Star Wardens

"My brothers! Fellow survivors of Hydraxa! We have stood proud in the face of the Tyranid and the vile creatures of the warp, and we few have emerged bloody but unbroken! Our chapter may lay in ruins, but the reborn Lord Guilliman offers us salvation. Not only salvation but that which we as a chapter have lacked for millennia, hope. Lord Guilliman strides across the stars creating a new age for the Imperium, and he offers to us a chance to join him. In our broken state we cannot, but with his aid we can be forged into something new, something better. We shall continue the Great Crusade! Brothers a New Age Dawns!"

- Newly appointed Commander Joachim Garen

The Star Wardens are a loyalist Space Marine chapter descended from the zealous Black Templars, and hail from the 22nd Founding of Space Marines. Following the return of Roboute Gulliman the Star Wardens have embraced his new primaris marines and as of the start of the Viglius Campaign, they are comprised completely of this new breed of astartes. The Star Wardens are a fleet-based chapter based around the Ramilles-class star fort Imperial Sovereign, and thus they are masters of void warfare. With expert skill and ease they launch daring boarding actions and commit pinpoint orbital bombardments, as they fight tirelessly to restore the Imperium to the glory it held during the Great Crusade.

Formation
The Star Wardens were created during the 22nd Founding right after the horrific Reign of Blood perpetrated by the mad Goge Vandire. They were created to aid the newly created Ordo Sanctorum in keeping a check on the Ecclesiarchy and preventing another internal civil war. Formed from an elite group of veterans and the gene-seed of the zealous Black Templars chapter, they were naturally imbued with a fervent belief in the values of the Great Crusade, and a unified galactic human empire. However, instead of the Black Templar’s faith in the divinity of the Emperor, the High Lords had other plans for the chapter. Beyreuth, High Lord and Captain-General of the Custodes, granted Zephran Caul, a former Black Templar chaplain, an audience with the Emperor himself. Having thus been bestowed with the coveted title of Auditorii Imperator, Caul met with the Master of Mankind and had his beliefs changed forever. After exactly one Terran day Zephran Caul emerged a changed man. He appeared before his chapter aged beyond his years yet exuberant with purpose. He preached to his chapter the old Imperial Truth with a fervent passion and from these teachings the Order of Keepers was formed. Fulfilling the role of both Librarians and Chaplains within the chapter, it was their solemn duty to teach their chapter the tenets of the Imperial Truth and the history of the Imperium, to record the deeds of the Star Wardens, to ensure proper morale, and to help protect their charges from the deprivations of the Warp. Additionally, the Star Wardens were bequeathed with an abundance of powerful and ancient wargear dating back from the Great Crusade. Relic suits of power armor, Storm Eagle and Fire Raptor gunships, Infernus-pattern Predators, Rapier Platforms, Contemptor Dreadnoughts, Kharybdis Assault Claws, and most importantly suits of nigh-invincible Cataphractii terminator armor. The final gift they received from the High Lords was in the form of a mighty fleet from which to conduct themselves, including a Ramilles-class star fort, dubbed the Imperial Sovereign. Thus the Star Wardens emerged fully formed from their founding, just in time to see the start of the Great Cull.

Penitence
The Great Cull was launched to reduce the influence of the Ecclesiarchy to a more manageable level, at gunpoint if need be, and the newly formed Star Wardens set about their task with relish. However the Ecclesiarchy still had much power, and soon the Star Wardens faced multiple accounts of censure for their excesses in tearing down the power structure of the Ecclesiarchy. Disgusted that they faced accusation for what they viewed as conducting their sacred duty, the Star Wardens declared a self-imposed and indefinite penitent-crusade. Regretful not for having committed their actions, but for not committing them sooner. Taking their fleet to the eastern fringes of the Ultima Segmentum they fought for millennia to keep the edges of the Imperium safe from the aggressions of both xenos and traitors. The accepted no laurels or honor rolls for their deeds, simply fighting for an Imperium that they viewed as having forever gone astray from the Emperor’s vision. Their only contact with the wider Imperium was with those they fought beside, and terse reports sent back to the High Lords by the chapter’s Keepers.

The Tyrannic Wars
The Star Warden’s exile, however, would come to an end with the arrival of the Tyranids. As the Star Wardens came into contact with the first tendrils of Hive Fleet Behemoth they knew that the very existence of the Imperium was threatened. They raced back into the Imperial fold and assisted in hunting down splinter fleets that had been created when Behemoth was shattered at Macragge. Tentatively they returned to an Imperium that had changed in their absence, they grudgingly aided an Imperium riven by superstition and paranoia in the faint hope that one day it would be restored to its former glory. In remembrance of the dangers of the Ecclesiarchy and of their ancient oaths they renewed their vows to the Ordo Sanctorum, they continually rotate a permanent garrison in service to the Inquisitors of that Ordo. As they continued to hunt down splinter fleets of Behemoth they also pledged their forces into fighting in the Achilus Crusade, a monumental effort to claim the Jericho Reach for the Imperium. There they would fight for several centuries until the chapter’s worst nightmare was realized, the arrival of a second hive fleet. The Star Wardens quickly mobilized their entire chapter to fight Kraken, fighting desperate and furious battles against endless tendrils of Tyranids. During one battle the entire fifth company was lost, sacrificing themselves to destroy a massive hive ship from within. This cemented forever the chapter’s eternal hatred for the Tyranid menace and they proceeded to fight with even greater zeal. Just as Kraken was beginning to be contained the arrival of a third Hive Fleet rocked the chapter once more. Hive Fleet Leviathan quickly spread like a virus across the galaxy and the Star Wardens, bruised and bloody, rose to meet it.

