Novus Krakens

The Novus Krakens are a Codex-Divergent Chapter of Loyalist Space Marines with an unknown progenitor and founding. Records that were once in the Librarium of the Chapter's Fortress Monastery once contained a wealth of information about the Chapter's actions that suggested it was founded in the 26th founding. However, the specifics of their founding were lost after the destruction of their Fortress Monastery during The Fall of Mobidium, and such knowledge has been permanently lost.

Their nature and specialty make the Astartes of the Novus KrakensChapter not only formidable foes but ferocious and loyal allies. For this, they are respected in spite of the Gene-Seed flaw that makes them volatile.

History
Due to The Fall of Mobidium, information regarding their founding has been lost, leaving only the bare minimum of their history remaining. The Death World of Mobidium was given to them to serve as the Chapter's homeworld. The planet was also unofficially classified as an "Aquatic World". The Novus Krakens are not known very well throughout the Imperium, generally being uninvolved in affairs beyond sub-sector Estuarium within the Orpheus Sector.

The Death World of Mobidium had roughly 93% of its surface covered in oceans, with the human population of the planet scattered among the many islands dotting the waters.

The Purge of Ildebad [ 835.M41 -- 837.M41 ]

 * "We, the Emperor's Angels of Death, will soon descend upon the foul xenos. When they look into the skies, they will gaze in terror of the fate that awaits them: the might and fury of my brothers, the architects of their demise; the Novus Krakens."
 * —Captain Kuram Androk of the 2nd Company upon arrival to Ildebad.

In the year 835.M41, the Novus Krakens intercepted an emergency transmission from the Hive World Ildebad. The local Planetary Defense Force and regiment of the Astra Militarum requested assistance in defending the world from the assault of an Ork WAAAGH!! that had recently touched down on the planet and united the local feral orks. The Novus Krakens chapter responded to this by sending the 2nd company with some squads from the 1st company, and eventually was reinforced by the 6th, 8th, and 9th companies.

Soon after arriving planetside, the Novus Krakens were met with more than just Ork resistance. Eldar had also established themselves on the planet, making quick calculated strikes against the Space Marines. Capain Kuram Androk used his experience and knowledge of previous confrontations and encounters with the Eldar in the Imperium, and surmised that Necrons or Dark Eldar had also found a foothold on the planet. His suspicion went as far as to inquire if the ruinous powers of Chaos had also found a bastion on this world. Their Strike Cruiser in orbit, The Blade of Storms, was put to monitoring the system for any incoming battlefleets and surges in warp activity.

The earliest offensive saw great success by the chapter, making large gains against the vast green tide. However, attempts to advance further soon ground to a halt. The orks had set up sizable defenses quite unlike normal ork tactics, and Eldar raiding squads frequently destroyed their convoys. Now weakened, the Space Marines began building more defenses to await the command to fight on once more. During their preparations, the green tide pushed hard once more into the Novus Krakens positions. With defenses unprepared, and supplies low, it was inevitable that the Space Marines would be forced to retreat. With few defensive lines prepared, Captain Androk commanded the local Imperial Guard regiments to fortify and reinforce the most immediate lines of defense, and to abandon the outer lines until the fallback lines were completed. Many Novus Krakens Space Marines gave their lives against the ork assaults to buy time for the Imperial Guard to garrison what lines they could the best they can. When preparations were complete enough, the Space Marines retreated to the new front line, and all of their operations were confined to the areas controlled by the Hive City Ilmanzaura. It was an embarrassment for the chapter to have all their efforts be so effectively countered, and began a war of attrition to replenish the ranks of 2nd Company. Kuram Androk formally sent a request to Chapter Master Hargus Meltrak for reinforcements. Many Space Marines of the chapter refer to this period as a shameful tactical error.

