Wolves of Retribution

There are many tales of loyal Chapters falling to the temptations of Chaos. Some falls are obvious, such as the infamous Crimson Sabers, while others are surprising. The fall of the Wolves of Retribution falls into the latter category. Once, they were proud heralds of the God Emperor but now they are heralds of damnation. Where the Wolves of Retribution marched they now charge in a zealous rage, chanting in a foul tongue as they burn renegade, xenos and imperial alike for, in their eyes, they are all heretics who stand against the true religion of the God-Emperor.

It is perhaps the greatest misfortune that the Wolves of Retribution cannot see what they have become. They still see themselves as the loyal warriors of the Emperor, blind to the chaotic corruption that warps their armour, twists their flesh and perverts their scripture. The angels they fight alongside are daemons of the Octed. Even the fire they hold sacred has been turned by the warp, damning the souls they claim to save.

History
The origins of the Wolves of Retribution are unknown. Their founding nor gene-seed origin is not recorded. They have been located in the Ghoul Stars for millennia, claiming the planet of Cythron and it's moon, Elboros, as theirs. Even from the start of their recorded history they were noted for their particular worship of the Emperor of Mankind, following their own strict interpretation of the Imperial Creed. The Wolves were fanatics to the extreme, iconoclasts who burned all that was an affront to the Emperor to ash. In battle, their allies saw them as a charging mass of zealots who cried out praises to the Emperor as they broke the enemy lines and rampaged through cities with fire. It was to the point that if they felt the corruption ran too deep than the Wolves would not hesitate in slaughtering the entire civilian population and razing the world to the ground.

Even Imperial institutions were not safe. Planetary churches, Astra Militarum Regiments and even other Astartes Chapters would be criticized by the Wolves over a differing view on a piece of the Imperial Creed or for some unknowable sin.

Wolf and Kaiser
The Wolves' extreme views earned them little friends amongst the Adeptus Astartes and other Imperial organisations save for other hardline priests in the Ecclesiarchy and the Mordekaisers, a Chapter who operates in the Ghoul Stars. Despite the Mordekaisers' tendency to wear their battle damage on even the holy Aquila, their loyalty to the Emperor is unquestioning and their willingness to fight alongside them was admirable. While the two Chapters differed culturally, their skills in battle complemented each other well. In fact it has been recorded that Markus Stahlhelm, Kaiser of the Mordekaisers, and Raedwald Harus, Chapter Master of the Wolves of Retribution had become quite close friends over their campaigns together.

A Fell Revelation
Though many considered the Wolves of Retribution extreme, even by the standards of inquisitors and strict preachers, few took issue with their crusades of faith that brought down countless demagogues and returned worlds to the Imperium's fold. Alas, it was inevitable for the Wolves to finally go to far and so they did in the 41st Millennium. Battle reports rose of the Wolves of Retribution burning entire cities to the ground and wiping out Astra Militarum regiments on the grounds of being "tainted". It was also revealed that Ecclesiarchy and Adepta Soritas missions had been also purged. This raised eyebrows, to level cities and slaughter regiments on mere suspicion was concerning enough but accusing Soritas convents and churches for heresy was a different level. At first the Mordekaisers contacted the Wolves in an attempt to receive any evidence of these accusation but they went unanswered, an unusual occurrence. In order to fully investigate this matter, an Inquisitor, Jolan Heika, was sent to the worlds where the incidents took place. There he found logs and pict-captures and what he saw sent shock waves throughout the Ghoul Stars, the Mordekaisers and the Ecclesiarchy.

The cities, regiments and missions had no signs of corruption nor did they have any heretical deviations. However the Wolves sentenced them for their lack of devotion to the God-Emperor. In the eyes of the Wolves, these condemned were not as devoted as they should've been. This act went beyond all notion of purity for the Imperium. At the same time, Kaiser Markus Stahlhelm, Kaiser of the Mordekaisers, received a message from Raedwald Harus, Chapter Master of the Wolves of Retribution. To the Kaiser's confusion, the message consisted of insane ranting and murmured prayer that ended, to the Kaiser's horror, with a declaration that the Imperium was rife with heresy and must be purged. Already aware of the investigation into the Wolves, who were close friends with the Mordekaisers, contacted Inquisitor Heika with this new development and immediately set out for the Wolves of Retribution homeworld of Cythron in order to confront them.