Hydraxa
Learning that a splinter of leviathan codenamed: Basilisk was heading for the Hydraxan system the Star Wardens brought their entire chapter to defend the system. After several years of rooting out genestealer cults and a desperate void battle, the Star Wardens emerged wounded but victorious. Before they had time to catch their breath however the galaxy was split in twain. With the fall of Cadia, the Cicatrix Maledictum was opened and massive warp storms spawned throughout the galaxy forming the Great Rift. The Hydraxan system was encircled by an impassable warp storm and as the final remnants of Basilisk dissolved horrors from the warp were unleashed. The Star Wardens disdainfully gazed upon these manifestations of the warp and stoically fought tooth and claw for their very survival. Endless waves of ghoulish crimson colored creatures attacked the Hydraxan system and bayed for the blood of the imperial citizens within. The Star Wardens fought bravely but were slowly whittled away and forced to fall back closer to the core of the system. Eventually, they were forced to evacuate the entire remaining populace of Hydraxan Prime onto the chapter’s star fort monastery to mount a desperate last stand. Every inch was paid for in the blood of both astartes and warp-creature, but just as it seemed that the Star Wardens could hold no longer Roboute Gulliman, the reborn son of the Emperor, arrived bearing deliverance. As the warp storm abated and the power of the creatures waned the Indomitus Crusade arrived and helped clear the Hydraxan system.

The Indomitus Crusade
Having been reduced to a mere shadow of their former selves, the Star Wardens greeted their savior in awe. The Star Wardens knelt in front of the living primarch and pledged their service to Gulliman. They embraced the existence of the primaris marines with joy, seeing within them and the Indomitus Crusade a glimmer of hope that the Imperium could be redeemed. Drawing together the few survivors, recruits taken from the populace of Hydraxa, and primaris reinforcements, a rebuilt Star Wardens eagerly spent the next decades fighting in the Indomitus Crusade. There the Star Wardens would attain new glory working closely with Gulliman himself. During the crusade, they along with the Ordinators would deploy to rescue an Imperial planet from the clutches of the horrid Drukhari. During the battle the Star Wardens lost almost two entire companies, their gene-seed ruined, to a coven called the Twisted Pain. Indeed, the chapter master Commander Joachim Garen would himself have perished had it not been for the intervention of the Ordinator’s chapter master Legatus Decimus Aurelian. Although the Twisted Pain escaped Garen swore he would hunt them down, and pledged an oath of gratitude to Aurelian, forming a grudging respect between the two chapters. As the crusade made its way across the galaxy the Star Wardens would for the first time make longstanding allies such as the Knight House Alastair, and would develop strong connections with the Imperial Navy. The chapter’s Keepers would frequently meet with Gulliman’s corps of historitors, the two groups passionately poring over each other's records and debating the finer points of Imperial history.

A New Age
As the Indomitus Crusade ended the Star Wardens fulfilled their oath to the Ordinators chapter by promising to travel to the Cordanian system, to aid in the Khaigara Crusade. As they made their way to the rendezvous point however they were ambushed by two Black Legion warbands. The Star Wardens who were overstrength from their time in the Indomitus Crusade quickly took massive losses and several ships were destroyed immediately. Desperate, the chapter’s battle barges launched a daring attack straight at the heart of the enemy fleet. The Black Legion forces in their arrogance laughed at what appeared to be a futile frontal assault, however, outright destruction was not the goal and as the Star Warden ships passed the capital Black legion ships they teleported aboard teams of Cataphractii terminators. These were the most elite of the surviving original members of the chapter, and the Star Wardens successfully managed to destroy several of the Black Legion capital ships. This afforded them enough time to make their escape from the ambush. Commander Garen vowed as he left that he would one day have his revenge against the Black Legion. Although they were greatly reduced in strength Garen resolved that they would honor their oath and they completed their journey to the Cordanian system. In the Khaigara Crusade the Star Wardens joined an Imperial Coalition to destroy the Drukhari port of Khaigara. In the opening attack, the Star Wardens contributing greatly to destroying the Drukhari fleet and joined the Imperials for the ground assault. Although the Imperials were ultimately successful and the port was destroyed the Twisted Pain once again managed to escape, much to Garen’s fury. However, revenge would have to wait as the chapter received a summons from Gulliman himself. Garen ordered that their star fort be stationed in the Cordanian system to rebuild due to a newfound alliance with the forge world of Manis, then took his fleet to answer the primarch’s summons. There they watched Marneus Calgar, legendary chapter master of the Ultramarines, undergo the procedure to become a primaris marine. As one and without hesitation all non-primaris members of the chapter agreed to also undergo this dangerous surgery. Although not all survived those that did however emerged as full primaris marines. The Star Wardens had finally been reforged completely for the dawning of a new age. The recently transformed Commander Garen soon ordered that his fleet join Calgar in his crusade to aid the sentinel world of Vigilus.

At Viglius the Star Wardens would fight for almost fifteen years in constant brutal urban warfare against the frothing Ork and rampant Genestealer Cults. They would fight in numerous warzones until the arrival of villianous Black Legion forces lead by Haarken Worldclaimer, the herald of Abbadon himself. Commander Garen would personally lead his chapter against these Black Legion forces, eager to finally have vengeance for Duras. After Viglius the Star Wardens chapter would reunite as one as they received urgent requests of aid from the Ordinators. Gathering together significant Imperial reinforcements they rushed to aid in the defense of the Azuran sector.

The Great Cull (M37)
In response to the horrific atrocities perpetrated during the Reign of Blood, the High Lords in revenge ordered that the Great Cull take place in order to reduce the influence of the Ecclesiarchy. The Star Wardens went about this with relish and perhaps with too much zeal. Newly emboldened by the secular sermons of Zephran Caul the Star Wardens purged the Ecclesiarchy at gunpoint, slaughtering countless members of the organization. Several shrine worlds were burned to the ground by the chapter, and the streets ran red with the blood of the pious and the corrupt. Disillusioned with the state of the Imperium and facing numerous accounts of censure the Star Wardens would then undertake a millennia-long self-imposed exile to the eastern fringes. To this day there remains a deep disgust between the Ecclesiarchy and the Star Wardens, and the chapter still fights to control the Eccelsiarchy by working closely with the Ordo Sanctorum.

