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Astral Serpents
The Astral Serpents are a Loyalist Space Marine Chapter based in northern Ultima Segmentum at the edge of the galaxy. Being so isolated, they have very little contact with other imperial forces other than those which are in the Azeran Sector. Rarely has this Chapter been recorded in official Imperial records, and when they are the records are incredibly vague, and when young Inquisitors wanting advance in their position notice this, they head off to Viperae. Of course these Inquisitors find nothing and go back to Terra or to their masters after growing frustrated after listening to the chaplains and seers of the Serpents telling long drawn-out stories of their chapter's supposed ancient history.

Chapter Culture
The Astral Serpents' culture is influenced by the customs and traditions of the ancient Viperaen clans where the Chapter's warriors are drawn from. The Serpents believe in honoring their ancestors, and as such will often offer prayers and offerings to them in times of great turmoil and upon specific dates where they give many offering to them and if someone doesn't give offering are (supposedly) cursed, until offerings are made to their ancestors. To Viperaens Psykers aren't feared but are considered Seers, wielders of ancient knowledge and power, as such they are taken in by seers and taught how to control their power, though in Viperaen Lore there are stories of Seers becoming what they call warlocks, who summon evil spirits to do their bidding.

Viperean warriors (and by extension Astral Serpents) are taught not only the way of the warrior but also the way of Strategy and deception, and as such if a warrior uses deception and trickery to win a fight it is only seen as dishonorable if the warriors agreed to have a fair fight. Astral Serpents will also form bonds of brotherhood were they cut their hands and force their palms together as to mix their blood, doing this is a sign of trust between two warriors and is the final step in their friendship.

Warriors of the Serpents do not look down on the serfs, whom the Serpents call Mrawds, are their brothers and friends. Battle-brothers will sometimes form bonds of brotherhoods with Mrawds, teach them in ways of war, and generally mingle with them treating them no different than they do any other Battle Brother. Mrawds will sometimes fight alongside their Astartes brothers either because they choose to follow their brothers into battle, or the situation is desperate enough that they must fight, either way the Serpents do not discourage the Mrawds for this and believe those who fight alongside them are, to them at least, Astartes.

Notable Campaigns

 * 3rd Black Crusade (909.M32)

the Azeran Crusades were, as the name suggests, a series of crusades in the Azeran Sector. these crusades were the 1st Polit Crusade, Acorid Crusade, Khitomer Crusade, Reman Crusade, Risan Crusade, Shaunja Crusade and Zedan Crusade. these crusades were mainly against, xenos, and human civilizations who, cut off during the dark age of technology, turned to the worship of chaos. The
 * Azeran Crusades (104.M33 - 248.M35)
 * War of Formenos (381.M35)


 * Trillis Crusade (639.M35)


 * The Burning of Salile (772.M36)


 * 2nd Polit Crusade (230.M37)




 * War in Shadows (781.M41)

In 781 M.41 High Chief Bryn died at the age of 1436 due to unknown causes, Following his death the captains gathered for a meeting in their fortress monastery to decide who would become the next High Chief. Velrog, Captain of the 5th Company launched a coup, in an attempt to turn the Chapter to the forces of chaos, in this attempt squads whom he had earned the loyalty of, turned on their captains and attempted to seize control of the fleets. Velrogs “Baptists” were only able to seize control of 6 of the 12 ships they had targeted, this along with Velrogs failure to kill the other captains, caused him to flee and go into hiding.

in 783 Velrog was discovered in the Acorid system, and soon the full might of the chapter was brought down on the traitors. A battle ensued upon the agri world of Clovis, where Velrog was slain by Ganvan, champion of the 6th company in single combat. Following his death the rest of the “Baptists”, led by Quilon Seer of the 5th company, fled Clovis by entering a warp rift summoned by Quilon aboard the Strike Cruiser Pale Hand. Following this massive battle Vetek Ulkan, Captain of the 1st Company, who had taken up the mantle as leader of the chapter, was officially named High Chief of the Astral Serpents, and as his first act he named Ganvan to be Champion.

Gene-Seed
The Astral Serpents suffer from a gene-seed mutation that turns the skin of the Astartes hard and pebbly and their skin turning into a wide array of colours. this change is due the secretions in the oolitic kidney becoming unbalanced. many imperial scholars believe that the reason for this change has something to do with their home planet of Viperae, though as to what on Viperae causes it opinions differ.

Some believe that it is due to the Atmosphere containing a certain chemical that damages the oolitic, others believe that the plants on the planet contain a certain enzyme that causes the oolitic to malfunctionm, and yet still others claim that the water it self has been tainted by chaos and the mutation is a response to it.

Recruitment
Every ten years the Ancient Clans of Viperae send their bravest and strongest youths to the Astral Serpents where they will under go trials on their journey to becoming space marines

The Climb
The first trial these Aspirants must overcome happens before they even enter the fortress monastery. the trial is quite simple yet effective in weeding out the weak, they must climb mynydd marwolaeth, while the mountain isn't the tallest on Viperae, far from it, it is still a formidable challenge due to the fact that the Astral Serpents have set many a trap along the way. Most of these traps are not meant to kill, simply wound them and damage their resolve to continue. those that make it to the top are then taken to Sanctum Serpentum the fortress monastery of the Astral serpents to begin their training.

Vigilance
After months of training and conditioning of the aspirants, a second trial is initiated. The second trial is again simple, the Aspirants must hold a torch over their heads without letting it down for 3 days. Those who let the torch fall are thrown from the top of the Fortress Monastery, those who somehow survive the fall, continue their training.