But it was too late. Far too late.

When Heika and the Mordekaisers reached Cythron they found only a burnt wasteland with all life destroyed. The Fortress Monastery, Elboros, was abandoned and filled with scenes of the Wolves' rampage. Chapter serfs had been placed in piles and used as makeshift fuel for fire pits to burn "heretics" alive, Astartes were placed in cages and similarly set alight and holy books and iconography were burned and defiled and replaced by crude icons that could only be marks of Chaos that yet praised the Emperor's name. The only living being they found was the burned form of 2nd Captain Valden, of the Wolves' 2nd Company, tied to a stake in the center of what was once the Chapter's reclusium. In his final moments, Valden told them that he had been sacrificed to the Emperor to light the way to their new fortress from where the Wolves of Retribution will mount their noble crusade to save the God-Emperor from the Imperium's heresy. He died before he would reveal their destination, his final words being a declaration of the Wolves' of Retribution loyalty to the God-Emperor of Mankind, ignorant of the fact that his left arm was turning into a daemonic claw.

Inquisitor Heika declared the Wolves of Retribution to be Excommunicate Traitoris. Since then, there have been sightings of Heretic Astartes bearing the colours of the once loyal chapter rampaging through worlds controlled by Imperial, xenos and Chaos alike in their burning rages.

Delusional Loyalty
For the horror that the Wolves of Retribution have become, perhaps the worst of all is that they still see themselves as loyal Astartes. In their insane delusions they see themselves bearing the aquila with pride as they purged Chaotic filth from the Galaxy when, in fact, their foes see howling creatures in warp-twisted armour. Their Imperial Creed has long since twisted into the black tongue of the Warp and the "angels" they fight alongside are daemons that resemble golden armoured saints of the Emperor in the Wolves' blinded sight. If the Wolves' were able to see clearly for a moment then perhaps they would see the world on which they had just built a temple dedicated to the God Emperor was in fact a burning waste laden with effigies to Chaos Undivided and, perhaps, make them see just how low they've fallen.

Present Day
Since their fall, the Wolves of Retribution have rampaged through the Imperium and the Eye of Terror in their crusade to rescue the God-Emperor from the heretical Imperium. In the years of the 42nd Millennium it is believed they have become even more enraged by the resurrection of Roboute Guilliman, Primarch of the Ultramarines, and the newly arrived Primaris Marines. Though the Primarch is a creation of the God-Emperor, his denouncement of His divinity is blasphemy to the Wolves and the mere existence of the Primaris is seen as insult to the holy form of the Astartes.

Notable Campaigns

 * The Doyan Heresy (Unknown Date.M39) - Cardinal Doyan goes rogue and declares independence from the Imperium. The Wolves of Retribution, sent to quell the rebellion, burn Doyan and his extravagant palace to the ground, with Doyan and three quarters of the city's population inside. The rebellion swiftly surrenders and returns to the Imperium.
 * Kilmos Crusade (Unknown Date.M39) - The Wolves go on a crusade in the Ghoul Stars alongside the Mordekaisers. Despite a huge cultural difference, the two Chapters become firm friends.
 * The Wolves' Treachery (560.M40) - The Wolves of Retribution are discovered to have been executing entire Regiments and Ecclesiarchy convents. Upon being declared heretics the Wolves turn traitor, declaring that it is, in fact, the Imperium who are heretics and vow to crusade against their false religion.
 * Cadros Slaughter (Unknown Date.M41 - The Wolves of Retribution invade the shrine world of Cadros. Despite heavy resistance, the Wolves overrun the defenses and burn the entire Clergy at the stake. Once the world had been suitably desecrated, the Wolves leave with several thousand new "converts".
 * A new Crusade (Unknown Date.M42) - When the Great Rift splits the Galaxy in two, Raedwald Harus proclaims it to be a sign of the Emperor's wrath. With their fury and resolve bolstered, the Wolves of Retribution attack like never before and put hundreds of Imperial, xeno, and Chaos worlds to the sword.