First Tyrannic War (745.M41)
On the very eastern edges of Imperial space, the Star Wardens began to notice that Imperial worlds were seemingly vanishing. Upon further investigation, the chapter discovered the arrival of the Tyrannic menace. Caught up in tendrils of Hive Fleet Behemoth the Star Wardens realized this was a threat to the very existence of the Imperium. Fighting their way free they declared their long penance over and raced back to the Imperial fold. They set about aiding Imperial forces in hunting down the many splinters of Behemoth created when the Hive Fleet was shattered at Macragge. For decades they would hunt down these splinter fleets, as they struggled to adjust to being out of exile.

Achilus Crusade (777-993.M41)
The Star Wardens gradually began to reenter the Imperial fold after so many millennia in voluntary exile. In an effort to appease the High lords they agreed to lend their might to the Achilus Crusade, there they pledged most of their strength to claim the Jericho Reach region for the Imperium. They fought for centuries mostly in the Orpheous Salient, where they proved vital in holding back Hive Fleet Dagon, and in the Cellebos Salient where they fought against secessionists and forces from the Velk’Han Sept. Their allies applauded them on their effectiveness and honorable conduct, yet also remarked on how they preferred to keep to themselves and often times seemed laconic and distant behind their polite demeanor.

Second Tyrannic War (993.M41)
After centuries spent in the Jericho Reach the worst fears of the chapter were realized, the arrival of a second Hive Fleet. As Kraken devoured Imperial worlds, the Star Wardens brought their entire chapter to bear against the Tyrannic menace. Astartes and Tyranid blood was spilled in frozen vacuum as the Star Wardens committed daring boarding action after boarding action against the massive Hive Fleet. Losses were high, including the entirety of the 5th Crusade-Company, yet the Star Wardens, along with other Imperial forces, managed to blunt the main tendril of the Hive Fleet. However, just as the Imperials came to grips with Kraken a third Hive Fleet emerged, the largest so far seen.

Hydraxa Campaign (998.M41-042.M41)
Bruised and bloody the Star Wardens grimly rose to meet Leviathan. After several skirmishes against the Hive Fleet, the chapter learned that a splinter codenamed: Basilisk was heading towards the Hydraxa system. Commander Falken, the chapter master of the Star Wardens, resolutely sent his chapter to the system to await the Tyrannic invasion. For months the Star Wardens deployed from their ships to root out and destroy genestealer cults rising up in the system. Finally, the shadow in the warp enveloped Hydraxa, and the Star Wardens were alone with their foe. As Basilisk first entered its tendrils into the system it encountered not an easy meal, but the arrayed guns of the Star Warden fleet. A vicious void battle broke out lasting weeks as the armored prows of the astartes vessels traded fire with the writhing maws of the Tyranid bio-ships. Finally, after a series of boarding actions personally led by Commander Falken the main strength of Basilisk was broken. As the Star Warden fleet moved in to finish off the Hive Fleet, however, the galaxy was split in twain. With the fall of Cadia the Cicatrix Maledictum opened and warp storms were spawned across the galaxy, forming the Great Rift. The Hydraxa system was surrounded by an impassable warp storm, and as Basilisk writhed in its death throes the Star Wardens were assailed by endless waves of creatures from the warp. Commander Falken immediately ordered a defense of the planets in the system and the Star Wardens bravely created a bulwark for the waves of warp spawn to crash against. Although the Star Wardens fought valiantly they were slowly whittled down and forced to retreat further in-system along with evacuating Imperial citizens. Eventually, the Star Wardens were forced to mount a defense of the capital hive of Hydraxa Prime. Here Falken himself was slain by a gigantic winged warp-beast carrying a massive two-handed axe. First Captain Garen, immediately took up the mantle of chapter master, and along with a strike force of veterans and dreadnoughts managed to slay the monster. Garen grimly surveyed the situation and ordered a tactical retreat to the void. The Star Wardens, along with all the surviving denizens of Hydraxa, evacuated to the fleet arrayed in the stars above the slaughter. There a desperate last stand was stoically mounted in the star fort that served as the Star Warden chapter monastery. Countless red-skinned creatures bayed for the chapter's blood, as inch by inch the Star Wardens were pushed back further into their star fortress. Just as they resigned themselves to honorable death salvation arrived in the form of a reborn primarch. Roboute Gulliman and his Indomitus Crusade arrived into the Hydraxan system as the warp storm abated and the power of the warp-spawn waned. Together the two fleets cleaned the system and the Star Wardens greeted their savior. Awestruck they fell to their knees at the sight of a living son of the Emperor and pledged themselves to his service. Drawing together the scarred survivors of the chapters, recruits taken from the Hydraxan survivors, and primaris reinforcements. The Star Wardens quickly rebuilt their strength and without hesitation eagerly joined Gulliman in his crusade to stabilize the Imperium.

Indomitus Crusade (042.M41-111.M42)
As Gulliman’s fleets fought across the galaxy the Star Wardens would reach new levels of honor and glory. For decades the Star Wardens fought in service to the primarch, valued dearly for their prowess, beliefs, and the extensive records painstakingly kept by the chapter’s Keepers. Indeed the Order of Keepers would often meet with the Gulliman’s corps of historitors, debating passionately over the finer points of Imperial history. During the conflict, the Star Wardens would make new close allies such as with the Knight House of Alastair and would form strong bonds with several factions within the Imperial Navy. The Star Wardens also shared Gulliamn’s favor with another, quite different, chapter called the Ordinators. Opposite in beliefs both were held in regard by Gulliman for their differing perspectives even as the two chapters bickered and headbutted over their beliefs. During the Crusade both the Star Wardens and the Ordinators joined the Primarch in liberating an Imperial world from the clutches of the vile Drukhari. During the battle, the Star Wardens were ambushed by the Coven of the Twisted Pain and suffered horrendous casualties during attacks that also ruined the gene-seed of the dead. Indeed, Commander Garen himself would have perished had it not been for the timely intervention of Legatus Decimus Aurelian, chapter master of the Ordinators. Garen swore an oath that one day he would repay his death, and a grudging respect grew between the two chapters afterwards.

