third War for Armageddon.

Angels of Flame

Turned Renegade during an extended recon

References

• (2007) Chaos Space Marines Codex

Angels of Redemption

A Second Founding chapter of the Dark Angels. The Chapter's power armour is halved bone-white and dark green, and the Chapter's symbol is a winged skull. They participated in the Third War for Armageddon.

Angels of Vengeance

A Second Founding chapter of the Dark Angels. The power armour worn by this chapter is black, and the Chapter's symbol is a white winged skull. An inverted red V rests over the skull; a stylised hood.

Angels of Vigilance

The Angels of Vigilance wear yellow power armour (including trims) with a black chest eagle. The Chapter's symbol is a winged, flame-filled crucible. Marines from the Chapter were listed as serving during the fictional events linked to the Eye of Terror and Armageddon worldwide campaigns.

The Armageddon Index Astartes article art puts the chapter as a being founded sometime during the 40th millennium (which would most likely be 25th Founding), however the only written fluff for the chapter (from the Armageddon site) says, "It is suspected that the Chapter came into existence during the Second Founding, but it is unknown from which Legion their gene-seed originates."

Astral Claws

The Astral Claws were created during the 35th millennium to guard against the numerous threats emerging from the Maelstrom.

The chapter was led into Chaos by their traitorous Chapter Master Lufgt Huron (thereafter known as Huron Blackheart), igniting the Badab War. They currently form a group of rebel Marines known as the Red Corsairs, who ruthlessly attack supply lines and follow Chaos Undivided. In the war they nearly succeeded in turning the Mantis Warriors to Chaos with them. Since becoming followers of Chaos, the rebel Chapter is known to habour fugitive Marines who have abandoned the Imperium and turned to Chaos, although they are very few.

In the Warhammer 40,000 background, the chapter was originally called the Tiger Claws, although Games Workshop no longer refer to this name.

Aurora Chapter

The Aurora Chapter is descended from Ultramarines gene-seed. The Chapter's symbol is a black, lower case alpha inside a white, twelve-pointed star. The Chapter's power armour is painted dark green, with trim in the company colour.

Sources conflict concerning the time of this Chapter's founding; while some claim the Aurora Chapter to be one of the Ultramarines' Second Founding Chapters, others place the date of their foundation as much later. They are mentioned in Dan Abnett's "Eisenhorn" omnibus as having saved an Inquisitor from a Daemonhost after it slew the Inquisitor's entire retinue.

Avenging Sons

A 19th Founding chapter from the world of Trækonnis Major. They wear navy blue power armour, and their symbol is a stylised white cross. A white diagonal stripe with a Roman numeral in the centre denotes the company. A strike force of Avenging Sons fought in the war on Taros. During the attempted liberation of Antillis IV, the entire Second Company, led by Commander Selleus, was wiped out save for a single scout that escaped the planet in a Thunderhawk gunship with a large portion of the company's geneseed as described in the short story, Apothecary's Honour by Simon Jowett.

B

Black Consuls

A Second Founding chapter of the Ultramarines. The Chapter's powered armour is black with trim in the company colour. The symbol of the Black Consuls is a white eagle's head.

Black Dragons

The Black Dragons were one of the Space Marine Chapters created during the Cursed 21st Founding. They are censured by the Inquisition due to mutation of the Chapter's gene-seed, which causes certain marines to develop blade-like outgrowths of bone on the head and forearms. Black Dragons afflicted in this way, sharpen these bone growths and sheath them in adamantium for use in close combat. They are then grouped together into specialist jump-pack equipped assault squads known as Dragon Claws.

The reason behind this unnusual mutation is that the chapter's stock of Ossmodula's, one of the 19 extra organs that space marines receive during their initiation process, is genetically unstable. This small organ has a complex function within the body of a Space Marine. It monitors and secretes hormones affecting epiphiseal fusion and ossification of the skeleton while at the same time, engineered hormones encourage the forming bones to absorb ceramic based chemicals administered in the Marines diet. Two years following implantation, the long-bones will have strengthened considerably and there will have been a general increase in the size of the recipient's skeleton. Extreme ossification of the chest cavity caused by growth of ribs forming a solid mass of inter-laced bone plates provides a Space Marine with an armoured layer to protect his secondary heart and lungs.

But the Ossmodula zygote of the Black Dragons functions in an abnormal way causing the growth of bony crests on the head, and blade-like protuberances from the forearm and elbow. Like the Death Company of the Blood Angels, warriors inflicted with such abnormal developments are formed into a separate fighting unit. Known as the Dragon Claws, they sharpen these additional protrusions to a killing edge, and sheath them in adamantium to turn them into deadly close combat weapons. This strains the tolerance of the Inquisition and there are many recorded instances of other Space Marines Chapters (notably the Dark Angels and Marines Malevolent) refusing to fight alongside them.

It is even rumoured that the Black Dragon Apothecaries deliberately encourage such growths, even going so far as to knowingly implant aberrant zygotes into some initiates. This is exceptionally dangerous, and the practice is forbidden by Imperial edict, but old traditions die hard as the ferocity of the Dragon Claws is much valued by the Chapter Masters.

The Black Dragons suffered heavily during the Third War for Armageddon and suspect Inquisition meddling, although this cannot be proven. Their losses have been so grievous that the Chapter itself is in danger of extinction. Nevertheless, the Chapter remains loyal to the Imperium, and is prepared to fight to the last man no matter the forces arrayed against them.

The Black Dragons wear black power armour, with white chest eagle and shoulder guard markings. Their chapter symbol is a white dragon on a black background, and dragons are often incorporated into their armour and weapons.

sources taken and quoted from the games worshop website

Black Guard

A Second Founding chapter of the Raven Guard Their armour scheme consists of black armour, snot green trim on their shoulder pads purple greaves with copper bracers. Their army badge is a white spartan helmet set on a black relief.

Black Templars

Main article: Black Templars

Blood Angels

Main article: Blood Angels

Blood Drinkers

A Second Founding chapter of the Blood Angels. Unlike the other Blood Angels Successor Chapters, the Blood Drinkers are strict followers of the Codex Astartes. The Chapter participated in the effort to reclaim the Crimson Fists' homeworld from the Orks. The Chapter's armour is painted red, with yellow trim. The Chapter's symbol is a drop of blood above a chalice.

The name "Blood Drinkers" comes from the Chapter's craving for blood, the result of a mutated omophagea gene-seed.

Blood Ravens

Main article: Blood Ravens

Brazen Claws

A Second Founding chapter of the Iron Hands. They participated in the defence against the Thirteenth Black Crusade. The Chapter's powered armour is painted in a quartered blue and red pattern. The Chapter's symbol is the depiction of red claws or talons.

Brotherhood of a Thousand

A later-founding chapter of unknown origin. The Brotherhood follow the Codex Astartes and are loyal to the Imperium of Man. Their armour is painted a bluish grey with the trim on the shoulder pads painted a different colour for each company. Their chapter symbol is a black "M" on a slightly undersized white circle, the M representing the number one thousand. In Rogue Trader days this symbol was the symbol of the Thousand Sons traitor Legion, but this seems to have been ignored since their appearance in Insignium Astartes.

Brotherhood of Ultramar

A second founding chapter of the Ultramarines.. They follow the codex in most aspects except in the fields of stealth and shock in which they excel; this is due to the chapter carrying out it's recruitment amongst the warrior peoples of a feral world that is in perpetual twilight, where stealth and shock tactics are the only way to survive more than one battle. All space marines in the chapter are described as being of pale complexion, with dark brown eyes and hair; this has been attributed to the unique conditions of their homeworld, though most shave off all their hair (some of the Brotherhood wear it in an elaborate top-knot). The armour is entirely black with the trims on the shoulder pads painted gold as such numbers on power armour are used as visual recognition for each company within the chapter. Their chapter symbol is identical to that of the Ultramarines., as they are immensely proud of having descended from this legendary chapter.