Organisation
As a loyal Chapter, the Wolves of Retribution largely followed the Codex Astartes but ignored it's tenants on faith for their own creed. They also placed a heavy emphasis on flamer weapons and close assault tactics, exchanging a devastator squad for an extra assault squad. The command hierarchy was also different in that it was common for Captains to have once served as a Chaplain. What's more the Chapter Master also served as the Reclusiarch, leading the Chapter in battle and worship. Due to the Chapter's focus on faith, Chaplains seemed to have held just as much command as a captain would and it was common for chaplains to lead Companies as they mentored newly promoted captains in leadership.

When they broke away from the Imperium, the once disciplined Chapter has degenerated into a warband of insane zealots. Casting off the blasphemous Codex Astartes the Wolves' numbers have grown over the 1000 marine limit and possibly over 2000 strong, a number further augmented by cultists and daemonic allies. The rank of captains has also been phased out and replaced by the leadership of the Chaplains, now called Redeemers, who fulfill a similar role to the Dark Apostles of the Word Bearers traitor legion. The Chaos Lord also keeps his command over the Redeemers and warband, bearing the title of Lord Preacher.

The organisation has also been lost. Companies now vary in different sizes and are named "Clergy". Captains have been replaced by Redeemers and sergeants are called "Clerics". The hordes of cultist the Wolves have amassed are named Flocks and are often led into battle by an Astartes called a Deacon. While the Company has changed, squads have remained the same; there are still tactical, devastator and assault squads however the numbers in an individual squad may vary as well.

Combat Doctrine
Even before their fall, the Wolves of Retribution rarely fought apart. They preferred to overwhelm their foes en mass. Now as a much larger warband, hundreds of howling fanatics bear down on worlds with hordes of cultists and daemons, who they see as angels, at their side. Flamers and meltas are heavily employed in order to burn away heretics and cleanse their souls. Raptor squads sail through the air and target key figures and religious areas in order to break the enemy's spirit as they see their heretical leaders and shrines butchered and burned. Helbrutes and daemon engines, who are simply holy creatures in the Wolves' eyes, are set loose to wreak further havoc.

Chapter Beliefs & Traditions
In their loyal years, the Wolves of Retribution maintained a strong religious devotion to the Emperor. Worship was a major part of the Wolves' lives and many Wolves would spend their time in contemplation of the Imperial Creed or inscribing their armour with holy scripture. Even the Chapter's serfs were adherents to the hardline faith of the Wolves.

A notable tradition of the Wolves was the "Baptism". When a neophyte passed his final trials and received his black carapace, he would hold his right arm over a fire and allow it to burn black. Once the arm is charred and burned, he would be gifted his power armour. This why the right arm of the Wolves' armour is black; a sign of their burning devotion. These practices continue on the traitor warband that the Wolves became.

As traitors, the Wolves continue their beliefs and traditions, or so they think. Sermons preached by the Redeemers sound like the blessed praises to the Emperor are in fact chants screeched out in the dark tongue of the Warp in veneration to the gods of Chaos. Rituals that bring forth holy angels are in fact daemon possessions and summons.

Gene-Seed
While there is no knowledge of its origins, the Wolves' of Retribution gene-seed was considered to be pure. Although now it can only be considered the opposite for mutation, possession and chaotic corruption has surely warped the Wolves' gene seed. What's more a warp phenomena appears to have manifested within the Wolves. Every member's eyes appear to be on fire to no ill effect save for that it may be the reason why the Wolves are so blind to their heresy.

Since the Wolves turned traitor, the gene-seed of renegade chapters and traitor legions have been seen within the Wolves' ranks.

