Legacy of the Bears

The Legacy of the Bears was a momentous event that occurred in the annals of the Bears of the Claw Space Marine Chapter, when they were granted the honour by the High Lords of Terra to pass on their genetic legacy to a Successor Chapter created from their lineage. This Chapter was created during the 23rd Founding, the so-called 'Sentinel' Founding, which took place some time in the latter years of M37. Known initially as the Dark Claws Chapter, they would later be assigned to stand sentinel in the Aliris Sector located in the Segmentum Obscurus, claiming the verdant death world of Arktos as their own. The would later rename themselves as the Claws of Arktos Chapter.

Background
During the latter years of M37, the 23rd Founding, which was instituted by order of the High Lords of Terra. This was a series of linked foundings instituted by the Imperium to help restore order to a galaxy rife with civil discourse and strife. A new Chapter, the Dark Claws, was created from the lineage of the fierce and savage Bears of the Claw. Given their relative youth as a Chapter at the time, this was a testament to the high regard in which the Bears of the Claw were held by the High Twelves. They were granted this esteem honour in recognition for their loyal and stalwart service during the preceding millenium, which was marked by such calamities as the Age of Apostasy, the disastrous 21st 'Cursed' Founding, attacks by the Forces of Chaos and a rampage of Orks that had been left almost unchecked along the frontier of the Imperium's borders.

The Bears of the Claw were selected for their loyalty, dedication and most importantly, their strength and fortitude, making them an ideal Chapter to be selected to have their lineage passed on. According to extant Imperial records, no fewer than 57 Space Marine Chapters had been destroyed, turned renegade or declared lost in the Warp during the preceding millennium. The newly created Dark Claws Chapter were created as one of several new replacement Chapters to help stand sentinel against the myriad of threats that assailed the Imperium on all sides. Following the inception and indoctrination by their progenitors, the Dark Claws were assigned to help defend the Aliris Sector. They were stationed as one of several Space Marine Chapters assigned to the