C

Celebrants

A Chapter founded during the 36th millennium. The entire chapter participated in the Third War for Armageddon. Their armour starts with yellow lower legs then seamlessly blends to orange for the mid body and then red for the upper body/helmet/arms; the chapter badge is a winged five-pointed star.

Celestial Lions

The Celestial Lions were founded during the 38th millennium. Their Home World is Elysium IX. Their armour is primarily gold, with blue shoulderpads and helmet. The chapter symbol is a roaring lion's head, and lion decorations are often incorporated into their armour. The Celestial Lions participated in the Third War for Armageddon, and were almost completely annihilated due to Inquisition treachery.

Children of Purgatos

A chapter that went excommunicate, their primary colour is emerald green highlighted with gold and they decorate their armour with images of flames. Chapter badge is a large, gold-coloured flame emblem.

The Consecrators

A Dark Angels Successor Chapter. Almost entirely absent from Imperial records, it was first recorded in the 3rd century of the 40th millennium. Noted for bearing all manner of holy relics, and ancient patterns, of arms, armour and vehicles.

The Consecrators are essentially the original Rogue Trader Dark Angels; black instead of dark green, and shown in the more early "beaked" style of power armour, with a red stripe down the centre of the helmet. Their chapter symbol is a variation of the Dark Angels symbol: a winged flame topped by a halo.

Crimson Fists

Main article: Crimson Fists

D

Damned Company of Lord Caustos

A group of Space Marines that turned to the Chaos gods after they were declared traitor by an Inquisitor of the Ordo Hereticus, based on some flimsy and circumstantial evidence. They only turned to chaos to survive in a galaxy hostile to them, they now live their lives as mercenaries.

Their armour is primarily grey/purple, with gold decoration. Their chapter's symbol is yet to be seen.

Dark Angels

Main article: Dark Angels (Warhammer 40,000)

Dark Hands

A chapter that fought the Hrud at Chinchare. The Chapter's armour is painted dull green, and the Chapter symbol is of an outstretched black hand facing the viewer as if in a halt gesture. The gloves are also painted black.

Death Eagles

A later founding Codex Chapter of unknown gene-seed origin. The Chapter's armour is all black (including trim), with the exception of the shoulder pads (white with black trim), and helmet and chest eagle (both bone). The chapter badge is an eagle's skull with black wings.

Death Spectres

The Death Spectres are a chapter of Space Marines that participated in the Siege of Lelithar and the defence of the Cadian sector against the 13th Black Crusade. During the Black Crusade, the Death Spectres adopted a fluid style of combat, using jump pack equipped troops to quickly capitalise on any gains made by the Imperial Guard.

Their armour is black (including trim), with the exception of the left shoulderpad (white with black trim) and helmet and chest eagle (both bone). The chapter badge is a pair of black scythes located behind a skull.

All members of the Death Spectres are albinos.

Death Strike

Wearing light blue armour with a yellow winged lightning bolt as a chapter badge, the Death Strike Chapter participated in the Assault on Moros and acted as the rearguard during the Verdan II Extraction.

Deathwatch

Like the other Ordos of the Inquisition, the Ordo Xenos have their own Space Marine Chapter- the Deathwatch. Across the galaxy there are alien civilisations that threaten mankind. From the monstrous Tyranids, to the spectre like Necron and their C'tan masters. It is the sacred task of the Deathwatch to stand sentry over these prehistoric races. ready to act should such ancient evils ever rise against mankind once more. The Deathwatch form the first, and often only line of defense against these inhuman horrors. Unusually for a Space Marine Chapter, the Deathwatch are drawn from many different Chapters, who swore ancient oaths in centuries past to maintain a force of specially trained alien hunters, who stand ready to respond to a call to arms. The marines generally serve with the Deathwatch for a number of years before returning to their chapters, taking their knowledge, as well as supplies of specialist anti-alien weaponry with them. The marines who join the Deathwatch paint their armour black, and replace the left shoulder guard with the Deathwatch chapter symbol (the Inquisitorial I with a skull in its centre superimposed over lines of text) and the whole of the left arm and shoulder guard are painted silver. In respect of the spirit of the armour, the right shoulder guard is left in the colours of the marine's original chapter, and is often painted with his chapter's symbol. It is not unusual for marines from several different chapters to work together as part of a xenos hunting unit under the command of a Captain or Librarian.

Main article: Deathwatch

Destroyers

A Second Founding chapter of the White Scars. Their armour is acid yellow with a red chevron pattern down the arms. Their symbol is two crossed lightning bolts.

Disciples of Caliban

A Dark Angels Successor chapter. Believed to have been formed under unusual circumstances, when the then-Dark Angels Chapter Master Anaziel made a request for a Chapter to be raised to the High Lords of Terra. Such a request was, and is, unheard of, and much debate followed before Anaziel's request was granted. It is rumoured that the Chapter was formed a very specific task - the capture of the Fallen known as Cypher.

Doom Eagles

At a basic level, all Doom Eagles accept that they are already dead. This is the root of their courage, their unshakeable determination to face the greatest odds. As such the men of this Chapter are almost impossible to deter, but they are dour, grim and depressive, albeit staunchly loyal to the Imperium.

At least five Companies of the Doom Eagles are known to exist, which participated in the defence of the Cadian Sector during the Thirteenth Black Crusade of Abaddon the Despoiler.

Doom Eagles armour is primarily silver, with red decoration. The chapter's symbol is a stylised eagle, with a human skull replacing the eagle's head.

The Doom Eagles also featured in Dan Abnett's short story "Pestilence".

E

Eagle Warriors

A Progenitor chapter from the Ultramarines Legion, the Eagle Warriors wear a halved uniform of blue and white and display individual company colours on the left kneepad. The Chapter badge consists of a blue wing and roundel. Weapons and equipment are usually detailed in red. They participated in the Balur Secundus Strike Force.

Emperor's Hawks

This Chapter has red armour, with a yellow trim on the shoulder pads. Their chapter symbol is a single wing. The Hawks specialise in jump pack-assisted assaults, followed by squadron-strength units of Landspeeders.

Emperor's Swords

This chapter was decimated by the Alpha legion Traitor Space marines after 300 years of infiltration and subversion by the Alpha Legion. It is unclear if there are any loyalist survivors but several members who were 'conditioned' by the Alpha Legion prior to their recruitment by the Emperor's Swords have gone on to lead their own bands of renegades some under the colours of the Alpha Legion themselves.

References

Chaos Codex 2007, page 21

Emperor's Warbringers

This Chapter has a grey-green uniform, with crossed swords as its badge. They are not averse to using camouflage on their vehicles.

Emperors Wolves

A space marine chapter whose gene seed contains the wolf gene similar to the one that afflicts the Space Wolves. The Emperors Wolves lost their eighth company in the warp.

References

• (2007) Chaos Space Marines Codex, p69 under The Blood Disciples

Excoriators

One of the chapters founded to make up the Astartes Praeses, twenty chapters assigned to guard the regions surrounding the Eye of Terror. Their chapter is a stout Codex one. Their armour is white with silver gauntlets and trim, and their symbol is a flaming, double-headed axe.

Executioners

One of four chapters that rebelled during the Badab Uprising. The Chapter was believed to have found itself on the wrong side through little fault of its own, and was permitted to continue in its service to the Imperium. The Chapter's power armour is painted in a blue and grey camouflage pattern, with the exception of a single shoulderpad which is painted green for tactical squads, yellow for assault squads, purple/blue for devastator squads or red for recon squads. The symbol of the Executioners is an axe on a red background.