Ambush at Duras (112.M42)
As the Indomitus Crusade ended the Star Wardens agreed to repay their debt to the Ordinators after learning that the Twisted Pain had been tracked down to the Drukhari port of Khaigara. As the Star Wardens made their way to the Cordanian system to join the crusade they were ambushed by two Black Legion warbands in the Duras system. The Star Wardens, who were over-strength from the Indomitus Crusade, immediately suffered heavy losses including several ships. Garen swiftly organized a counter-attack and sent his chapter’s battle-barges directly towards the center of the Black Legion fleet. However this attack was a ruse, and as the battle-barges drew close several brotherhoods of Cataphractii terminators, the most elite of the survivors of Hydraxa, boarded multiple Black legion capital ships. Several ships were successfully destroyed and as the Black Legion forces reeled the Star Warden fleet was able to escape. However, the Star Wardens strength had been halved in the greatest loss of astartes since Hydraxa, and Commander Garen overcome with fury swore that one day he would have his revenge against the Black Legion.

Khaigara Crusade (112.M42)
Finally reaching the Cordanian system the Star Wardens joined the Imperial Coalition to destroy the Drukhari port of Khaigara. Early on the Star Wardens proved instrumental in destroying the Drukhari fleet and later joined their allies in assaulting the port itself. Amid orbital bombardment from the Star Warden fleet the entire chapter deployed alongside their allies to Khaigara to rescue imprisoned Imperial citizens and to hunt down the Twisted Pain. Thousand of Drukhari were cut down in the frantic battle for the main courtyard, as Veteran Sergeant Ducan led brotherhoods of reivers and scouts to join an infiltration team to the lower levels. Ducan eventually would confront the Haemonculus commanding the Twisted Pain and although both suffered wounds the ancient Haemonculus was able to escape. Despite the fact that the Twisted Pain had once again managed eluded the Star Wardens the citizens were able to be rescued and the port itself was destroyed in a resounding Imperial victory. Ducan was promoted to Lieutenant by Garen himself, and an alliance was formed between the Star Wardens and the Forge World of Manis as it was revealed to the chapter that many Cordanians secretly still observed the Imperial Truth as well. As an urgent summons was received from Gulliman Commander Garen ordered that the star fort Imperial Sovereign be stationed and garrisoned in the Cordanian system to rebuild the depleted chapter. Garen himself would lead his fleet and the greater part of his chapter to answer the call of the primarch

Vigilus Campaign(115-129.M42)
A healing Commander Garen would send his newly reforged chapter to be tempered in the fires of battle as part of Marneus Calgar's crusade force sent to liberate the Vigilus system. A full five hundred primaris marines of the Star Wardens chapter would arrive at Viglus and deploy from orbit to aid the beleaguered sentinel world. In the early part of the conflict the Star Warden would mainly focus their efforts into fighting Genestealer Cults in the Dirkden hivesprawl. Once the Imperial Fists chapter arrived the Star Wardens would send a portion of their forces to aid them in holding the Mortwald trenchworks against endless waves of orks. At one point in the conflict, the Aeldari craftworld of Saim-Hainn launched an attack on the Viglius Senate, with Commander Garen being one of six astartes chapter masters to personally repel the attack and protect the senate. After over a decade of brutal urban fighting Imperial forces were forced to pull out of the Dirkden hivesprawl and the Star Wardens redeployed to the Hyperia Hivesprawl. There they fought alongside Adepta Sorotitas forces and their primogenitors, the Black Templars, in defending the hiveprawl. The worst was yet to come however when reports of chaos forces began to surface attacking the tops of Vigilus’ hive towers. Soon it was revealed that Black Legion forces were preparing to invade Vigilus en masse. First Captain Aldrich along with forces from the Ultramarines and Necropolis Hawks chapters ascended to the hive towers in an attempt to dislodge the chaos forces before it was too late.

Unique Units

 * Keepers of History- The Keepers owe their existence to Zephran Caul, legendary hero of the chapter who personally met with the Emperor himself. With a gene-seed mutation making psykers impossible, the Star Wardens contain no librarius. Instead, their chaplaincy expanded in both role and importance. Renamed the Keepers of History, the Keepers embody the teachings of the Imperial Truth and lecture the chapter in its tenants. They also are fastidious in recording the history of both the chapter and the Imperium around them, and their scrolls are some of the most accurate historical documents in the Imperium. The Keepers also aid the Master of Recruits in training new marines and in battle are a source of inspiration and through special training aid in helping the Star Wardens resist the temptations of the warp. The Keepers are led by the Master of Histories, who easily has the second-highest influence in the chapter, next to the Commander himself. In the possession of the Master of History is a relic known as the Scrolls of the Great Crusade, which are rolls of sacred parchment locked in a stasis capsule said to contain actual accounts from Rogal Dorn himself during the Great Crusade.


 * Warcraft Veterans- Instead of standard veteran formations practiced by other chapters, the Star Wardens have a formation called the “Warcraft Veterans”. These elite and honored members of the chapter serve as sergeants and officers in battle. Their experience and skill amplifying the effectiveness of brotherhoods in combat. Veterans not leading brotherhoods remain to serve in the First Company as elite Aggressor brotherhoods and are the first ones into the hellish confined warzones the Star Wardens so often fight in. The best and brightest of these veterans will go on to become officers within the chapter. First as lieutenants and then to the rank of Captain. It is from these Captains that the First Captain and Commander are chosen. Those that do not rise to become officers instead serve with valor and distinction and often go on to serve as sergeants in scout brotherhoods, their grizzled countenances overseeing the proper growth of the next generation.