Organisation
the Astral Serpents follow the Codex Astartes in most organisational terminology with a few changes due to the Culture of viperae

Command Ranks

 * High Chief (Chapter Master) - The Chapter Master of the Astral Serpents serves in much the same way as in any other chapter with a noticeable difference being that the clans of Viperae recognize him as their high chief and is able to mediate disputes, and rule over them in any way he sees fit. the reason for this is unknown though it has existed for as long as the Astral Serpents have existed.
 * High Seer (Chief Librarian)

Combat Doctrine
The combat doctrine of the Astral Serpents Revolves almost entirely around aircraft's.

Chapter Colours
The Astral Serpents primarily wear a teal coloured breastplate, helm, glin (poleyns; knee guards) and llaw (gauntlets). The shoulder insets, coes (leg armour) and droed (sabatons; foot armour) are grey in colour. The Aquila or Imperialis symbol on the breastplate is white in colour. The trim of the shoulder pauldrons indicates the company number, in accordance to the dictates of the Codex Astartes (i.e. 1st Company; White, 2nd Company; Red, 3rd Company; Yellow or Gold, 4th Company; Green, ect.) Squad number is indicated by a white Gothic numeral (1-10) on the left glin, and squad specialty insignia is indicated in white on the right shoulder inset, while the chapter badge on the left shoulder guard. Helm colours indicate seniority of rank with sergeant helms (grey), veteran sergeants (grey with a black stripe), veterans (black) and commanders wearing the standard teal helms.

Chapter Badge
The Astral Serpents Badge is a teal Serpent that is vaguely coiled into the shape of an 'S'. The Serpent is an ancient creature from Viperaes mythology that terrorized the populace of the world before being defeated by a band of warriors from every clan on Viperae led by a great warrior who's name has been lost to time.

Chapter Fleet
the Fleet of the Astral Serpents is divided into 2 different battle groups, led by the captains of the first and second companies, that patrol the galactic east and west of the Azeran Sector. The ships of the fleet are captained by non-astartes personnel with years of experience.

Western Fleet

 * Blooded Fang (Battle Barge) - Battle-Barge and flagship of the Western battle group and captained by Finn Mac Cumhaill (houses most of the 1st, 9th and elements of the 4th, 6th and 8th companies)
 * Kingfisher (Strike Cruiser) - Command vessel of the 4th Company
 * Emperor's Tangent (Strike Cruiser) - Command vessel of the 6th Company.
 * Cold Fire (Strike Cruiser) - Command vessel of the 8th Company.
 * Bloody Rampage(Cobra Class) - Escort ship.
 * Serpents Amity (Cobra Class) - Escort ship.
 * Lone Palm (Nova Class) - Escort ship.
 * Venerable Crusader (Nova Class) - Escort ship.
 * Imperial Spirit (Gladius Class) - Escort ship.
 * Silent Crusader (Gladius Class) - Escort ship.

Eastern Fleet

 * Distant Thunder (Battle Barge) - Flagship of the Eastern battle group and captained by Mallius Lir (houses the 2nd,10th and elements of the 5th 7th and 3rd companies.
 * Astonisher (Strike Cruiser) - Command vessel of the 5th Company.
 * Faithful Servant (Strike Cruiser) - Strike Cruiser of the 7th Company.
 * Distant Sun (Strike Cruiser) - Command vessel of the 3rd Company.
 * Lonely Wind (Cobra Class) - Escort ship.
 * Black Talisman (Cobra Class) - Escort ship.
 * Star Dancer (Nova Class) - Escort ship.
 * Serpent's Kiss (Nova Class) - Escort ship.
 * New Dawn (Gladius Class) - Escort ship.
 * Mindful Spirit (Gladius Class) -Escort ship.

Chapter Relics

 * Serpent's Fury - Serpent's Fury is an ancient Thunder Hammer which is the personal weapon of Chapter Master Ulkan. The hammer has been in the Astral Serpents for, as far as anyone knows, as long as they have existed and most likely during the Horus hHeresy. The two heads of the hammer formed into the shape of serpent heads.

Allies

 * The Worlds and systems within the Azeran Sector -The Astral Serpents have alliances and agreements with most of the planets and systems in their sector. The Serpents claim that this is because their aid is invaluable and without them the planets wouldn't be able to survive, however there are claims that the Serpents force subservience on these governors. The theories on how they do this varies, but the most common one is that the planet is threatened by an external or internal threat, the Serpents then demand loyalty from the planetary governors in exchange for their aid. These claims, the Astral Serpents deny, but when ever a governor refuses to help or deal with the Serpents or goes back on an agreement, the governor is soon overthrown in a Coup.

Enemies

 * Alpha Legion -The Astral Serpents have a strange hatred of the Alpha Legion. Whenever an Alpha Legion War-band is detected no matter how small The war-band is, the Serpents descend upon them with overwhelming force to crush them immediately, the reason for this hatred is unknown.
 * Baptists of Blood - The Baptists of Blood are Astral Serpents Traitors that have survived the "War in Shadows" where Velrog, Captain of the 5th Company, started a chapter civil war to turn the Astral Serpents to Chaos. While most of these Traitors were killed during the war those that survived now live on the elphage of the sector targeting vulnerable planets and sowing seeds of discord among worlds.

Notable Quotes
Know that this is your duty, if your faith falters, your will shattered and body broken, remember that you fight for your brothers, that you have fight for Viperae, that you fight for the Emperor, and keep fighting! - Chapter Master Calrend at the battle of Shiva (230.M37)

By the Astral Serpents
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