Holding position with the Imperial Guardsmen Proved difficult with the accelerated assaults by the Orks. Communications with outposts on the edges of the first line ceased function as orks overtook them, and were repaired as Guardsmen took them back with the help of the Space Marines. It was then that the Techmarines aboard The Blade of Storms developed a new type of deployable turret system. Typical Heavy Bolter turrets had to have their components dropped down from orbit, which servitors had to assemble. The Techmarine's aboard The Blade of Storms, led by Sahn Komik, designed and implemented a new type of automated turret. TheDragonet Pattern Bolter Turret is a modified Heavy Bolter Turret that's assembled in orbit and dropped in a pod, fully operational on impact with the surface. These smaller and easier to produce turrets (at the cost of armor and ammo capacity), were perfect for the constantly fluctuating warzones.

The arrival of the 6th, 8th, and 9th reserve companies in orbit around the planet gave the 2nd company steady reinforcements, and provided great tactical advantage in the Hive Cities because of their surplus of Assault Marines. Captain Androgous Mokurn of the 8th "Assault" Company was given the task of defending the Imperial Stronghold within Ilmanzaura while the 6th and 9th "Tactical" and "Devastator" Companies with their captains garrisoned half their forces in orbit, and the other half within the Imperial Stronghold and other defensive positions. The 2nd company made great strides across the planet as they charged through all opposition.

At the dawn of the New Year in the Imperium, the Blade of Storms detected a ship entering the system. It was an Ork Kroozer holding a whole other WAAAGH!!. Despite the efforts of the Space Marine Strike Cruisers in orbit, they were unable to cause any significant damage to the ship before it entered the planet's atmosphere. The Blade of Storms was able to transmit a message to both Captains Androk and Mokurn, warning them of the Kroozer. Upon the arrival of the new WAAAGH!!, a great explosion sent fire and smoke miles into the sky as the newly arrived Warboss ordered the dramatic crash of the ship onto what would later be discovered to be the hidden webway assembly of the Eldar.

During the campaign on Ildebad, Captain Androgous Mokurn suddenly found himself fighting a war on the inside. Insurrectionists rose out of the depths of the Hive Cities and attacked the Imperial Stronghold. These insurrectionists eventually revealed themselves to be cultists of the ruinous powers of Chaos Undivided. Captain Mokurn took it upon himself to hunt these heretics, and eliminate the grips that the great enemy had on this Imperial World. During this hunt, however, he began to hear whispers from beyond the Eye of Terror. Promises of power and glorious conquest all in the name of The Emperor dripped into his ears like an ichorous poison. Upon executing the last of the cult in their den, he recovered an old Chainaxe which was later dated back to the Horus Heresy. Mokurn's eyes were drawn to the crystal bauble upon the pommel, the whispers intensifying. He took the weapon, claiming it as his own. A Tactical Marine who had returned to the stronghold to recover from combat heard him say, "It is only fitting to slay an opponent such as chaos with its own weapons."

It took one more year for the Novus Krakens to finish their clean sweep of Ildebad, and many details were lost after The Fall of Mobidium. To know more about the cleansing of Ildebad, one would have to inquire the scarce survivors of both conflicts.

The Fall of Mobidium [ 837.M41 -- 838.M41 ]

 * "By the light of The Emperor, the Warp will not claim us this day!"
 * — Captain Jorgal Helios of the First Company

After the return of the 2nd, 6th, 8th, and 9th companies, the Chapter's Psykwraiths felt the eddies of the warp nip at company captain Androgous Mokurn, and informed Chapter Master Hargus Meltrak of the possible heresy. The Chapter Master started his own investigation of the matter with the assistance of the Psykidion Nemset Jourk, having preferred to keep this matter within the Chapter. When confronted, Androgous Mokurn irritably dismissed and defended against these claims. Meanwhile, the Inquisition's spies on the planet reported this information to their superiors, and soon enough, an inquisitor of the Ordo Hereticus was dispatched to Mobidium.

Upon arrival, the Inquisitor demanded to see the suspected heretic Androgous Mokurn. Hargus Meltrak was resistent to releasing control of one of his captains despite the allegations against him. However, the Inquisition will not be denied, and Hargus made the preparations to release Androgous Mokurn to the Inquisitor. The maddened Captain Mokurn took up his prized chainaxe, and cut the inquisitor down mercilessly. Chapter Master Meltrak immediately had him confined to await execution for his grave heresy.

