Impalers

The Impalers are a notorious Successor Chapter created from the lineage of the proud and noble Blood Angels during an Unknown Founding. However, extant records indicate, based on eye-witness accounts and circumstantial evidence, that this Chapter was perhaps one of the many ill-fated Chapters created during the lamentable 21st Founding, the so-called 'Cursed' Founding.

A Chapter wearing similar deep red and black livery, known as the Scarlet Scions, first appeared in official Imperial records sometime in M36, following the tragic events of the Reign of Blood. At first, this unknown Chapter appeared to help bring stability to a galaxy rife with civil discord. However, within only a matter of decades, it was apparent that there were some unexpected genetic idiosyncrasies passed on from their genetic forbears to this newest generation of Scions of Sanguinius - an unnatural craving for blood and an insatiable drive to enact retribution against those that dared turn from the light of the Emperor - often in ways both horrifying and extremely more barbaric, as time went on. The preferred method of punishment utilised by these unforgiving Astartes against those that transgressed against the rightful rule of the Emperor was impalement, thus earning this bellicose and savage Chapter the appropriate moniker they would forever after be known and judged by - 'Impalers'.

Like some of their fellow Chapters of the Blood, the Impalers prefer to shield their faces from those they fight alongside. This may be due to their Astartes being heavily afflicted by what the Chapter terms as the ' Blood Thirst '. The resulting brutality often enacted during one of their campaigns has led to their being investigated on a number of occasions on charges of heresy and corruption by the Inquisition, but they have been cleared of suspicion, for the time being.

Chapter History
The Impalers are one of several Chapters that were created from the genetic lineage of the great angelic Primarch Sanguinius. However, like many Chapters created during the latter millennia, they too, are greatly afflicted by the genetic twin-curses of their genesire's bloodline. Though official Imperial records do not indicate the exact date in which they were created, extant records point to the timing in which a mysterious Chapter, known as the Scarlet Scions, appeared sometime following the lamentable events of the Reign of Blood sometime in M36. More than likely, they were a part of the ill-fated 21st Founding, which took place sometime in M35 or late M36. The focus of this particular Founding by the Adeptus Mechanicus was to attempt to perfect and remove existing identified deficiencies in the various gene-seed of several well known genetic lines. Though initially deemed successful, soon many of these Chapters were plagued by spontaneous random mutations or devolved into something no longer human or sane. Fortunately, the Scarlet Scions were spared such a horrific fate. Initially, the newly created Chapter only suffered minor cosmetic and physical changes such as pale skin, loss of hair and pointed teeth.

The Scarlet Scions quickly earned a laudable record of success through their zealous persecution of the Forces of Chaos - a well-deserved reputation that has not waned over the course of their history. Utilised as a shock assault force, on every occasion the Scarlet Scions were unleashed against a recalcitrant world or xenos threat, they performed their duties with almost gleeful savagery, tearing apart whatever enemy it was given to fight without mercy or falter, regardless of its own losses and heedless of the risk. Over time, the Chapter was increasingly deemed by the High Lords of Terra as being more suitable for use against targets where annihilation was the goal rather than liberation, a task to which they seemed eminently suited.

Despite their early record of impressive tallies of victory and the initial success of their newly created gene-seed, after several decades, it became readily apparent that the Chapter's gene-seed had also inherited the lamentable twin-genetic curses that afflicted those Chapters that hailed from the line of the Great Angels, despite the best attempts of the Magos Biologis genetors to remove them. The Scarlet Scions began to display troubling tendencies for extreme demonstrations of cruelty and savagery on an unparalleled level, often with complete disregard for innocent human life and collateral damage. On several occasions, their allies were greeted by the sickening sights of dismemberment, crucifixions and even impaling, the latter torture becoming the calling card of this unforgiving Chapter, as well giving them their new moniker - the 'Impalers'. Such barbaric displays of butchery and savagery have done little to enhance their standing. The Impalers' bellicose and ruthless demeanour has earned them an unsavoury reputation amongst the Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes, and Imperial commanders and planetary governors are wont to embrace the aid of these bloodthirsty and savage Astartes, except in only the direst of circumstances.

During this era, the Impalers constantly crusaded across the width and breadth of the galaxy, destroying any and all heretics, mutants or xenos that dared to cross their path. Whispers of their brutality circulated amongst the nobles of the Terran court, going so far as to reach the ears of the High Twelve themselves. However, the degree of success achieved by the Impalers in achieving their objective and bringing swift retribution against rebellious worlds bringing them back into the Imperial fold, was nearly unparalleled. During this tumultuous era, as the Imperium recovered from the treachery of the mad High Lord Goge Vandire, results were valued far more than the means in which this blood-handed Chapter conducted their campaigns. The Chapter seemed to be given carte blanche to enact their bloody-handed form of retribution, as they saw fit. As such, there were no investigations into the savage rumours that accompanied the Impalers' implacable advance across the stars.

Over time, the Impalers continued to earn a dreadful reputation for savagery. Despite their laudable and impressive tally of victories, many of their erstwhile allies have begun to question this Chapter's conduct in their prosecution. Though none would gainsay the Impalers effectiveness in battle, there are many who have fought alongside the Impalers who found the Astartes of this Chapter to often be unpredictable, intemperate and dangerous to anything that stands in their path - combatant, civilian or otherwise. Rumours have even began to circulate that the Impalers have, at times, put to the sword human regiments of the Astra Militarum or local Planetary Defence Forces they see as failing them in battle. Due to the inherent distrust and aura of malice surrounding this Chapter, the Impalers often keep a guarded distance from other Adeptus Astartes Chapters. Only time will tell whether their genetic deficiencies or growing psychosis will be their undoing.

Specialist Formations

 * Coterie - Company equivalent.
 * Brood - Squad equivalent.

Relations
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Allies
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Notable Quotes
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By the Impalers
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