Megalodons



"Your kind are very stupid to come here. They will tear you apart. The void belongs to them."

- Consul-Lord Hameon Kahvron, leader of the Dark Star Void Clan, giving a final warning to Drukhari corsairs about their deadly protectors - the Megalodons.

The Megalodons are a Loyalist Space Marine Chapter created during an Unknown Founding and from uncertain lineage. This savage and merciless Chapter were reputedly created in antiquity, but their exact origins are difficult to pinpoint by Imperial scholars, remaining shrouded in the midsts of long-lost antiquity, thousands of years in the past. An isolationist and aloof Chapter, the Megalodons have continuously prosecuted their solitary crusade for millennia, bringing the light of ' Monatoa ', 'The Void Shark that Devourers' (God-Emperor), to the darkest corners of the galaxy. Like hungry apex predators, they stalk through the cold, dark depths of the void, striking their foes unexpectedly and tearing them apart, then slip back into the Outer Dark. The Megalodons' ruthless reputation has writ a bloody legacy across the pages of Imperial history, their very name having become synonymous with merciless butchery of those who would dare assail the realm of Mankind.

 Chapter History
"The Great Enemy goes into the void. Their vessels go into the Outer Dark. The sharks make their home in the 'Dark Ocean'. Farewell, heretics. You're already dead. You just don't know it yet."

- An Imperial merchant talking about the legend of the Megalodons Chapter.

Sharks predate every other large predator on most worlds. They have remained virtually unchanged for millions of years. They are apex predators, which means that the only animal that naturally prey on them are in the same taxonomic class. They possess an undeniable mystique and nobility - every islander or coastal culture on a world that possesses large bodies of water has deified them in some way. Some cultures regard them as daemons, some as benevolent gods or the reincarnations of the Emperor Himself. All, however, respect the shark's power and ferocity. Thus, it is the same for the ferocious and mysterious Megalodons - a ruthless and unforgiving Chapter of Astartes that have plied the darkest reaches of the galaxy for millennia - striking suddenly and without warning - and then disappearing once again into the blackness of the foreboding Outer Dark, beyond the light of the Astronomican.

Adopting the name of the gargantuan apex predator of their primary recruitment world, Te Whatukura - a feral ocean world comprised of island chains and equatorial landmasses that are home to a ferocious and feral culture of warring coastal tribes - like their namesake, the Megalodons have seemingly been imbued by the spirit of this deadly creature with similar attributes. The Megalodons, too, are apex predators, hunting the 'Dark Ocean' (the Outer Dark), dwelling in the deepest and darkest regions of the galaxy, only rushing to the surface of the known galaxy to ambush their unsuspecting prey.

Little is known about these mysterious and enigmatic Astartes, as they are known to be an aloof Chapter that doesn't readily answer pleas from most Imperial institutions, and will only do so at their own discretion. This stems from the fact their only true allegiance is to Manotoa (the God-Emperor), and their sacred duty in following the task assigned to them by His gene-son (standing orders which have never by countermanded by the Emperor), although which Primarch sired this ruthless Chapter is still vehemently debated by Imperial scholars to this day. Despite the paucity of records, there is little information on the precise origins of the Megalons' inception and what Founding they were a part of.

 Unknown Origins
Mysteriously, the Megalodons feature nowhere within the open Imperial record, and likewise the Chapter has no officially-recorded battle honours. Furthermore, this Chapter is oft misidentified with other similarily named Chapters operating with similar nomenclatures (i.e. "Carcharodons", "Void Reapers", "Blood Sharks", ect.). However, the Chapter's own records, which date back several millennia, indicates that at some point, early in their history, they were banished to wander the outer darkness upon an endless Crusade to ravage the foes of Mankind.

To this day, no one alive knows why the Megalodons were banished. However, to ensure their survival, they were granted specific rights, known as the Edicts of Banishment, which granted them the right to Tithe; the Grey Tithe, to acquire all the physical materiel they needed in order to continue the performance of their duties, and the Red Tithe; granting them the right to claim prisoners, rebels, rejects and other detritus of Humanity to operate their vessels as slave serfs or as potential recruits for the Chapter. Although, the Edicts explicitly forbid the Chapter from taking members of the Adepta Terra in their tithing.