Chapter Recruitment
The Wolves of Retribution once recruited from their homeworld of Cythron, a feudal planet where the Wolves instilled their hardline interpretation of the Imperial Creed. Only the most faithful and strongest of aspirants could join the Chapter's brotherhood.

Alas, the people's faith was not enough to save them when the Wolves fell from grace, their own homeworld became the traitors' first target. In one night, Cythron burned to ash as the Wolves of Retribution slaughtered the only people who faithfully followed the Wolves' creed. Only a generation of suitable aspirants were spared and taken with the Wolves on their crusade.

Now, presumed to be a fleet based warband, the Wolves of Retribution draw aspirants from planets they conquer in their crusade. Putting them through breaking trials and hyno-sessions to brainwash them into unshakable warriors of their faith. Interestingly, the Wolves also take in "converts" from cults and other traitor warbands if they are found to be redeemable.

Fleet
The Wolves of Retribution fleet has undergone significant changes since the Chapter's fall. New vessels have joined it after being captured in battle and many ships have been transformed into icons of the Chaos pantheon, some even becoming infamous Daemonships. Of course, the Wolves cannot see this. For instead the Wolves see shining glorious ships with holy icons of the God Emperor.

Notable Members
Raedwald Harus - Raedwald Harus is the Lord Preacher of the Wolves of Retribution and once it's Chapter Master and Reclusiarch. Ascending in the early 40th Millennium, Harus solidified his rule and led the Chapter in their duty. He had also struck up a friendship with Markus Stahlhelm, Kaiser of the Mordekaisers Chapter. Ever the speech-maker, Harus is well known for his skill and charisma in converting entire worlds to the Wolves' Imperial Creed. Alas, this skill has continued as he and his Chapter descended into heresy. Now he blindly leads his equally delusional Chapter in their crusade to burn down the heretical Imperium.

Redeemer Malakus - Malakus is the second most powerful Redeemer below Harus. Following his lord into heresy, Malakus rules the second Clergy with an iron fist after sacrificing the captain when the Chapter turned traitor. He is also renowned for ordering entire worlds to burn at a time should he deem them unworthy.

2nd Captain Valden - Valden was captain of the Second Company, leading it for around 150 years until the fall. Described as boisterous, yet faithful, warrior, Valden was the perfect servant of the Emperor in the Wolves' eyes. However, his skilled blade arm and wit did not stop him from being a sacrifice in the night the Wolves turned from the Imperium. Disturbingly, Valden was a willing victim in being burned alive so that his brothers would be blessed by the Emperor.

Brother Julan - Brother Julan was a battle brother in the 4th Company who had fought alongside the Mordekaisers in the Kilmos Crusades. For having done so, he received a scratch on his left kneeplate as a mark of the Mordekaisers' friendship. It was this mark that aided in identifying his body in the ruins of the Wolves' fortress monastery, having apparently been killed by his turncoat brothers for refusing to turn against the Imperium.

Appearance
Once the Wolves of Retribution were icons of faith, proudly wearing purity seals and carving scriptures and fire motifs on their armour. As traitors they still believe they are like this, but to everyone else they look far different. To all but themselves, the Wolves of Retribution are howling heretic astartes in warp twisted armour that bear unholy markings. Many bear horrific mutations like claws or sword-arms while others are literally on fire.

Colours
The Wolves of Retribution paint their armour a deep crimson and the right arm and power pack is painted black to signify their initiation ritual.

Badge
The Wolves' of Retribution badge is a wolf's head in a fire. As a traitor warband they have kept this icon save for the wolf's eye pupil to be gone and it's mouth wide open, signifying their burning rage.

By the Warband
"Onward brothers! Purge this unholy world! Cast down their false churches! Burn their priests! Death to the false religion!"

- Lord Preacher Raedwald Harus

About the Warband
"For five hundred years I counted the Wolves of Retribution as friends, I counted Raedwald Harus as my brother. Now I can only count them as enemies. It is easy to hate other Chapters who turn traitor. But it's difficult to hate your own friends without mourning them."

- Kaiser Markus Stahlhelm reflecting on the fall of the Wolves of Retribution.