Company Organization
The Star Wardens since their inception have always been a non-codex compliant chapter, made even worse by their long period of self-exile soon after their creation. The Star Wardens instead of a typical chapter structure is more like a warrior fraternity. The chapter as of 115.M42 is comprised entirely of primaris marines and is split into ten companies. A Scout Company commanded by the Master of Recruits, who is also the most venerable dreadnought in the chapter, a veteran First Company commanded by the First Captain, and eight Crusade-Companies each commanded by a Captain. These companies are further broken down into formations called brotherhoods. Brotherhoods are an equivalent to squads in other chapters and consist of marines who choose to fight alongside each other based on oaths of friendship and honor, each brotherhood contains anywhere from five to ten marines. The composition of these brotherhoods are not static, and often change depending on the current mission and as battlefield losses accrue. These brotherhoods are lead by Warcraft Veterans who act as sergeants. These veterans bring vital experience and skill to the squad level and act as force multipliers in combat. The Crusade-Companies are comprised of brotherhoods analogous to Codex formations. Each Crusade-Company contains standard command elements, six intercessor brotherhoods, two hellblaster brotherhoods, and either 2 reiver brotherhoods or 2 inceptor brotherhoods. Each crusade-company also includes a detachment of redemptor dreadnoughts. The First Company is comprised of those Warcraft Veterans who are instead of leading brotherhoods serve as elite aggressor brotherhoods. These aggressor brotherhoods are the most experienced and skilled members of the chapter and it is them that form the spearhead of the chapter’s daring boarding actions and deadly urban firefights. The scout company is where the marines of tomorrow train and fight for the chapter. They typically handle reconnaissance and initial ground operations while the chapter prosecutes the void battle above. The chapter as a whole is controlled by a Commander, who is both Chapter Master of all astartes and Master of the Fleet. As a fleet-based chapter, all operations are planned and overseen from the Imperial Sovereign a star fortress which serves as the chapter monastery. The Star Wardens tend to prosecute wars as one chapter, with attachments radiating out from the Imperial Sovereign to achieve objectives within a sector.

Ranking System
The Star Wardens due to their nature have an extremely simple ranking system. Rank is more of a recognition of skill and experience and is a relatively informal and fluid structure. The Star Warden ranking system is as follows:
 * Commander-Highest ranking member of the chapter and serves as both Chapter Master and Master of the Fleet
 * First Captain/Master-The First Captain is the Commanders designated successor and leads the veteran First Company. The various Masters are in command of the various specialist formations within the chapter, such as the armory, apothecarion, and the Order of the Keepers. Also counted amongst them is the Master of Recruits, who is the most venerable of the chapter's dreadnoughts and is in charge of the scout company. It should be noted that the head of the Keepers, the Master of Histories, informally commands much respect and influence within the chapter
 * Captain/Master of Recruits-The eight Captains of the Star Wardens each command a Crusade-Company and leads them into battle. It is from them that the First Captain is elected by his peers.
 * Lieutenant-Lieutenants are the most junior officer rank within the chapter and assists their Captains with leading the crusade-companies. There are two Lieutenants to each Crusade-Company and each acts as battlefield sub-commanders when the entire company is deployed, or they can independently lead smaller formations referred to as demi-companies.
 * Warcraft Veteran-Particularly experienced and skilled Crusade-Brothers are selected by the chapter's officers to join the ranks of the Warcraft Veterans. These honored individuals fulfill multiple roles within the chapter, they lead brotherhoods in battle, serve as elite aggressor brotherhoods in the First Company, and it is from them that the chapter's officers are elected.
 * Specialists-While not officially part of the chapter's rank structure these astartes fulfill vital roles as techmarines, apothecaries, and keepers and their skills tend to put them in a position of respect higher than that of a standard Crusade-Brother.
 * Crusade-Brother-After decades of augmentation, hypnotherapy, training, and combat experience a scout is raised to the rank of Crusade-Brother and becomes a full member of the chapter. By far the most numerous of the chapter's ranks and it is they who make up the chapter's brotherhoods and undertake the largest portion of combat duties.
 * Scouts-Scout is a designation given to those Neophytes have advanced far enough into their training and mastered the difficulties imposed by the mutations in the chapter's black carapace enough to undertake combat missions. These Scouts perform recon missions and prep ground operations until their class successfully graduate into full Crusade-Brothers.
 * Neophytes-Neophyte is the lowest rank within the chapter and it consists of those aspirants that are accepted into the chapter and assigned to a Neophyte class every decade. These Neophytes undertake training and augmentation until those that survive are deemed ready to undertake combat missions.
 * Aspirant-Although not technically part of the chapter, aspirant is a term for all those being tested and evaluated for entry within a particular Neophyte class

Chapter Beliefs and Culture
The Star Wardens formulate most of their beliefs from the teachings of Zephran Caul, the founder of the Order of the Keepers. His teachings have caused the Star Wardens to be staunch believers in the old Imperial Truth and to venerate the ideals of the Great Crusade. Due to this, the Star Wardens have an immense distaste for all religion and superstition. This has throughout their history lead to trouble between them and the Ecclesiarchy, as well as caused the chapter to grow distant from the wider Imperium. Indeed, the chapter for most of its existence has looked into the past and longed for the Imperium to be restored to the glory it held during the Great Crusade. In recent times the resurrection of Gulliman and the addition of his primaris marine have renewed the chapter’s hope and now they believe the Imperium has a chance moving forwards to forge a new greater destiny.