The Chapter's proscribed Edicts of Banishment allows and encourages the Megalodons to invade nearby xenos-held territories and long-lost worlds that lie within the vast void of the Outer Dark to reclaim ancient technology and lost Standard Template Constructs (STCs), which is always a high priority. These Astartes are quite adept at seeking out and reclaiming technology and will use these obtained items to barter with the Adeptus Mechanicus. The Grey Tithe is usually conducted on a semi-regular basis, as a delegation from the Chapter meets with allied members of the Martian Priesthood, bartering for a few pieces of archeotech and STC for freshly-crafted wargear, equipment and even vehicles.

 Reavers from the Void
"And lo, the dark grey-clad emerged from the Outer Dark, unseen as the beast that lurks beneath the black waters, and their jagged, bloody maw did swallow the stars, and their black gaze did mirror the void of oblivion. They fell upon the servants of the Archenemy with great fury, offering nothing but death and blood...Thus the people of Calyiopaia were brought salvation, and the damned traitors of the Dark Gods driven unto their ruin."

- Eyewitness testimony taken from the Canticle of Leviticus Desmodius XXIII, Vol XLVII, Chapter One, Para. 23

Despite the valiant service and stalwart defence of realm of the Emperor, the Imperium at large is mostly unaware of this Chapter's existence, and even the Inquisition seems to have only limited information about them. The Megalodons' complete lack of glory-seeking behavior doesn't help with this, and in fact, on several occasions down the long millenia of Imperial history, there have been several notable incidents where dark grey-clad Astartes intervened to aid beleaguered Imperial forces, arriving unannounced (and often unwanted) to lend their considerable might to a conflict or war. Most notably, these rare accounts indicate that these mysterious Astartes attacked the enemy without warning or preamble, and did so with a ferocity unheard of amongst the average Adeptus Astartes Chapter. Often, Imperial forces that have fought alongside these murderous Astartes found their erstwhile allies to be unpredictable, intemperate and dangerous to anything that stood in their path - combatant, civilian or otherwise. However, the timely interventions of these bloody-handed reavers in various war zones, often helped provide the killing strike where an impasse had been reached - breaking a strategic deadlock in a single furious attack which sent an enemy reeling.

The resultant Imperial victories, however, often came at a dire cost as these assaults would often end in only one of two ways: victorious slaughter or massive carnage, either of which left the foe in no condition to resist further. The intervention of these Astartes also left heavy collateral damage, resulting in the destruction of vital planetary infrastructure or heavy losses to Imperial forces that had strayed too close to the carnage unleashed by these ravaging killers. Once the dust had settled, this mysterious force of deadly transhuman warriors had already taken their leave - uncaring of honours or accolades - to seek out their next military objective, driven to continue battling the enemies of Mankind across the width and breadth of the galaxy on their perpetual Crusade.

 Notable Campaigns

 * Vengeance from the Void (Unknown Date.M32) - This the first recorded battle honour of the Megalodons Chapter within their Chapter's archives. Across a hundred scattered systems in the western marches of the Segmentum Solar, cult uprisings led by a core Heretic Astartes drawn from the Iron Warriors, Night Lords and World Eaters Traitor Legions bring entire planetary governments to their knees in a year of blood and anarchy. With whole sections on the brink of collapse, events take a dramatic turn when a combined force of several notable, bellicose Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes including; the Carcharodons, Minotaurs, Death Eagles and Angels of Absolution mobilise to response the invading Forces of Chaos. Emerging from the black depths beyond the spiral arm, they launch a sudden and overwhelming attack directly upon the uprising's command. Meanwhile, an unidentified force of dark-grey clad Astartes bearing strange totemic iconography and the sigil of a massive bloody-mawed shark, launched a series of hit-and-run attacks upon the trailing edge of the Chaos fleet vessels, leaving a trail of carnage and destruction that gave the heretic forces pause. Just as the Forces of Chaos attempted to launch a counter-strike, this relic fleet of battered, dark-grey coloured vessels disappeared back into void, only to reappear and strike at the Chaos vessels from another position. Several smaller vessels broke away from the larger Chaos fleet and attempted flee, but were quickly pursued by several of these relic Imperial vessels, which circled in for the kill. At this point, the rest of their mighty Chapter fleet suddenly appeared from the depths of the warp, to take part in the 'feeding frenzy'. The Imperial vessels systematically stripped the stricken heretic vessels of their protection systems and disabled their engines, then they proceed to launch their Ursus Claws - large lances attached to massive chains - puncturing the hulls of the enemy vessels, then slowly dragged them in close-proximity, so that the the Imperial vessels could launch an all-out boarding assault. Later, Imperial investigators came across several scenes of derelict, heretic vessels drifting aimlessly in the void. When they investigated the interior of these stricken vessels, they were taken aback by the nightmarish scenes of carnage and destruction that greeted them, as these vessels had all been left as bloody abattoirs. The interior of these vessels were stripped of all vital arms, equipment, strike craft, vehicles and data-cores. Of these vessels' attackers all that could be retrieved were several grainy pict-captures, clearly identified as an attacking force of Adeptus Astartes, whose left shoulder pauldrons bore an unknown sigil of a large black shark with a bloody maw. These mysterious Astartes bore all manner of relic wargear and equipment, but with significant levels of non-standard alterations. The images acquired from these derelict vessels would later be passed on to higher Imperial authorities for further investigation and scrutiny. However, the identity of this mysterious attacking force has never been conclusively identified.