Exorcists

The Exorcists were founded during the 36th millennium, some time before the Age of Apostasy. They were created through secret Inquisition experiments in which test subjects were deliberately allowed to be possessed by daemons for a time before the daemons were banished by daemon hunters. There were casualties, but the majority of test subjects survived and were versed in the ways of combating daemonkind. The test subjects, two companies strong (200 Space Marines) were released onto a daemon-infested planet where they displayed extremely impressive results. They have since been sanctioned as an official Chapter and are often involved in operations overseen by the Ordo Malleus of the Inquisition. They wear red power armour with black trim. The chapter's symbol is a horned skull.

The Exorcists participated in the Badab War, the Gothic War, the Third War for Armageddon and in the defence against the Thirteenth Black Crusade.

Extinction Angels

One of the chapters that turned to chaos after the Horus Heresy, the chapter is famous for its assault skill. During the 13th Black Crusade the chapter fought alongside the Black Legion on the planet Demios Primary, where they scattered the Skitarii forces who were protecting the many forges of the Adeptus Mechanicus. The planet was liberated by the Black Templar space marines and it is believed that the Angels are still hidden in the lower depths.

Their armour is a dark purple with gold details and their symbol is a skull wearing a red hood, behind a grey Scythe.

F

Fire Angels

This chapter wears white with red trim, and displays a red cross bottony as their symbol. They fought in the Badab War and in the Battle of Sagan's Moon.

Fire Hawks

One of the chapters created during the Cursed 21st Founding, from Ultramarines gene-seed. The Fire Hawks disappeared into the Warp during the 41st millennium, and were declared Lost in the Warp.

Shortly after this, ghost Space Marines began to appear on various battlefields. These apparitions came to be known as the Legion of the Damned, 'fading' into existence to support beleaguered Imperial forces, and fading out again as soon as the battle was won. This has caused some to suspect that the Legion of the Damned and the Fire Hawks are one and the same.

The armour of the Fire Hawks is predominantly yellow, trimmed with red flames. The Chapter's symbol is a mushroom cloud. The Legion of the Damned armour is black and marked with symbols of death and damnation: skulls, bones and flames.

The Fire Hawks participated in the Badab War and in the Assault on Terra at the end of Goge Vandire's Reign of Blood.

The Legion of the Damned's first appearance in White Dwarf magazine (issue 99) states that the Fire Hawks are the Legion of the Damned, while the Legion's reappearance in post-1st edition attempts to make the connection mysterious and ambiguous.

Flame Falcons

One of the cursed Space Marine chapters created during the Cursed 21st Founding. Although their earlier successes promised a great future for the chapter, they were almost completely wiped out by the Inquisition before a hundred years had passed.

The cause of the Inquisition's attack was the fact that during an engagement, members of the Chapter burst into flame. These Marines came to no harm, and believing the flames to be a gift from the Emperor, fought with a fierce savagery that won the day.

The members of the Inquisition did not share this belief, and when the Chapter returned to their homeworld of Lethe to celebrate, they were attacked and almost completely destroyed by a force of Grey Knights.

Flesh Eaters

The Flesh Eaters are a Third Founding successor chapter of the Blood Angels. Despite their name being "The Flesh Eaters" it is only rumoured they practice cannibalism. They are strongly distrusted by most forces of the Imperium, with some Imperial Guard regiments and Space Marine chapters refusing to fight alongside them due to their ruthlessness and brutality, disregard for human life and the fact they (it is rumoured) ritually devour their slain enemies. There are also persisting rumours that the chapter suffered from an internal conflict arising from heresy and treachery where an untold number of the chapter succumbed to Chaos, although the truth of this cannot be ascertained, for the secrecy and seclusion of the Flesh Eaters have made any investigations futile.

The chapter's armour is dark red. Their helmets are painted with snarling maws and sharp, blood-dripping fangs. The symbol of the Flesh Eaters is a stylised monstrous jaw.

Flesh Tearers

A Second Founding chapter of the Blood Angels, they are afflicted by a dangerous gene-seed alteration which causes most veterans to succumb to the effects of Black Rage. They are affected by it more than any other chapter, and therefore have dwindling numbers. They favour assault tactics, and they are infamous for their savage style of fighting and rumours of cannibalism and blood-drinking rituals. The Flesh Tearers participated in the Third War for Armageddon where the chapter was nearly declared Excommunicate and subjected to Inquisitorial investigation after they had, in a fit of the Black Rage, slaughtered civilians once they had run out of Orks to kill. Amongst the Orks of Armageddon the chapter became known as the 'Eaters of the Dead'. Later in the campaign, Orks were known to have retreated when Flesh Tearers attacked, a display virtually unheard of.

Notable members include: Chapter Master Seth - Guardian of the Rage and High Chaplain Carnarvon - Watcher of the Lost.

The chapter's colour scheme is primarily red, with black shoulderpads, helmet and backpack. The chapter's symbol is a drop of blood on a white design similar to a circular saw blade.

G

Genesis Chapter

A Second Founding chapter of the Ultramarines. The chapter's power armour is red with yellow details; their symbol is an upside-down "V" on top of a white triangle.

Grey Knights

Main article: Grey Knights

Grey Claws

The Grey Claws armor is all grey and they prefer close combat. They are also one of the chapters that defend the Eye of Terror.

Grey Slayers

A chapter only mentioned in the short opening piece to Realm of Chaos, the Grey Slayers became corrupted by Chaos; Inquisitor Thrax purged the Chapter of mutants and daemons, and the Chapter Master took his own life. Untainted officers were raised up to lead the chapter. The purge was apparently not quite thorough enough, as Inquisitor Thrax himself was soon afterwards corrupted and turned into some sort of daemonic Chaos beast. The Grey Slayers' eventual disposition is unknown.

Grief Bringers

A chapter that suffered heavy losses fighting against Enslavers on Valhall II. Their armour is described as "principally a sickly pea-green, with engrailed chevrons of headachey purple."

References

• Watson, Ian (1993). "Warped Stars". In Jones, Neil and Pringle, David (editors) (ed.). Deathwing. London: Boxtree. ISBN 1-85283-838-8. {{cite book}}: |editor= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: editors list (link)

Guardians of the Covenant

A Dark Angels Successor Chapter, the Guardians of the Covenant's homeworld lies close to the Imperium's western rim. The Chapter is extremely monastic, even compared to other chapters, and its brothers regularly wear crimson robes over their silver armour.

H

Harbingers

The Harbingers hail from Birmingham ("the Black Planet") and are specialists at drop assaults. They consider themselves sworn enemies of the Death Guard Traitor Legion, and as soon as word reached them of the 13th Black Crusade, they redirected their forces away from the Orks of the Piscinan Belt towards this new threat.

They are currently led by Nimrod Grudge , and sent eight companies to combat the threat of the 13th Black Crusade. Their chapter colours are white with a yellow helmet and their chapter symbol is falling star, with the star replaced by a skull.

Hawk Lords

A Codex chapter whose armour is coloured purple with gold trim and chest eagle. The chapter symbol is of a hawk depicted in a similar style to the German Eagle.

The colour of this chapter is very similar to that of the pre-heresy Emperor's Children.

Heralds of Ultramar

A Codex chapter derived from the Ultramarines. Their appearance is identical to Ultramarines, except for the use of a winged, five-pointed star as the chapter's symbol, and a white trim on their shoulder pads and chest eagle.

Howling Griffons

A Codex chapter who traces their origin from the Ultramarines. Their colour scheme is a quartered red and yellow design, with a griffon as their symbol. They are loyalist veterans of the Badab War and saw extensive action in the 13th Black Crusade, fighting against Chaos Plague Marines in the defence of Amistel Majoris.