To outsiders the Star Wardens appear cold and aloof, responding to their allies with terse politeness that gives nothing of their thoughts away. This is a result of the long isolation and estrangement the chapter suffered from the Imperium for most of their history. Within the chapter, however, another side is shown. The Star Wardens are more like a warrior fraternity than a standard chapter. Astartes fight alongside those who they share bonds of brotherhood and honor with and rank is mostly a marker of respect and skill. The atmosphere of the chapter is that of informal camaraderie. Squadmates laugh and tell stories of past exploits in communal banquet halls, while friendly sparring rings out across training rooms. Star Wardens are assigned to brotherhoods based on personal ability and it is often a fluid process that changes as members grow in experience and make new bonds of friendship. All command positions down even to the squad level are given over to the Warcraft Veterans who also serve in elite Aggressor brotherhoods within the First Company. Even when referring to officers astartes treat each other as brothers and equals and it is not unusual to see a captain laughing alongside line marines when stories and jokes are told. The only exception is to the Order of the Keepers. The chapter’s Keepers hold an aura of great respect within the chapter and are treated by their brother’s with solemn reverence. Due to the beliefs of the chapter the Star Wardens has a slight disdain for the vast majority of Imperials and this has led to them being somewhat isolationist, preferring to keep to themselves and to show outsiders a cool reception.

Chapter Gene-Seed
Star Warden's gene-seed is a unique and vital part of the chapter's character and traditions. Like all successors of the Imperial Fists the Star Warden's lack a Betcher's Gland and a Sus-an Membrane. This means that they cannot produce acid spittle nor can they enter a state of suspended animation. Additionally, the Star Warden gene-seed has two unique mutations. First, the gene-seed is without exception rejected almost immediately by those displaying psychic talents. This means that the chapter is unable to form a Librarius. Second, the chapter's Black Carapace has a mutation whereupon any implanted with it are subjected to constant pain. While this might be considered a curse by others the Star Wardens view this both as a punishment for letting the Imperium stray from the Emperor's light and as a way to improve oneself. Once the pain has been mastered, members of the chapter meditate upon that pain to increase focus and clarity. In battle, the Star Wardens capitalize on that pain to endure unusual levels of injury, and to help keep their minds clear from potential temptation from psychic abilities or the temptations of the warp.

Chapter Recruitment
Once the Star Wardens have cleared a system of threats they will screen the population for Aspirants. These Aspirants are selected based not only on physical strength, mental acuity, and genetic compatibility but also tested on their ability to endure pain and to remain solid in one’s convictions in the face of adversity. Those that meet the chapter’s rigorous standards are taken aboard the Star Wardens star fort the Imperial Sovereign, where they are subjected to extreme hardship and pain. Those that emerge alive and intact are inducted into a Neophyte class. A new Neophyte class is formed every ten Terran years and those within are subjected to intense training, biological augmentation, and endless classes on the history and culture of the chapter. After ten years those that have both survived and are deemed worthy move on to the next stage of training and a new class is formed to fill their place. There are three classes active at any one time, each at the various stages of training and the size of each class varies based on the needs of the chapter. Once the Neophytes move on to the second stage of training they then spend another ten years undergoing more advanced training and complete their biological augmentation. The final test proving that they can withstand the intense pain caused by the genetic flaw in the chapter’s black carapace. Those that can withstand this agony and use it to fuel their focus move on the to the third and final stage of training. In the third stage, the Neophytes are graduated to the rank of Scout and are allowed to form scout brotherhoods under the watchful gaze of a Warcraft Veteran mentor. At this time begin to undertake combat missions in the name of the chapter, scouting out enemy forces, preparing the way for ground operations, and undertaking minor independent missions. After ten years of combat experience within the scout company, the survivors are hardened warriors with three decades of training and experience and are finally deemed worthy to be given the honor of wearing power armor as a full member of the chapter. While, class sizes and failed candidates vary the Star Wardens average a rate of about fifty new Crusade-Brothers a decade, although this has been greatly accelerated in recent times.

Combat Doctrine
The Star Wardens are masters at conducting war within the cold vacuum of the void. The officers of the chapter are all accomplished ship masters command their ships with skill and grace. Due to this, the chapter prefers to prosecute battle in three primary ways, ship-to-ship battle, boarding actions, and orbital bombardment. The chapter will typically only commit forces to planetary strikes if civilian lives and planetary infrastructure must be preserved or if the enemy is unreachable by bombardment. For minor missions on the surface of planets the chapter typically deploys scout brotherhoods to accomplish these goals, however, if the need requires it they will deploy their astartes in mass to conduct the devastating shock assaults that are the signature of the Adeptus Astartes. Due to being experts at dangerous boarding actions into the cramped confines of enemy void vessels, the Star Wardens are also adept at combat within urban environments. This aids them when clearing out massive hive cities that the chapter cannot level with orbital bombardments. The Star Wardens are also notable for the fact the generally the chapter travels and fights as one, bringing the full force of the chapter against their foes.

Deathwatch Service
Since returning to the Imperial fold in the wake of the First Tyrannic War the Star Wardens have been staunch supporters of the Deathwatch. Dozens of Star Wardens undergo the Long Vigil in a myriad number of watch fortresses at any given time, and these astartes are some of the most potent killers of the Tyranid in the galaxy. These grizzled and skilled brothers are sent from the chapter so that the Star Wardens fight against the Tyranid may never end, and in the hopes that upon their return these veterans may bring back new knowledge and tactics to be used against the Great Devourer. Many notable Star Wardens have served in the Deathwatch including the current Commander Joachim Garen, who legendarily served almost a century with the Deathwatch. The majority of Star Wardens seconded to the Deathwatch undertake their vigil at either Talasa Prime, Damaroth, or Watch Fortress Erioch. The Star Wardens can be found, however, at many other Watch Fortresses.

Notable Members

 * Master Zephran Caul- Zephran Caul is the most revered figure in the history of the Star Wardens and the founder of the chapter's Order of Keepers. A former chaplain of the Black Templars, Caul was changed forever when he was brought forward to meet with the Emperor himself. In addition to the rare title of Auditorii Imperator, Caul also was changed deeply from the experience. He renounced his oaths and became a fervent believer in the Imperial Truth. His teachings eventually became honored creed for the Star Wardens, and the scrolls containing his lectures are some of the Star Warden's most revered relics.