 Officer Ranks

 * Void Lord - Chapter Master equivalent.
 * Ravager Lord - Captain equivalent.
 * Sub-Commander - Lieutenant equivalent.

 Line Ranks

 * Bull Primus - Veteran Sergeant equivalent.
 * Bull - Sergeant equivalent.
 * Void-Brother - Battle-Brother equivalent.
 * Pup - Neophyte equivalent.
 * Round Back - A derogatory term meaning, 'one with no fin'. A term utilised by the Astartes of the Chapter when referring to an Aspirant.

 Specialist Formations

 * Bloody Maw - The Bloody Maw are the Terminator armoured-elite veteran warriors of the Chapter, so-named for the sudden onset of their anger and the lasting fervour of their hate as they rip apart their foes in a hail of blood, viscera and torn limbs with their chain weapons and deadly claws. When not in battle they habitually remain armed and armoured at all times, even when aboard their own vessels. These deadly warriors stand out amongst their fellow warriors as their shoulder pauldron insets are painted a deep red - the colour of spilled blood. Their battle-plate is heavily inscribed with red exile markings and decorated with hanging yellowed predator incisors that are collected from the apex predators of their recruitment world. When unleashed in battle, it is considered a special privilege to witness the elemental destruction unleashed by these ferocious warriors when they are called upon to render the Void Lord's judgement. These consummate warriors are often seconded to various Shoals to supplement their fighting power. They also serve an additional purpose. Acting on behalf of the Chapter's Void Lord, they are responsible for overseeing the most vital of missions - usually tithings - to ensure that the overriding objectives are met and the Chapter's needs satisfied. This is especially important as the Chapter's individual Shoals often spend several years, or even decades, separate from the main Nomad Predation fleet. In such circumstances the Bloody Maw are responsible for seeing the orders of their Chapter Master carried out. However, when they are assigned to the command of a Ravager-Lord, they are bound to follow his order, provided they do not directly contradict the mission assigned by the Chapter or countermand the Void Lord's orders.
 * Blood Seekers Scout Squads - The Megalodons do not utilise Scout Marines, which in other Chapters are young, inexperienced recruits. Instead, these hunters are experienced veteran warriors who have mastered their Chapter's genetic flaw, and prefer solitude rather than serving alongside their fellow warriors in a Slew. Known as Blood Seekers, these squads specialise in reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering and are consummate masters of stealth, infiltration and sabotage deep behind enemy lines. This warrior elite act as the eyes and ears of their Chapter in the field, armed and equipped with a variety of specialised wargear including long-range weaponry, sensory auspex and stealth gear. Serving as scouts and intelligence gatherers, identifying targets and gathering information on enemy movements and strengths, they also serve as pickets, saboteurs, raiders and snipers where needed, and in open battle are experts in sudden flanking manoeuvres and infiltration attacks in support of the Chapter's main force.
 * Ripteeth Breacher Assault Squads - Pups of the Megalodons are those newly inducted junior Astartes that are still struggling to control their inherent rage. These newly inducted warriors are notoriously savage and fiercely aggressive. Hot-headed and impetuous, these young warriors cannot wait to prove themselves, charging headlong at the frontlines of the enemy in their efforts to prove themselves to their elder brethren. They prefer to fight at close quarters and are armed with melee weapons such as chain weapons and bolt pistols. Ripteeth are the shock troops of the Megalodons and spearhead the majority of their line-breaker and void-borne assaults. If they survive to become mature and capable warriors, they will eventually be elevated to the elite ranks of the Void-Brothers.