For millennia, the Howling Griffons had a rancorous hatred of the warband of the Daemon Prince Periclitor, formerly of the Night Lords Legion, who slew their Chapter Master Orlando Furioso and the entire First Company on the 5000th anniversary of the chapter's creation. During the 13th Black Crusade however, the current Chapter Master Alvaro diverted his Battle Barge "Sword of Destiny" from the war effort to pursue the Daemon Prince. Revenge was finally obtained when Periclitor was banished at the height of a titanic space battle between the Howling Griffons First Company and the Chosen of the Daemon Prince.

In the novel, Chapter War by Ben Counter, it is said that Lord Mercaeno, Chief Librarian of the Howling Griffons took Periclitor's head with his force axe. Lord Mercaeno subsequently fell in a boarding action of the Soul Drinkers' primary vessel.

I

Imperial Fists

Main article: Imperial Fists

Imperial Ravagers

Their headquarters orbits Vindict V. They were summoned to perform Exterminatus upon the planet Stalinvast in the Inquisition War trilogy novel Draco.

Immortal Hearts

One company present after the first Season of Fire during the Third War for Armageddon.

Inceptors

A Second Founding chapter of the Ultramarines.

Iron Champions

The Iron Champions were one of the chapters that participated in the 3rd Armageddon War; they dispatched seven companies. During the war, the chapter launched a massive drop-pod assault to support the Celestial Lions and were it not for the two chapters, Hive Volcanus would have remained in Ork hands.

The chapter's power armour is painted black with the helmet and shoulder pads painted grey. The chest eagle is red and the face of the helmet often has a gold skull painted on it. The chapter's symbol is a skull in the middle of an Iron Halo.

Iron Fists

They are mentioned in Realm of Chaos as using power shields "moulded with a medieval gauntlet." Their armour is painted a light blue-grey with gold arms. Their symbol is a gold gauntlet in the shape of a fist upon a field of light blue-grey.

Iron Hands

Main article: Iron Hands

Iron Hearts

Briefly mentioned in the short story "Hell in a Bottle" by Simon Jowett published in Let the Galaxy Burn. Their Primarch is mentioned as "Primarch Rubineck", possibly one of the unknown primarchs listed in the space marine codex. The removal of this chapter's name may be resultant of the content of the short story where at the end a chaos lord gains entrance to a training centre via the body of a failed space marine. Further canon disregards the use of the name primarch and goes on to state that the Chapter was all but annihilated fighting the Chaos Lord who manifested in their system. Only two companies, the Sixth and Tenth, remain at full strength.

Iron Knights

A chapter of Space Marines who were on a self-imposed penitence crusade when they were called into action during the 13th Black Crusade. They are described as having "gleaming, blue-grey armour".

The chapter's marines curiously bear their squad marking on both shoulderpads, with the chapter badge relegated to a small shield located in the front corner of their left shoulderpad.

The Iron Knights are a smaller chapter and are primarily a strike force style chapter which focus on attacking with terminators and other heavily armoured units and vehicles.

Iron Snakes

A Second Founding chapter, the Iron Snakes were one of the many who participated in the defence against the Thirteenth Black Crusade. The chapter also contributed Marines towards the Sabbat Worlds Crusade. Amongst the battles fought in that Crusade were: the relief of the Guard on Ambold Eleven and the assault on Pelbury Civitas, the cleansing of the daemon-infested Fornax Aleph, the support of the final extermination of the Zoican horde on Verghast, and the destruction of the mechanised mutant army of Presarius.

However, their primary task is to guard a cluster of solar systems known as the Reef Stars, the closest to their homeworld of Ithaka, and which is frequently plagued by Ork and Dark Eldar attacks. The Iron Snakes take their name from the giant sea serpents that inhabit Ithaka's oceans and one of the Chapter's rites of passage is to hunt and kill one using only a sea lance. Though their Fortress Monastery is actually based on Ithaka's moon, Karybdis, they frequently descend to Ithaka itself, using its many hostile environments in training exercises to sharpen battle brothers and new recruits alike.

Their power armour is gunmetal, and the Chapter's symbol is a blue snake on a white background. Their shoulder pads are lined in red.

L

Lamenters

One of the chapters created during the Cursed 21st Founding. The Lamenters are believed to have been created from Blood Angels gene-seed, modified to remove the effects of the Black Rage and Red Thirst. This appeared to have been in some way successful. However, the Lamenters are noted for suffering from a kind of melancholy, although it is unclear if this is due to some uncalculated flaw in their geneseed or if it is simply a result of the unfortunate events that have repeatedly befallen the Chapter.

The Lamenters are considered an unfortunate, or even cursed chapter. During the early centuries of the 41st millennium, they became involved on the wrong side of the Badab Uprising. Investigation after the event showed that the Lamenters had not rebelled out of treachery, but of pride. They saw the attacks by the Imperium on the Astral Claws as infringing upon the autonomy of the Adeptus Astartes. They were eventually granted forgiveness for their actions and sent on a one hundred year crusade of penance.

Unfortunately, their bad luck seemed to follow them, as this crusade led them straight into the path of the Tyranid Hive Fleet Kraken. Although they were instrumental in slowing the advance of the alien menace, the Lamenters took devastating losses as a result. In one particularly notable battle, a number of Lamenters Space Marines fought a heroic last stand on the planet Malvolion which was being rapidly consumed by Tyranid organisms. The actions of the Lamenters allowed for many Imperial civilians to escape the doomed world, but they lost their lives in the process. As a result of the horrific losses they suffered in their many battles with the Tyranids, barely 3 companies of the Lamenters still remain.

The power armour of the Lamenters was originally (according to WD101) yellow except for a red helmet stripe and the right shoulder pad which was decorated with white and black checks, upon which rested the Chapter's symbol: a bleeding heart.

The above scheme referred to MkVI Corvus pattern Power Armour. The recent How To Paint Space Marines book includes a MkVII Eagle pattern Power Armour scheme that darkens the armour to a mustard yellow, and (following standard MkVI to MkVII conversion rules) transfers the chapter badge (and the checked pattern) to the left shoulderpad and drops the helmet stripe completely.

Legion of the Damned

Main article: Legion of the Damned

See also Fire Hawks

Liberators

A Second Founding chapter of the Ultramarines. Their armour is blue with a maroon checked pattern on the leg armour; their emblem is two crossed black pickaxes on a red field. The colour changes to designate the company. Their one peculiarity is that their basic weapon is the storm bolter.

Lords of Wrath

Lords of Wrath chapter is mentioned in the 3rd edition of Codex: Imperial Guard on P.32. They are said to have participated in the capture of Decius Mus a.k.a. Arch-Heretic of Auscum with assistance from the 23rd Bruttiam Regiment.

M

Mantis Legion

Sometimes referred to as the Mantis Warriors, the Mantis Legion was one of the three chapters that joined the Astral Claws in rebelling during the Badab Uprising. However they later rejoined the Imperial forces and joined the attack on Huron Blackheart and the Astral Claws.

At the end of the rebellion, they were granted the Emperor's forgiveness, subject to undertaking a hundred year crusade - a virtual death sentence for the Chapter as this would entail the inability to recruit. The Mantis Legion's homeworld was forfeited to the Badab War-loyalist Space Sharks.

Since then they have been treated with suspicion and are under constant scrutiny. Before they rebelled they had an above average induction rate for the Deathwatch, but since rebelling only a handful have been accepted. They are no longer banned from recruiting by the Inquisition, although the chapter size is still dangerously low. The chapter was birthed from the Mordriana System, near the Eye of Terror, though they have had their right to a homeworld revoked and so currently reside in their space fleet.