However, before the time came, the traitorous captain escaped his confinement by the shocking assistance of the 3rd company. Meltrak could not believe this betrayal, and began assembling forces to hunt them down when a great explosion rocked the fortress monastery. Immediately he gave the order to raise the void shields and defend the Chapter from this harrowing betrayal.

After the shields were up, Chapter Master Meltrak found that the betrayal ran deeper than he expected. It turned out that all of the 3rd, 6th, 8th, and 9th companies had defected to the side of the fallen Captain Mokurn.

The Drendix Crusade [ 977.M41 -- 980.M41 ]

 * "The Hammer Guard are of such mettle and determination the likes of which I have not seen since Captain Helios was among us. What fortune the Imperium would have if all were so committed."
 * —Chapter Master Hargus Meltrak, commenting on the Hammer Guard Chapter in the Drendix Crusade

The 2nd company of the Novus Krakens was dispatched to Drendix in the year 979.M41 following a request for aid by the 8th Costellian Raiders and the 97th Craketun regiments of the Astra Militarum. Chapter Master Hargus Meltrak was part of this force only because the Battle Barge Vengeance of the Storm was the only ship in the Chapter available to assist. They went to assist the beleaguered force's campaign against the two Ork WAAAGH!'s plaguing the planet, and found the Hammer Guard in need of aid along with the regiments of guardsmen.

Upon arrival, the Hammer Guard Chapter's morale was immediately restored as a wall of Dragonet Pattern Bolter Turrets fell onto the battlefield between Hammer Guard defenses and the wave of greenskins pounding at their forces. Novus Krakens Assault Marines rained from the sky directly into the Ork lines as valkyries and thunderhawks touched down with Imperial Guard and Novus Krakens reinforcements. The rest finally granted the Hammer Guard Space Marines was a welcome opportunity as the Novus Krakens and Imperial Guardsmen took up formations.

Towards the end of the conflict, the two chapter forces left the two Guard Regiments to hold the base while the Hammer Guard and Novus Krakens led an assault into Ork territory. The two forces of Space Marines had eventually thoroughly purged their way to the doorstep of the settlements of both WAAAGH!'s: WAAAGH! Bludkrushah and WAAAGH! Warbusta. The ensuing fight cost many Hammer Guard Space Marines, while the Novus Krakens sore spot from the Fall of Mobidium saw more Orks fall to their blades than they fell to the vile greenskin's. A rain of melta bombs by the Novus Krakens Assault Marines heralded the inevitable slaughter of Warboss Bludkrushah as the settlement collapsed. The Warboss managed to survive the destruction and charged the Novus Krakens with what remained of his WAAAGH!, ultimately meeting his end at the blade of Assault Marine Ullando Kassran. While the Novus Krakens dismantled WAAAGH! Bludkrushah, the Hammer Guardtoppled WAAAGH! Warbusta.

In recognition of the Hammer Guard Chapter's heroic, stalwart, and lonesome fight against the foul Orks on Drendix, Chapter Master Hargus Meltrak forever honored the Hammer Guard by permanently altering the Novus Krakens chapter badge to include stars; of which the Hammer Guard revere in great respect. The Hammer Guard, in response and mutual respect, the Hammer Guard granted the Novus Krakens limited access to their recruiting worlds in sub-sector Solaritus. The Novus Krakens graciously accepted this offer, finally able to start replenishing their ranks after The Fall of Mobidium 142 years earlier.

Gene-Seed
The Chapter's unique genetic flaw sees seemingly normal Space Marines turned into small-scale events of destruction due to the sudden onset of uncontrollable psychic abilities. It is suspected that it might be the fault of a dysfunctional Catalepsean Node. In times of extreme stress from extended use of this implant, Astartes that have shown nearly no psychic potential can become wanton weapons akin to the strength of the Chapter's Psykwraiths. The Arvforesatte (Apothecaries) believe that there is a point where a Novus Krakens Marine will unintentionally "shut off" a part of their brain that is essential to their individuality and willpower, opening their minds considerably to the warp and its powers.