 * Commander Joachim Garen- Joachim Garen is the current Chapter Master of the Star Wardens and is responsible for seeing the chapter through some of its darkest moments. Garen served admirably in the 4th Crusade-Company for decades before eventually being seconded to the Deathwatch. Garen's skill and demeanor were well suited for the Long Vigil and he resolved to make his stay permanent, serving for well over a century, eventually obtaining the rank of Watch-Captain. His long service with the Deathwatch came to an end however when the Second Tyranid War convinced him to rejoin his chapter. Garen quickly rose to the rank of First Captain within the Star Wardens and after the events of the Hydraxa campaign, he became the new Chapter Master, when Commander Falken fell in battle against a Bloodthirster. Garen has since lead the Star Wardens through their greatest triumphs and blackest defeats. A consummate tactician Garen typically directs the chapter from aboard their star fort, or in command of one of the chapter's battle-barges. However, Garen is still an extremely accomplished combatant and when required he has no hesitation in leading a boarding action personally to bloody effect.
 * Master Halden Grast- Master Grast is the current Master of Histories for the Star Warden chapter. It is he who ensures that the chapter follows the Imperial Truth and that the chapter's exploits are properly recorded. Grast is a zealous and charismatic leader whose faith in the Imperial Truth borders on the fanatical. This contrasts him greatly with Commander Garen and the two often act as foils for each other despite their strong friendship. Not content to sit in the dusty halls of the Imperial Sovereign Grast prefers to inspire from the frontline. He wades into battle screaming the lessons and deeds of the past while swinging his massive two-handed crozius, the Mace of Devotion into any who dare stand in his path. The same Crozius once wielded by Zephran Caul himself.
 * Ancient Gunther- Ancient Gunther is a MKIV Ironclad dreadnought undergoing permanent secondment to the Deathwatch. Gunther personally was part of the response force that slew the Bloodthirster in order to avenge Commander Falken during the Hydraxa Campaign, and was the only Star Warden dreadnought to survive that horrible conflict. However the exposure to that much Khornate energy changed Gunther, and he developed a near constant rage and desire to slaughter the enemies of mankind. This rage is for some reason fixated on the Tyranids, a historical nemesis of the chapter, and his hatred is beyond the normal for even the Star Wardens. As a result, the Star Wardens gave Gunther the honor of permanent secondment to the Deathwatch, so that the chapter's crusade against the Tyranids never truly ceases. Stationed in Watch Fortress Excelsior Gunther notably partook in the defense of the planet Xi'an, against the awakening of a Necron tomb.
 * Venerable Johan, Master of Recruits- Originally Captain of the 4th Company, Johan was gravely wounded and interred in the Chassis of a Redemptor Dreadnought during the defense of the Azuran sector. Following the battle, Johan was made the new Master of Recruits, and is, at least officially, with overseeing future generations of Star Wardens. Before his internmentJohan was a fiery and jovial captain, he was renowned for leading his company from the front in deadly airborne drops to secure landing zones on planets. His brotherhoods frequently equipped with jump packs and flame-based weapons to deal judgment from on high. Johan is a lifetime friend of Commander Garen, as the two were trained as scouts together and served in the same brotherhood for much of their early careers. It was Johan that stood by his side as he slowly grew used to being back from his century-long service with the Deathwatch. None were more supportive when Garen was elevated to the rank of chapter master, and Johan's internment was a hard blow for Garen.
 * Lieutenant Ducan- Lieutenant Ducan is a rising star within the chapter and has sworn a vow of personal vengeance against the Master haemonculi of the Coven of Twisted Pain. Ducan was one of only a handful of survivors from the 9th Crusade-Company to live after the Star Wardens were ambushed by the coven during the Indomitus Crusade. After the battle Ducan swore vengeance and was promoted to the ranks of the Warcraft Veterans, being placed in command of a Reiver Brotherhood. Ducan would lead his Reivers in search of the Twisted Pain during the Khaigara Crusade. Ducan would manage to find and engage the haemonculi in combat and although both were severely wounded the haemonculi managed to escape, albeit with most of his coven destroyed. Due to Ducan's actions he was promoted to lieutenant and assigned to the 2nd Crusade-Company under Captain Brandt. Ducan, however, still burns with the desire to have final vengeance against the Twisted Pain.
 * Veteran Kruger- Veteran Kruger is a Warcraft Veteran currently serving in the Deathwatch. Kruger is one of the few surviving members of the pre-Hydraxian Star Wardens and after undergoing the Rubicon Primaris he fought for over a decade on Vigilus. After Vigilus Kruger was seconded to the Deathwatch where his skill at arms and utter dedication to the mission has proven invaluable. It is up to him to continue the fight against the Tyranid and to bring back any new knowledge gleaned back to the chapter. Kruger most often fights as a flamestorm aggressor, but occasionally will arm himself in standard tacticus power armor and with an auto-bolt rifle with attached grenade launcher.

Colors
Crusade-Brothers- Crusade-Brothers wear power armor of a dark gray, the right knee and chest eagle is painted gold, while the shoulder trim, helmet stripe, elbows, and backpack are painted black, and the arms and shoulder insets are rendered in a snowy white,

Warcraft-Veterans- Wear the same color scheme as a Crusade-Brother except with a white helmet to denote their veteran status.

Officers- Lieutenants show their rank with a white helmet featuring a golden helmet stripe and pauldron trim. Additionally, Captains wear black tabards helmet crest, with the First Captain sporting a golden helmet crest and tabard. Commander Garen himself wears artificer armor resembling a creamy marble, regal golden filigree and embellishments, and a tabard of rich purple.

Specialists- Apothecaries wear all white armor with red shoulder trim and chest eagle, Techmarines wear all crimson armor, and Keepers of History wear black armor with golden cloaks.