Mantis Warriors who are veterans of the Tranquility Campaign are formed into Sniper Squads known as 'Tranquility Sniper Squads'. These marines are known widely for their use of the Sniper Rifle and their yellow and black tiger-stripe armour.

The only other non-Codex troops mentioned are the elite 'praying mantidae'. This elite cadre are selected from the most driven and pious members of the chapter and live for the sole purpose of hunting the Red Corsairs in order to bring honour back to the chapter. They are recognisable by snake-like tattoos covering their body, extending high up their necks.

Though a successor chapter, Mantis Warrior gene-seed is unusual and is rumoured to allow the Mantis Warriors to enter a haze-like state in which the warrior's perception of space and time are slowed down, allowing him to react and fight at an accelerated speed. This battle haze is a permanent state and the marine is caught in it until he dies. Their melee combat is also helped by the notched adamantine blades attached to the lower arm armour.

The chapter colour scheme was originally green, their chapter symbol depicted as a mantis head (The Badab War, White Dwarf), but has changed to shining green with gold edging. The chapter symbol is a flaming mantis claw. All marines in this chapter appear to have green eyes and long black hair.

A few members who have "unofficially" joined the Deathwatch through death in battle: Librarian Shaidan, Sergeant Ruinus (Devastator Squad), and Sergeant Soron (Assault Squad). Another famous Mantis Warrior is Kruidan the Assault Squad Sergeant from Warrior Coven.

References

• Goto, Cassern (2005). Warrior Brood ( (cite book). Nottingham: Black Library. ISBN 1-84416-234-6. {{cite book}}: Text "title-Warrior Coven" ignored (help)

Marauders

A Second Founding chapter of the White Scars. The Marauders' power armour is yellow, and their symbol is a red double-headed axe encircled.

Marines Errant

They use a two-colour scheme of half white and blue, with a shooting star, graduating from red to yellow, as their symbol. Their name apparently refers to the wandering nature of the Chapter, as they are mentioned as to have been recalled by the Emperor from the Eastern Fringe to take part in the Badab War, and to have formed the "Second Outer Galactic Expeditionary Force."

Marines Exemplar

The Marines Exemplar dedicated all but one reserve company to the efforts against the 13th Black Crusade of Chaos. They were one of the chapters founded to make up the Astartes Praeses, twenty chapters created to guard the regions surrounding the Eye of Terror.

Their power armour is black with red arms and shoulderpads (including trim); their chapter badge is a black skull with spikes radiating from the top.

Marines Malevolent

The Marines Malevolent Chapter was founded in the 32nd millennium. Their power armour is yellow (including trim) with the exception of the torso and backpack which are black. Their chapter symbol is a black winged thunderbolt.

During the Third War for Armageddon, the Marines Malevolent were censured for launching attacks that cost the lives of thousands of innocent civilians. Apparently this chapter believes that the end justifies the means and are therefore prepared to conduct war as they see fit regardless of who is hurt in the crossfire. Captain Vineyard of the Marines Malevolent and Master Tu'Shan of the Salamanders were involved in a tense altercation in the aftermath of this incident. Some sources imply that one participant went so far as to strike the other - a severe gesture in the ethos of the Adeptus Astartes - but this is unconfirmed.

Mentors

Often referred to as the Mentor Legion. The Mentors are a Twenty-Sixth Founding Chapter and are the second chapter to be designated number 888 (the first one being the destroyed Star Scorpions). The Mentors are a special chapter; the chapter does not fight in force but instead seconds squads of Marines to other Imperial forces. The chapter also acts as a test bed for new Imperial technology. (White Dwarf 98)

The Mentors' armour is painted dark green over the body and helmet, with white arms, shoulders and legs. The chapter's badge was originally the stylised face of an owl, (as shown in White Dwarf 98) but was later changed to a plain red falcon's head, seen in profile. The Chapter Master of the Mentors, named Nisk Ran-Thawll, has visited Terra (Earth), and is rumoured to have been granted an audience with the Emperor.

The chapter enjoys close links with the Adeptus Mechanicus, and is known to be technologically innovative in its own right. Consequently, Mentors' equipment is of a superior standard in terms of reliability and technical complexity.

Metamarines

A Space Marine Chapter that participated in the 13th Black Crusade. The Metamarines' helmets, backpacks, and shoulder guard borders are blue, with every thing else white. Their chapter symbol is a blue sun with a skull in the centre.

Minotaurs

One of the chapters created during the Cursed 21st Founding, the Minotaurs possess a reputation for being extremely xenophobic soldiers, along with being considered an unreliable and unpredictable force by many commanders within the Imperium. This chapter saw action on Rynn's World during the attempt to reclaim it from the Orks. The most famous of the Minotaurs actions though, was an assault against the Lamenters' fleet during the Badab Uprising in which the Lamenters sided with the renegade Astral Claws in what they thought was a threat to the sovereignty and independence of the Adeptus Astartes as a whole.

Minotaur power armour is yellow, with red decorations (usually warning markings). The chapter's symbol is a blue bull's head.

Mortifactors

A chapter founded during the 40th millennium from Ultramarines gene-seed. The Mortifactors' armour is painted bone and black, with the shoulder pad trim being in the company colour. The Mortifactors recruit from the night world Posul, where the nomad population practice cannibalism. The fortress monastery of the Mortifactors is adorned with skulls and bones of those that died in the service of the chapter.

The chapter symbol is a human skull on a black background. This chapter participated in the Third War for Armageddon.

Brother Artemis of the Deathwatch was a member of the Mortifactors chapter.

The chapter was mentioned in Warriors of Ultramar by Graham McNeil. In this novel they were lead by Chaplain Astador and with their strike cruiser, the Mortis Probati as they fought with the Ultramarines 4th company and the Deathwatch against the Tyranid invasion on the world of Tarsis Ultra.

N

Night Watch

One of the chapters founded to make up the Astartes Praeses, twenty chapters created to guard the regions surrounding the Eye of Terror. The Night Watch do not appear to follow the Codex Astartes as rigidly as most chapters, having at least eleven active companies at the start of the 13th Black Crusade. Their armor is grey with light blue trim.

Novamarines

A Second Founding chapter of the Ultramarines. The Novamarines contributed six companies to the defence against the Thirteenth Black Crusade. The Novamarines were also involved in the Damocles Gulf Crusade and the Lithesh Sector Crusade, both wars fought against the Tau empire. The power armour of the Novamarines is quartered navy blue and bone. The chapter's symbol is of a skull surrounded by a stylised star.

O

Omega Marines

A chapter founded during the 40th millennium. The Omega Marines wear divided white and black armour, shoulder pad trim and chest eagle are in the company colour, veterans wear entirely black helmets. The chapter symbol is a white omega on a black background, with a skull surrounded by the omega. They participated in the Third War for Armageddon.

P

Praetors of Orpheus

A Second Founding chapter of the Ultramarines. Stationed on the world of Beta Entebes II within a subterranean base called the Labyrinthe of Orphia (sourced from Imperial Armour Vol. II), these Space Marines wear predominantly white armour with distinctive sky-blue shoulderpad trims, backpack, chest eagle and gun casing. Company is denoted both by a Roman numeral on the left kneepad and also the colour of the pad itself. The chapter badge is a blue shield with a yellow sunburst in the centre, with the exception of the top left quarter which is white with a blue Ultramarines symbol.

The Pyre

A chapter that went excommunicate before the 13th Black Crusade, they use assault troops mainly backed up with armoured fire support, The Pyre bolster a unusually high number of Predators and Defilers. Their armour is orange with a black rim. Their chapter badge is currently unknown and they do not have a certain Chaos god that they rally to, using the benefits of the four Chaos Gods to their advantage.