The Inquisition keeps a watchful eye on the Chapter's activities for any signs of heresy in spite of the Chapter's apparently unfaltering faith in and loyalty to the Emperor since The Fall of Mobidium precisely because of this schism in the chapter, believing that the seeds of dissidence might still be present; and the Chapter Master might have made a deal with a chaos god such as Tzeentch to increase the overall psychic strength of the chapter. The lack of evidence to support this suspicion prevents the inquisition from acting on it.

The Flaw only appeared after the events of The Fall of Mobidium.

Fortress Monastery
The Chapter's Fortress Monastery Storm's Eye was once located on the world of Mobidium. A grand fortress typical of many Space Marine Chapters, it was lost during the Fall of Mobidium.

The Battle Barge, Vengeance of the Storm, currently serves as the chapter's mobile fortress.

Marine Rankings/Positions

 * Herald av Krakonicus - The Chapter Master of the Novus Krakens, The Highest Authority in the Chapter
 * The Krakengärd - The Elite personal Honor Guard of the chapter master, each of the four marines are among the extremely scant survivors of the 1st Company from The Fall of Mobidium. They are each armed with a relic blade of which the hilts are covered by a leather made from the flesh of the slain Krakonicus. They took an oath of absolute silence that would remain until they are permitted to speak by their captain, who remains still unaccounted for.
 * Psykwraiths - The Librarians of the Novus Krakens
 * Psykidion - Chief Librarian
 * Psykherre - Epistolaries
 * Psyklær - Codiciers
 * Psykoppr - Lexicanium
 * Marteide - Techmarines
 * Ambovirpåvng - Master of the Forge
 * Ærbøkrig - Chaplains
 * Arvforesatte - Apothecaries
 * Halvguder - Space Marines
 * Vakteredt - Tactical Marines
 * Hænor - Devastator Marines
 * Dødrimmel - Assault Marines
 * Våknøyne - Scout Marines
 * Seilfis - Bike Squads
 * "Haier" - Translating roughly to "Sharks", the Haier are an Elite Squad of lightning claw-wielding Vanguard Veteran Space Marines led by the Hvihai.
 * Endelkøstnad - Translating roughly to "The Endless Charge", the Endelkøstnad are an Elite Squad of Space Marine bikers led by the Okshai.

Company Structure

 * 1st Company- Wiped out. Heraldry, Banner, and Moniker were retired after The Fall of Mobidium.
 * 2nd Company- Captain Kuram Androk
 * The current "Veteran Company" of Space Marines of whom have very limited sets of Terminator armor. Often extensively customize their standard Power Armor to fit pieces of Tactical Dreadnought (Terminator) Armor. They believe this will improve the company as a whole rather than creating a few elite squads that could fall and lead to the loss of the precious sets. This leads to some heated "discussions" with the Adeptus Mechanicus, but this has not stopped the chapter or the company. Many survivors of other destroyed companies from The Fall of Mobidium were relocated into this company.
 * 3rd Company- Vacant due to The Fall of Mobidium.
 * 4th Company- Captain Moltran Gerrik
 * This company saw large scale action in The Fall of Mobidium. Despite being on the front lines of the conflict, the company has seen comparably few casualties; especially in respect to the 1st, 2nd, and 5th companies. This can be accredited to the tactics of their captain: Moltran Gerrik. His favorite tactic being luring his enemy into an area where he can close his forces around them. This tactic saw the devastating defeat of an Ork Warboss, and the dismantling of his WAAAGH! during The Fall of Mobidium. These tactics have made this company and captain the targets of ridicule in and outside of the chapter, but his Astartes and the Chapter Master, Hargus Meltrak, know the effectiveness of his schemes. Because of this, the Astartes under his command follow him as loyally as he serves the Imperium.
 * 5th Company- Wiped out. The survivors from this company were transferred into the 2nd and 4th companies.
 * 6th Company- Vacant due to The Fall of Mobidium.
 * 7th Company- Captain Zecharous Renzark
 * This reserve company saw most of its forces reassigned to the 2nd and 4th companies. The few forces that remain are frequently sent to smaller battlezones to keep their skills sharp and to demonstrate that the Novus Krakens can and will still support the Imperium even in its weakened state. As a result, this company is held in similar renown for valor and zeal in combat as the 2nd Company.
 * 8th Company- Vacant due to The Fall of Mobidium.
 * 9th Company- Vacant due to The Fall of Mobidium.
 * 10th Company- Captain Elidros Ulrek
 * The neophytes of the 10th "Scout" Company of the Novus Krakens saw frontline combat during The Fall of Mobidium, but were mainly given supportive roles for the full Brothers-Astartes. Because of this, the 10th Company saw much fewer deaths than any other company. After the conflict, many neophytes had achieved their rite of passage to become full-fledged Space Marines of the Novus Krakens, and were reassigned to the 2nd, 4th, and 7th companies in order to refill their ranks. The Company was also rechartered into the reserve Devastator Squad company, and the remaining Neophytes were reallocated to the new 11th "Scout" Company. The previous Captain, Sanadros Kairn, was also reassigned to the new 11th Company to retain leadership over the neophytes.
 * 11th Company- Captain Sanadros Kairn
 * The recently established new "Scout" Company of neophytes for the Novus Krakens. It was established as a result of the retiring of the 1st Company Banner, Heraldry, and Moniker after The Fall of Mobidium.