 Unit Formations

 * Shoal - Company formation equivalent.
 * Slew - Squad formation equivalent.

 Squad Designations

 * Long Fins - Veteran Squad equivalent.
 * Fighting Jaws - Tactical Squad equivalent.
 * Ripping Jaws - Assault Squad equivalent.
 * Tearing Jaws - Devastator Squad equivalent.

 Laws of Monatoa

 * Hunt: The Megalodons have duties as both the chosen warriors of Monatoa and His protectors. They were designed to be predators of the highest order, and their actions affect the Great Sea (galaxy) around them. This tenet reminds a Void-Brother that they are warriors and predators above everything else.
 * Survive: The Chapter must survive, no matter the cost. The Megalodons believe that there is only foolishness, not honour, in fighting a battle they cannot win. No Void-Brother would accuse another of cowardice if they were forced to 'swim' away from a fight that is hopeless. The only exception is sacrifice in the name of a Spawn Hold (gene-seed repository), which is expected to be defended to the last breath.
 * Spawn: Creating new generation of Astartes is slow but deliberate process. This part of the code also obliges a Void-Brother to teach and mentor young Pups in the ways of the Chapter.
 * Swim: The Megalodons consider it a duty to continue to swim through the Dark Ocean, explore, and move. They need to watch for dangers threatening the realm of Monatoa, and the best way to do this is to move around and keep their eyes open.

 Primarch's Curse: (Blood Frenzy)
Despite the relative purity of the Megalodons' gene-seed, some flaws do exist. The violent aggression of their namesake is inherent in the Megalodons' genetics. Known as 'Blood Frenzy', a Void-Brother is subjected to a mindless and furious rage caused by the scent of blood. The Astartes of this Chapter posses powerful olfactory senses, which allows them to detect scents at several parts per million, and allows them to track a foe from great distances. However, the scent of blood calls to a darker instinct, driving them to hunt, kill and in some cases, to consume. This means that even the most mentally stable and strong-willed Megalodon feels the touch of the Blood Frenzy, knowing full well that it is only a matter of time before they succumb and the madness takes them completely.

For this reason, Void-Brothers (often younger than two centuries) are not permitted to remove their helmets on the field of battle, as the strong scent of spilled blood can drive them into a berserker frenzy, and fall into the throes of the Blood Frenzy. The presence of an inordinate amount of blood spewing forth from the severed limbs or a decapitated head of a slain enemy can cause those Void-Brothers in the throes of the Blood Frenzy to tear off their helmets and attack their victims with their sharpened incisors, until they have gorged themselves on the precious vitae and sate their ravenous appetite.

Due to this flaw, much of the Chapter's training during their time as Pups is given over to meditation in order to help them control and suppress this innate desire to Frenzy, as it is known within the Chapter. These practices are continued throughout a Void-Brother's life, and even the Void Lord is known to meditate to help overcome these urges, as no Megalodon is immune to the effects of this inherent flaw.

When the Chapter's genetic curse manifests itself in an affected Battle-Brother, it comes on in three stages:

 Notable Members

 * Mairo Akarana - "Bitter Tide" -


 * Karkha Watihana - "First-to-Kill" -


 * Mikaere Tapihana - "Striking Tail" -


 * Lexcha Natana - "No-Prey-Remains" -


 * Amako Herangi - "Wave-Crest" -


 * Manu Watihana - "Guards-the-Shoals" -


 * Maaka Arono - "Bloodscent" -


 * Ixya Pekama - "Half-Tail" -


 * Galchurva Hakopa - "Bleeds-Night" -


 * Tua Karauna - "Darkwater" -


 * Maka Tahana - "Leaps-to-the-Kill" -


 * Hemana Tamihana "Riptide" -


 * Etano Afamasaga - "Storm-Jaws" -


 * Ariki Karaka - "Dark-Tide" - Chief Librarian.


 * "Blood-Maw" - Honoured Ancient.


 * "Razor-Tooth" - Honoured Ancient.

 By the Megalodons
"When I travel the Dark Ocean, I feel the pain of the Great Wound. Each day, when Monatoa's anguish begins anew, I hear His cries, and I long only to fill the void with the blood of His enemies. In those moments of pure rage when I rip apart the enemy, I no longer feel His pain, and neither, perhaps, does He."

- Ariki Karaka, "Dark-Tide", Chief Librarian

 About the Megalodons
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