Purple Stars

A Space Marine Chapter featured in "Eye of Terror" by Barrington J. Bayley. The armor is a royal purple with five gold colored stars on the right shoulder. In the novel "Eye of Terror" Purple Star Marines were sent on a one way mission into the Eye of Terror with a research team, and were wiped out to the last man when their shuttle was boarded.

R

Rainbow Warriors

The Rainbow Warriors appeared as an example chapter in Rogue Trader (the first edition of Warhammer 40,000), but there is no mention of them in later editions of the game. They are however illustrated in the Space Marine Chapter Gallery (Games Workshop) as having dark blue armour with a multi-coloured rainbow stripe along the centre of their helmets. Due to their appearance in Rogue Trader, they are often erroneously referred to as a First Founding Legion. However, this legion 'apparently' came to the attention of the Ordos Hereticus for some reason unknown and were wiped out to a single company (as read in a White Dwarf). Also in Rogue Trader there is a picture of a Sister of Battle slaying a Rainbow Warrior.

Their chapter symbol is a winged lightning bolt.

A Rainbow Warriors chapter badge is present in the Command Centre room on the board of MB Games Space Crusade.

References

• Priestley, Rick (1987). Rogue Trader. Eastwood: Games Workshop. ISBN 1-872372-27-9.
• "Space Marine Chapter Gallery". Games Workshop. Retrieved 2006-03-21.

Rampagers

A Second Founding chapter of the White Scars. Their power armour is red. The chapter symbol is of a fist clenching a yellow lightning bolt. According to How To Paint Space Marines, squad badges are placed on the outer side of the right greave.

Raptors

A Second Founding chapter of the Raven Guard. The chapter first appeared in Rogue Trader era Warhammer 40K as the "Raptor Legion," and wore blue armour with yellow face, shoulder pads, gloves, boots, and greaves. Their chapter symbol was a white hawk's head. When the chapter was revisited during 3rd edition the 'Legion' was dropped from their name and they became specialists in jungle warfare. At this point their armour colour changing to a dull green, with the white hawk's head symbol retained, ideal for fighting within flora-dominated spaces. How To Paint Space Marines shows that during the 4th Edition release of Space Marine-related material, the colour scheme was reverted to blue and yellow, although material published by Forgeworld after this time retains the 3rd Edition dull green. It is possible the Raptors and the Raptor Legion is supposed to be two different chapters, but no official statement on this can be found in any sourcebooks.

Further- there was a story where the entire Chapter became stranded on a jungle deathworld, leading to them repainting their armour green in order to better survive. However, as stated, the issue of the Chapter's colour has not been cleared up by Games Workshop.

The chapter prides itself on extreme zeal, but "their reckless disregard for the Codex is legendary" according to Captain Ardias of the Ultramarines.

The Raptors appeared in the background material surrounding the Armageddon3 worldwide campaign. The chapter is featured in the game Fire Warrior.

Raven Guard

Main article: Raven Guard

Reclaimers

A chapter that took part in the anti-Tyranid action at Coronia. They are mentioned several times in Sandy Mitchell's Ciaphas Cain series of novels, and are also one of the Astartes Praeses. They wear cherry-red armour and their symbol is a pair of gauntleted fists imposed on a blue pentagram

Red Hunters

This chapter has strong ties to the Inquisition; the entire Chapter has been known to serve under an Inquisitor Lord on occasion. Their uniform is red, with a white skull with a black Inquisition symbol on its head as a Chapter badge.

Red Scorpions

The Red Scorpions are the chapter responsible for the Land Raider Helios artillery support vehicle. The chapter is characterized by its obsession with purity and totally strict adherence to Codex dogma. It considers deviation from even the traditional patterns of Codex-sanctioned camouflage to be tantamount to heresy, leading the chapter on occasion to refuse to fight alongside other chapters.

Red Scorpions power armour was originally black with yellow helmet stripe and shoulder plate, leg and arm trims. Imperial Armour Volume Four has amended this to charcoal grey with mustard shoulder plate trim, chest eagle and helmet stripe (irrespective of company). The chapter's symbol is a red scorpion centred on a white field.

They are known to have participated in the Badab War and the Third War for Armageddon, appearing at the end of the first year of conflict. They also appear to have fought in the Anphelion project alongside Inquisitor Soloman Lok.

The forge world miniatures of their veterans also shows that their veterans exclusively wear Mk. IV armour, which is very unusual, as the armour has become rare in the extreme, most chapters being lucky to have even a few suits of this pre-Heresy armour.

Notable Red Scorpion characters include the Chapter's Master, Commander Carab Culln. Culln was in charge of the Red Scorpions during the fighting concerning the Anphelion Project.

Red Talons

A Second Founding chapter of the Iron Hands. Their power armour is red with black trim, and the chapter's symbol is of a red bird's talons on a black circular background.

Red Templars

A Chapter of unknown origin, possibly founded from the Black Templars previous to the Second War for Armageddon, although the zeal of the Black Templars makes this unlikely and there is no evidence to support this theory. Their power armour is red with a gold aquila. The Chapter's symbol is a gold Fleur-de-lis

Relictors

Founded in the 36th millennium as one of the twenty Astartes Praeses Chapters, created to protect the regions surrounding the Eye of Terror. The Relictors were a radical chapter that utilised the weapons of Chaos to destroy the minions of Chaos themselves. This frequently brought them into conflict with the Inquisition, eventually culminating in their space-going fortress monastery being attacked and destroyed by the Grey Knights along with a large proportion of the chapter. Relictors are known for following their own means and objectives during conflicts. It is known they participated in the defense of Cadia during the 13th Black Crusade. There is no actual proof as to the Chapter being excommunicated, though rumors are strong that they have once again turned to hunting for chaos artifacts.

Their power armour is dark grey (including trim) with black shoulder pads, and often bears white penitence markings.

The Chapter participated in both the Third War for Armageddon and the defence of the Cadian sector against the 13th Black Crusade.

References

• Green, Jonathan (2006). Conquest of Armageddon. Nottingham: Black Library. ISBN 1-84416-196-X.

Revilers

A Second Founding chapter of the Raven Guard. Their armour colour is grey; the chapter symbol is a human skull shot through from top left to lower right by a yellow lightning bolt (although some depictions forego the lightning bolt) Each company is assigned a colour, which is painted on a stripe on each Marine's helmet.

S

Salamanders

Main article: Salamanders (Warhammer 40,000)

Scythes of the Emperor

Adeptus Astartes Chapter 874, the Scythes of the Emperor were founded at some point during the middle of the 41st millennium. Their gene-stock is speculated to have come from the Ultramarines. The Scythes served during the Damocles Gulf Crusade, and played a vital role in the capture of Sy'l'kell from the Tau Empire. However, the crusade stalled and withdrew when it was learned that the newly-discovered Tyranids were heading for Ultramar, home of the Ultramarines.

After the Badab War, the Scythes were charged to watch over the Lamenters, who were performing a crusade of penance for their role in the rebellion. They continued in this role until the final years of the 41st millennium, when the chapter's homeworld Sotha was attacked and destroyed by Hive Fleet Kraken. The Scythes are presumed destroyed with their homeworld, but rumours indicate that a small number of survivors may be active and are pursuing splinters of Kraken.

The armour of the Scythes of the Emperor is black and yellow, with crossed yellow scythes depicted on the shoulder panels.

Silver Guards

Turned Renegade after the "Obscuran Uprisings" in late M34

References

• (2007) Chaos Space Marines Codex

Silver Skulls

An Ultramarines successor chapter founded during the 31st millennium. The armour of the Silver Skulls is silver (including trim) with black shoulderpads. According to some sources the chapter denotes company by the colour of the squad badge. The chapter symbol is a silver, stylised skull mask. They participated in the Third War for Armageddon. They are headhunters, wearing the heads and skulls of their enemies as trophies.