Chapter Fleet
Battle Barges- Strike Cruisers- Frigates- Numerous Gunships and Fighters
 * Vengeance of the Storm
 * Krakonicus av Dyphav (Lost)
 * Kørær's Legacy (Lost)
 * Blade of Storms
 * Vengeful Beast (Destroyed)
 * Krakestor Tooth
 * Leviathan's Bane (Destroyed)
 * Lynsom Sloogan (Lost)
 * Seri av Kenrste (Lost)
 * Luur av Etflerien (Lost)
 * Piercing Harpoon (Destroyed)
 * Nøyakød - a Nova Class Frigate recovered drifting through the void. Originally fused with the Space Hulk Mork's Gubbinz.
 * 4 Gladius Class Frigates

Chapter Relics
Skjærende - The relic blade used by the first company captain Jorgal Helios prior to his assumed death during The Fall of Mobidium. Its blade is weathered and worn from many battles; an impressive record of foes that have fallen to it has been recorded upon a cloth wrapped around the base of the blade. It was lost along with its bearer shortly before the conclusion of the conflict.

Blodenner - The twin lightning claws used by the Hvihai known as Blo and ''Denner. They are frequently regarded by their single combined name Blodenner''. Both claws have been painted white at the hand, and remain pure despite the blood of countless foes that stain the blades from when the Mønder Oppstand damaged them, causing the power field to fail. Despite the weapon's malfunction, the Hvihai's rage and prowess allowed him to emerge covered with the blood of the Drukhari who assailed him.

Kjørarv - A Power Axe that was forged following The Fall of Mobidium. Its components were formed from the remnants of Håvard Kørær's own broken Thunder Hammer and armor when he fell in battle. It is the weapon of the current Chapter Master, Hargus Meltrak.

Perfolikk - A relic power lance from before ''The Fall of Mobidium. ''Wielded by the Okshai, leader of the Endelkøstnad. Its legend was lost along with the majority of the record of the Novus Krakens following the conflict.

Blyvegg - A relic nomus pattern rotor cannon.

