Nova Blades

Nova Blades
The Nova Blades, were a Third Founding Successor Legion of the resolute White Scars. At some point during the early 33rd Millennium, the Nova Blades were created in the wake of the dark times of the Nova Terra Interregnum. Like their progenitors, the Nova Blades make use of ritual facial scarring to denote both the rank and achievements of Astartes in the Legion.

These scars are applied during a long, sacred Chapter ceremony called "the Blooding." The blood drawn from the faces of the Space Marines during this ritual is then mixed with the drinks served during the feast that always follows the completion of the ceremony.

Legion History
The Nova Blades are a Successor Legion created as a part of the massive Third Founding in 098.M33. Descended from the venerable White Scars genestock. The Nova Blades brought honour and glory to their designated Legion number over the next millennia of faithful service. The Nova Blades continued to faithfully serve the Imperium of Man for the next couple of decades.

Nova Terra Interregnum
Beginning in 075.M33, the Ur-Council of Nova Terra declared independence from the rule of the High Lords of Terra, and declared the whole Segmentum Pacificus independent of Imperial rule. They had grown disenfranchised with the burgeoning Imperial state religion, in the form of the religious organisation known as the Ecclesiarchy, that zealously promoted the worship of the Emperor of Mankind as the one, true God of Humanity. To compound the secession of the Segmentum Pacificus, two First Founding Space Marine Legions, the feral Space Wolves and the stoic Iron Hands, joined the rebellious Ur-Council of Nova Terra. The two Primarchs were later followed by a number of Legion Masters, including the Nova Blades', who also joined the Secessionist's cause. The Nova Blades were once counted as one of the most loyal legions that had served the Imperium of Man. Many Imperial Scholars debate to this day the reasons the Nova Blades seceded from the Imperium. The only one aspect that is agreed upon is that the Ecclesiarchy is the biggest cause of this once loyal and venerable legion turning traitor.

Sharing their forefather's battle lust and aggressive style of lightning warfare, the Nova Blades have a troubled history. Though they have won great victories in the Imperium's name, questions remain regarding the stability of their gene-seed. For their part, the Nova Blades are concerned only with the next mission.