Skull Bearers

This chapter wears bone-coloured power armour. Its chapter symbol is a black skull with yellow eye sockets and nasal cavity. They participated in the Imbach Genocide.

Sons of Antaeus

A chapter created during the Cursed 21st Founding, records of the Sons of Antaeus are few. In these, the reporters marvel at the Space Marines bearing grey and black livery, the Marines apparently larger and hardier than even the other superhumans of the Adeptus Astartes. Only sighted once in M41, appearing out of nowhere to aid The Subjugators who were under attack by the Eldar, then vanishing without a trace.

In the battle, Eldar forces attacked the Sons of Antaeus believing them the weaker foe, however the Marines were far more resistant to the eldar's firepower and stood their ground. As soon as the Eldar were defeated and the Subjugators were victorious the Sons of Antaeus vanished as mysteriously as they had arrived.

Sons of Guilliman

A chapter created during the 33rd millennium from Ultramarines gene-seed. The Sons of Guilliman wear quartered, alternating blue and white powered armour. They have been shown with both red and yellow chest eagles; Insignium Astartes however states that they denote company by the colour of the left kneepad (pad trims match the respective pads). The chapter symbol is an inverted omega, imposed over a pair of wings. This chapter participated in the Third War for Armageddon.

Sons of Justice

The Sons Of Justice armour is purple with bronze shoulder pad trim, backpack and head. The Sons Of Justice are also known as "The Defenders of Varlite" because they fought along side the Storm Lords and the Black Ravens in an apocalyptic battle to defend the fortress of Varlite, an important air field and military camp built around and over the mountain ranges of Valkador V.

Sons of Malice

The Sons of Malice turned to Chaos some time prior to the Thirteenth Black Crusade. The chapter was founded to watch over the Eye of Terror, but were excommunicated for ritually sacrificing and devouring an Inquisitor of the Ordo Hereticus who had objected to them ritually devouring some cultists.

Their homeworld was Scelus, in the Cadian Sector, although it was declared Perdita when the Chapter turned on the Imperium. In retaliation, the chapter allied itself with Abbadon's 13th Crusade.

The armour of the Sons of Malice is quartered black and white, with silver trim. Their symbol, colours and name associates the chapter with the Chaos God Malal. Although turning to Chaos they maintain their enmity against it.

Sons of Medusa

A loyalist chapter involved in the Badab War. They are depicted with dark green armour ; their chapter symbol was originally Medusa's head, (W40K Compendium, 1989) but was later stylized into a white skull with a white halo about it. They at present have been seen in major fleet actions along the southern rim of the Eye of Terror and have an oddly high number of Apothecaries in their ranks.

Sons of Vengeance

Turned Renegade after the "Obscuran Uprisings" in late M34

References

• (2007) Chaos Space Marines Codex

Sons of Ulthunas

Turned Renegade during Ganymathian betrayal Now known as the Angels of Ecstacy

References

• (2007) Chaos Space Marines Codex

Soul Drinkers

A Rogue Space Marine Chapter, were declared Excommunicate Traitoris by the Inquisition after they refused censorship and subsequently killed the interrogator sent to demand their submission to the Imperium investigation. This was following their assault on an Adeptus Mechanicus ship that stole one of their sacred relics from them (a vortex weapon wielded by the Imperial Fists' Primarch, Rogal Dorn called the Soulspear.) They are still very loyal to the Emperor, even though they have been exposed to the raw stuff of Chaos. They were allegedly formed from the Imperial Fists' orbital assault contingent during the Second Founding. They participated along with the Imperial Fists, Fire Hawk and Black Templars chapters in the assault on Terra at the end of the Reign of Blood.

The current Chapter Master is a powerful Librarian by the name of Sarpedon. He is unique in that he has seven real arachnoid like legs and one mechanical, due to a mutation caused by Abraxes, a daemon prince of Tzeentch . He can telepathically send but not receive thoughts as well as being able to generate a mass illusion called 'The Hell', which feeds off the fears of his enemies.

Their armour is purple with bone coloured shoulder pad trims and gold chest eagle. Their chapter badge is a golden chalice with three spikes rising out of the top.

The chapter's name derives from a mutation in their Omophagea. Normally this organ allows a Marine to absorb some of the memories of a creature by consuming its flesh; in addition to this the Soul Drinkers also experience the creature's emotions and memories. Philosophically speaking they "see into the creature's soul".

See also Soul Drinkers contradiction for inconsistencies within published material about the founding of the Soul Drinkers.

References

• Counter, Ben (2002). Soul Drinker. Nottingham: Black Library. ISBN 1-84154-260-1.

Space Sharks

The Space Sharks Chapter wears grey armour with a red helmet stripe. Its symbol is a black shark, viewed from the front, with its mouth gaping. They were involved in the Badab War for a short period of time.

Space Wolves

Main article: Space Wolves

Star Phantoms

The Star Phantoms participated in the Badab War. This Chapter was responsible for the final assault which ended the Badab War. Over five hundred marines assaulted the palace, and during the assault, crippled Huron Blackheart. The Cities of Death expansion book claims Captain Androcles of the Star Phantoms wounded him with a combi-melta in an ambush, although other sources claim this was an orbital bombardment.

Star Scorpions

The Star Scorpions were a chapter of the 25th Founding. They had the dual misfortune of producing redundant gene-seed and being utterly devastated by warp entities when the Chapter's Fleet became trapped in the warp. Due to their unusable gene-seed the chapter could not be refounded. In the 26th Founding, the Mentors received the Star Scorpions' colours and chapter designation, number 888, but were given a completely new set of gene-seed. The fate of the Star Scorpions is said to be unknown, however there are reports of ancient Marines in Star Scorpions uniform fighting in the Third War for Armageddon.

Steel Cobras

A chapter of Space Marines that turned on the Imperium after a puritanical crusade was led against them for their worship of the Emperor as an animal-totem. The Steel Cobras are now based beneath the ammonia seas of Tukaroe VII, where nothing short of an invasion by another Space Marine Chapter will dislodge them.

The chapter's power armour is dark brass with dark metallic green details; their chapter symbol is yet to be seen.

Steel Confessors

A chapter created in M36 by the Adeptus Mechanicus for its own use using Iron Hands gene-seed. The Inquisition discovered its existence, but the High Lords allowed it to continue providing it took all the vows other chapters have to take. They are harsh and uncompromising, and are currently under investigation by the Ordo Hereticus after the destruction of the Tallarn 54th for "Failure to complete objectives".

The Steel Confessors shall feature in a huge battle against the Orks at Games Day 2007, involving the whole Chapter. It promises to be one of the biggest games ever fought, with points values of roughly 40,000 either side.

Storm Giants

A chapter founded during the early 41st millennium. The Storm Giants wear bone-coloured armour (including trim) with a yellow or gold chest eagle; according to Insignium Astartes they bear no company markings on their armour at all. The chapter symbol is a stylised red thunderbolt, pointing upwards. The chapter is believed to be descended from Salamanders gene-seed. They participated in the Third War for Armageddon.

Storm Lords

A Second Founding chapter of the White Scars. Their power armour is painted half-white half-red with yellow helmet. The chapter's symbol is a skull superimposed over three lightning bolts. The Storm Lords participated in the effort to free the Crimson Fists' homeworld from the Orks.

There is conflicting background as to the chapter's organisation: some sources claim it is a Codex chapter with the helmet being painted in the company colour, other sources claim it follows the White Scars division into "Brotherhoods" in which case the helmet colours are an unknown quantity.