Symbols
The most common symbol of the Star Wardens is the black crossed seven-sided star rendered on a white field. This serves as the chapter badge and represents both their Primarch Dorn as the seventh of the Emperor's sons and how the stars make up the birthright of humanity that the chapter has solemnly sworn to act as the wardens of. Other symbols common are crusade badges typically worn on the greave that shows important campaigns members have fought in, kill-skulls painted on the vambrace that represents kills of particular note, and many other more obscure markings.

Chapter Relics

 * Mace of Devotion- The Mace of Devotion is a massive two-handed Crozius that was originally wielded by Zephran Caul, and has since been handed down to every subsequent Master of History. Master Halden Grast is the current wielder of this revered and deadly relic.
 * Birthright- Birthright is a master-crafted power axe wielded by Commander Joachim Garen
 * Daybreak- Daybreak is a relic master-crafted Volkite Charger wielded by Commander Joachim Garen. Daybreak is modified to have a greater rate of fire and be easier to fire on the move than a normal Volkite Charger.
 * Scrolls of the Great Crusade- The Scrolls of the Great Crusade is the single most revered relic of the chapter. The Scrolls of the Great Crusade are a series of fragments of documents of notes written by the Primarch Rogal Dorn himself. These notes range from history to tactics and are held in a stasis capsule worn at all times by the current Master of History. The Star Wardens themselves will without hesitation spend their lives to keep such a relic safe, and when in its presence the Star Wardens are elevated to new levels of zeal and tactical inspiration.

Allies

 * House Alastair - House Alastair is a Knight House hailing from the Knight World of Crusis. The Knights of Alastair fought alongside the Star Wardens numerous times during the Indomitus Crusade, creating bonds of friendship and oaths of honor between the two. Sir Cristaan a Knight from Alastair was forced to undertake penance as a freeblade for failing to obey orders. Becoming known as Temperance he oathed himself to the Star Wardens and fought by their side until Garen declared his penance fulfilled following the end of the Khaigara Crusade. Temperance was allowed to return to his house to regain his honor and glory anew.


 * Imperial Navy - Due to their emphasis on void combat since their return from exile the Star Wardens frequently fight alongside the voidsmen of the Imperial Navy. Over time they have developed strong bonds within Battlefleet Ultima and with Battlefleet Aritha, especially during the recent defense of the Azuran Sector.


 * Ordo Sanctorum- Due to the Star Wardens believing strongly in the Imperial Truth they have always conflicted highly with the Ecclesiarchy. Since they cannot openly work against Ecclesiarchy they instead work closely with the Ordo Sanctorum in order to police the Eccleiarchy from gaining too much influence. To this extent, the Star Wardens always keep a garrison of astartes in service to the Ordo Sanctorum outside their standard order of battle. This garrison typically is around company strength and acts as a rapid response force for Ordo Sanctorum Inquisitors to call upon. They are known to frequently work for the Inquisitor Caleb Cristo.
 * Forge World Manis- During the Khaigara Crusade the Star Wardens were contacted by an Archmagos of the Forge World Manis. This Archmagos informed the Star Wardens that the peoples of the Cordanian system were secret followers of the Imperial Truth. Due to this an alliance was swiftly struck between the two factions and after the conflict the Star Wardens based their Star Fort in the Cordanain system. While stationed in the system the Star Wardens were able to resupply and gather recruits in exchange for protecting the system from internal and external threats. This agreement lasted for several decades until the chapter was forced to leave to aid in the defense of the Azuran sector.

Enemies

 * Black Legion- Although the Star Wardens have a deep hatred for all traitorous astartes they have a particular hatred for the Black Legion. Immediately following the end of the Indomitus Crusade the Star Wardens were ambushed by two Black legion warbands and subsequently lost half their number. Commander Garen consumed with rage swore revenge against the Black Legion. After years of fighting on VIgilus Black Legion forces revealed themselves, and the Star Wardens finally had a chance to enact that vengeance.
 * Tyranids- There is no foe more hated by the Star Wardens than the Tyranids. It was the invasion of Behemoth that convinced the Star Wardens to end their long exile and to return to the Imperial Fold. Ever since the Star Wardens have fought the Tyranid menace at every opportunity. They have fought in all three Tyrannic Wars and dozens of Star Wardens serve vigils in the Deathwatch at any one time, continuing the chapter's crusade against the Tyranid in perpetuity and bringing back new lore on the Tyranids back to the chapter.


 * Ecclesiarchy- Due to their conflicting beliefs the Star Wardens have always clashed with the Ecclesiarchy and their agents. It was the Star Warden's excesses during the Great Cull that eventually lead to the Star Wardens engaging in a self-imposed exile. To this day the Star Wardens still view the Ecclesiarchy as the epitome of the decline of the Imperium and often work with the Ordo Sanctorum to make sure another Reign of Blood never occurs.
 * Coven of the Twisted Pain- The Drukhair Haemonculus Coven known as the Twisted Pain is another enemy of the Star Wardens chapter. During the Indomitus Crusade, the Star Wardens were ambushed by the forces of the Twisted Pain losing two companies with their gene-seed ruined. Garen himself almost lost his life had it not been for the intervention of the Ordinators chapter master, and the chapter swore revenge. After the Indomitus Crusade, the Star Wardens joined the Ordinators in the Khaigara Crusade, both as a way to honor their debt and to pursue rumors of the Twisted Pain. The Star Wardens succeeded in destroying the Drukhari port of Khaigara and wiped out most of the Twisted Pain. However, a small part of the Coven managed to escape back to Commorragh and now they plan a vengeance of their own.

About the Star Wardens
"Though I question their spiritual validity within the Adeptus Astartes as an all-Primaris chapter, a product of Belisarius Cawl rather than the God-Emperor, their character cannot be doubted. These Star Wardens have proven themselves to be devoted protectors of mankind to me ten times over in Port Khaigara. I trust them more than any of their kind I have yet met."

- Decimus Aurelian, Legatus of the Ordinators