Notable Novus Krakens

 * Hargus Meltrak - Second Chapter Master of the Novus Krakens; has led the chapter through its most trying time.
 * Jorgal Helios - Captain of the 1st company who fell along with the rest of his brothers to cover the retreat and preservation of the Chapter in The Fall of Mobidium.
 * Demetios Inviktus - Currently serving as the sole member of the Novus Krakens to have ever been accepted into the Deathwatch Chapter. He serves as an Assault Marine in the Long Watch. He has been assumed dead on multiple occasions, having run straight into suicidal odds as a means to prove his worth to his fellow brother chapters and as a means to buy time when necessary, only to emerge victorious.
 * The Hvihai - Translating roughly to "The White Shark", the Hvihai is a Vanguard Veteran Sergeant Marine that leads the brutal squad known as the "Haier". The squad and their sergeant are equipped with the only lightning claws left within the chapter, and are extremely adept at rending the flesh of their enemies. The Hvihai himself is easily identifiable by his white lightning claws Blo and Denner.
 * The Okshai - Translating roughly to "Bull Shark", the Okshai is the sergeant and leader of the Endelkøstnad; an elite squad of bikers that excel at flanking and charge maneuvers in the chapter.
 * Alexandros Krakenblade - A child during The Fall of Mobidium, he was one of the few civilian survivors that escaped due to PDF and Novus Krakens efforts. It was the chapter that recovered him from the ruined tribe-city Tentakk attempting to defend himself from a Leviathans Eclipse Chaos Space Marine. When the Novus Krakens were forced to flee the planet, he was among the many that were drafted from the surviving populace to test if they were worthy of beginning the training to become Space Marines. He was quickly accepted to become a full brother-astartes when he completed the trials, showing an exceptional aptitude for melee combat. It wasn't longer than a century until he became an assault squad sergeant of the 2nd Company's 5th squad, wielding an Eviscerator and Combat Shield.

Chapter Ethos
The Novus Krakens have no recollection of their Primarch; but revere the Emperor, and a great creature of their homeworld. In the deepest depths of the darkest ocean of Mobidium resides the great and mighty Krakonicus, Lord of the Deep. He is a great beast of gargantuan size, and bears resemblance to the Krakestor; native creatures of Mobidium that resemble the ancient Terran mythological Kraken, similar to the Krakens of Fenris. However, there are too many differences between Krakonicus and the Krakestor to be the same species.

All neophyte-astartes of the Novus Krakens make pilgrimage to the deepest ocean of Mobidium to seek audience with Krakonicus before they receive the final gene seed implant and become a matured Space Marine of the Chapter. The events that occur in the audience of Krakonicus are a sacred experience that even the brothers-astartes keep secret from eachother. However, there are two outcomes of this pilgrimage: those who fail in the eyes of Krakonicus and are devoured by its great maw, and those who are deigned worthy by Krakonicus are lifted back to the surface of the ocean, left on the shore near the Fortress Monastery.

Once a Neophyte Astartes receives their final implant, they are ceremoniously inducted into a company with the bestowing of their new name in the Chapter. The change in typically and inclusion of the letter 'k' within the new brother's given surname. For instance, Captain Jorgal Helios of the first company was known as Jorgal Kelios until his surname was returned to him in honor of his sacrifice on Mobidium.

By the Novus Krakens

 * "The Novus Krakens are a young chapter; we are but hatchlings to our brothers whom have fought countless wars before us. Our honor is unwritten, our mettle untested, our might undisclosed. We are but children in an Imperium of giants, of heroes great and small. There are mere men who have faced down daemons, and won through their efforts, and the efforts of their brothers. There are the few that faced legion, and stood proud upon their enemy's ashes. There are the many that lost all, and found new meaning in the Emperor's name. Nemset, my blood-brother, the Novus Krakens will have tales of glory to rival the legions of old, of whom we may very well owe our existence. They will have many relics, and worthy warriors who wield them. They will strike fear into the enemies of the Imperium. They are the Novus Krakens, and my only desire is to see them rise."

- Håvard Kørær, first Chapter Master of the Novus Krakens upon the Chapter's inception.


 * "We lost more than half our fleet. We lost much of our wargear, and vehicles. We lost more than half our brothers to the foul forces of Chaos. We lost our veterans, our greatest heroes. The loss of Håvard, our brother, pains us all, Nemset. I do not see myself as an apt replacement for our great herald; our mentor and guide in dark times. We lost too much at the hands of Kenrste's kind. But we yet still suffered more grievous losses by our own. We lost our heritage, the greater portion of our history. We lost our home, and our people. In repentance for our lost knowledge, for our fallen, and for the legacy we have failed to honor, we will carve our chapter's standard into the very hearts of the traitors who turned away from us. They are no longer our brothers, they are merely flesh that which resemble them."

- Hargus Meltrak, second Chapter Master of the Novus Krakens following the Fall of Mobidium.

About the Novus Krakens
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