Storm Ravens

The Storm Ravens are a chapter famous for the first use of the suppression doctrine, the creation of which is credited to Jagrvelj Skyhammer, Master of the Arsenal. This involves Land Speeders, equipped with minimal weaponry and additional sensor arrays, scouting enemy formations and directing fire from supporting Whirlwinds.

The success of this doctrine in the Rhopara Crusade lead not only to the doctrine being used by the rest of the Storm Ravens Chapter, but across the Adeptus Astartes.

The Chapter's colours and heraldry are unknown.

Storm Warriors

The Storm Warriors committed their entire chapter's forces to the defence of the Cadian sector during the Thirteenth Black Crusade. The chapter's power armour is painted grey, with shoulder pad trim in the company colour. The symbol of the Storm Warriors is a vertical sword, flanked by two lightning bolts.

Subjugators

Founded only a short time before the 13th Black Crusade, the Subjugators were almost wiped out during the various actions on Cadia. While fighting a campaign against the Cell-kin of the Technetium Belt, several of the marines were infected by the Xenos they fought (the Cell-kin breed by viral dissemination, their DNA infecting the body of the host, reshaping it into another Cell-kin). Though most of the chapter were cured, twenty of the 3rd Company couldn't be cured; they escaped and are still at large in the galaxy.

They also participated in a battle against Eldar forces in M41, they were at a lost when The Sons of Antaeus appeared and aided them in battle and then vanished when all was done.

Their power armour is mid-green (including trims). The chapter badge is a black clenched fist.

References

• "Index Astartes – Rogue Sons". White Dwarf: UK Edition (303). 2005. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)

T

Terror Tigers

The Terror Tigers played a small part in the Inquisition War trilogy novel Harlequin. They lost one quarter of their Chapter when a mutant warlord assaulted their homeworld, after which their Chapter Master ordered his own execution as punishment.

An exploration team of Terror Tigers rediscovered the lost feral world of Hannibal, intervening on an Eldar attempt to reclaim the world as their own. The team dramatically came to the primitive human natives' rescue, only to be completely destroyed by the Eldar.

References

• Watson, Ian (2002). Harlequin. London: Games Workshop. ISBN 0743443225.

Thunder Barons

A Traitor Chapter mentioned in Soul Drinker and Daemon World.

Tiger Claws

The original name of the Astral Claws. They were depicted as wearing black and orange tiger-striped armour with a tiger head as their symbol (The Badab War, Rick Priestley). The name is no longer recognised by Games Workshop as canon.

U

Ultramarines

Main article: Ultramarines

V

Valedictors

Originally a First Founding Legion which saw action on the Eastern Fringe against Orks, Eldar, and traitors during the Horus Heresy. They were described in detail in two Epic articles in White Dwarf magazines 126 and 136, circa 1990-91. The status of the Valedictors changed in White Dwarf 235, where they are said to be of a "later founding," (post-Second Founding). Therefore, in the most recent canon literature, the Valedictors are no longer a First Founding Legion.

Some canon lists them as one of the two Legions "deleted from Imperial Records".

The Valedictors armour is oak-leaf green with a teardrop on the kneecap plate with a Roman numeral inside to denote the company. The symbol is a winged "V".

Violators

A Traitor Chapter dedicated to Slaanesh. Their armour is a shade of blue and their chapter symbol is a lightning bolt crossed with a dagger. They are known to use electrical pulses to stimulate certain parts of the brain to increase pleasure.

They fought in the 13th Black Crusade; most of their actions during it was in the Cadian Sector. During this war they repeatedly took recruits from the worst Imperial prisons.

References

• Counter, Ben (2003). Daemon World. Nottingham: Black Library. ISBN 1-84416-001-7.

W

War Bearers

A chapter whose colour scheme is olive green, and whose symbol is a pair of black battleaxes, crossed. They have a Whirlwind Hyperios named "Ferrus Annihilatus" in their armoury.

Warp Ghosts

A chapter that betrayed the Imperium and turned to Chaos, the chapter allying themselves to Abaddon's 13th Black Crusade. Being only a chapter, they have far less marines compared to the Chaos Legions, but are renowned for their ferocity.

Their chapter colour is a dark green/grey with black and gold details; the renegade chapter's symbol is yet to be seen.

White Consuls

A Second Founding chapter of the Ultramarines. Their armour is white with a blue hawk's head symbol, with shoulder pad trim in the company colour. White Consul veterans wear blue helmets. Described as a member of the Astartes Praeses in the background and rules book Imperial Armour II, it is assumed that they are based near Cadia. However, this conflicts with information provided about the Astartes Praeses, as this Founding was much later than the Second Founding. One theory to clear up this confusion is that the chapter could have been pulled into the Adeptus Praeses having already been well established, perhaps to train the other 19 chapters.

They participated in the Gothic War, and the defence against the 13th Black Crusade.

White Panthers

The White Panthers have only been recently founded (26th Founding). When the planet Thagra IV was invaded by the Alpha Legion, the White Panthers were sent to liberate the planet, and rounded up most of the mutant freedom fighters (who had been making guerrilla warfare on the Alpha Legion) believing them to be traitors. They would have killed them if Inquisitor Gregor Eisenhorn hadn't stopped them.

Their armour is black and white, and has been pictured with either red or yellow shoulder trim. Their symbol is a white panther's head.

White Scars

Main article: White Scars

Wolf Brothers

A Second Founding chapter of the Space Wolves. They were eradicated due to rampant mutation of the unstable Space Wolf geneseed.

References

• Chambers, Andy (1998). Warhammer 40,000 Codex: Space Marines. Nottingham: Games Workshop. ISBN 1-869893-28-X.
• Chambers, Andy (2004). Warhammer 40,000 Codex: Space Marines (4th Edition ed.). Nottingham: Games Workshop. ISBN 1-84154-526-0. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help)
• Chambers, Andy (2003). Warhammer 40,000 Codex: Eye of Terror. Nottingham: Games Workshop. ISBN 1-84154-398-5. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
• Games Workshop Design Staff (2002). Warhammer 40,000 Codex: Chaos Space Marines (1st Edition ed.). Nottingham: Games Workshop. ISBN 1-84154-322-5. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help)
• Kinrade, Warwick (2001). Imperial Armour II (1st Edition ed.). Nottingham: Games Workshop. ISBN 1-84154-219-9. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help)
• Kinrade, Warwick (2002). Imperial Armour Update. Nottingham: Games Workshop. ISBN 1-84154-355-1.
• Merrett, Alan (2002). Insignium Astartes: The Uniforms and Regalia of the Space Marines. Nottingham: Black Library. ISBN 1-84154-245-8.
• "Index Astartes – Emperor's Shield". White Dwarf: Australian Edition (250). 2000. ISSN 0265-8712. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
• "Chapter Approved – Trial Rules: The Cursed Founding". White Dwarf: Australian Edition (279). 2003. ISSN 0265-8712. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
• "Index Astartes – Humanity's Shield". White Dwarf: Australian Edition (284). 2003. ISSN 0265-8712. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
• "Index Astartes – The Eye of the Storm". White Dwarf: Australian Edition (286). 2003. ISSN 0265-8712. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
• "Index Astartes – Rogue Sons". White Dwarf: Australian Edition (303). 2005. ISSN 0265-8712. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
• Chaos Space marines collectors' guide. Games Workshop. 2006. ISBN 1-84154-355-1. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
• Wood, Adrian (2004). How To Paint Space Marines. Games Workshop. ISBN 1-84154-635-6.
• Chambers, Andy (2003). Codex: Dark Angels (2nd release) (3rd Edition ed.). Nottingham: Games Workshop. ISBN 1-84154-302-0. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help)

External links

• Colour schemes for several Space Marine Chapters