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Void Reapers
"From the void we come - darkness there, and nothing more."

- Ancient Proverb

The Void Reapers are a savage and bellicose Space Marine Chapter created during an Unknown Founding and from uncertain origin. However, many Imperial savants believe they were created during the latter centuries of M37, during the 23rd Founding, the so-called 'Sentinel' Founding, one of many such Chapters created during this tumultuous era in Imperial history and intended to repair the power and reach of the Adeptus Astartes that had suffered considerable losses in the preceding millennia. However, scattered records throughout Imperial history make brief mentions of ferocious Astartes clad in the same silver, black and gold livery as that worn by the bloody-handed Void Reapers Chapter. Many Imperial savants have come to the conclusion that the Reapers are, in fact, an alleged Successor Chapter of the venerable and mysterious Raven Guard due to their similar tactics and genetic idiosyncrasies displayed by the Astartes of this Chapter, however, this remains inconclusive.

The true origins of this fierce Space Marine Chapter remains shrouded in the midsts of long-lost antiquity, thousands of standard years in the past. It is said there exists some speculative accounts that supposedly stretch all the way back to the early decades of M31, following the end of the Great Scouring and the subsequent sundering of the Space Marine Legions into separate Chapters, giving rise to the Chapters of the Second Founding. These accounts allege that the Void Reapers are, in fact, one of these ancient 'Primogenitor Chapters', indicating that they are far older than what is stated in official Imperial records, and whose true origins harken back to the dark days of the Horus Heresy.

An isolationist and aloof Chapter, the Void Reapers are a law unto themselves and virtually ignore other Imperial forces and other Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes, preferring to operate as an independent strike force. This deadly Chapter are hunters in the dark - who dwell deep in the cold, dark depths of the void - only rushing to the surface to ambush their prey and utterly annihilate their foes. Then just as suddenly as they appear, the Reapers disappear back into the blackness of the deep void, fading away from official accounts - but not from memory - as their dire reputation and darkly-famed legend continues to grow with each bloody-handed deed and unexpected strike.

Nomadic Chapter Fleet
Scattered records about the Void Reapers imply that the Chapter has no set home world. This is uncommon for a Space Marine Chapter to operate solely as a warfleet on a perpetual Crusade, although it is not unheard of. However, the Reapers do not follow the standard Crusade pattern of operation when it comes to a fleet-based Chapter. Instead, they rely upon the archaic Nomad-Predation pattern of deployment, which allows the Reapers to be an entirely sovereign force that could sustain itself without any support whatsoever. Moving as a singular, unified force, the fleet of the Void Reapers will often deploy enmasse during a campaign. The main body of the fleet will arrive at their destination and form a blockade in orbit. Meanwhile, several individual companies are dispatched to fight on the frontlines as a rapid-strike force. At other times, the Void Reapers attempt to maintain as broad a reach as possible. Individual companies regularly operate on independent duty dispersed throughout the galaxy to better fulfil their ancient mandate of aiding humanity at any time and in any place.

The Chapter's Void-Brothers (Battle-Brothers) have participated in countless Crusades, which range in scale from targeting only a few worlds within a star system to enormous wars that extended across entire sub-sectors. As it participates in these countless efforts to make recompense for the Imperium's past sins, the Chapter continually proves its value as guardians and warrior-ambassadors to those places where Mankind had not yet ventured.

The main body of the Chapter fleet is a vast affair, consisting of; one formidable relic capital vessel, four strike cruisers, one destroyer and three battle-barges, they also boast hundreds of various auxiliary craft, including several support vessels as true warships and a number of voidships capable of both combat and maintenance/repairs. The Chapter's forge ships are known to be able to salvage, repair and produce a wide variety of Adeptus Astartes wargear, consisting of a range of technology, including the capability to maintain and construct new Dreadnought chassis and fabricate some armoured vehicles and aerial support craft.

Due to their propensity for combat, it seems unlikely that the Reapers tolerate vessels in their fleet's ranks that could not hold their own on the battle line. As a Nomad-Predation fleet, the Reapers voyage indefinitely, tarrying only to identify and engage the foes of man.

Chapter Recruitment
As a fleet-based Chapter, the Void Reapers are ratherly gathered enmasse except at the commencement of a major Crusade called by the Hunter Prime (Chapter Master). Most often the forces of the Chapter are dispersed to multiple task forces deployed to various expeditions and war zones spread over the vast distances of space. It is not unheard of for individual task forces to be out of communication with the rest of the Chapter for years, even decades at a time. Given these factors, each Shoal and battle group has to manage its own affairs and the recruiting of new initiates when and wherever opportunities arise. Since they have no single source of potential Aspirants, the Void Reapers recruit from many different worlds, returning their new brethren to the Chapter flagship to complete their formal training when practical.

Red Tithes
It is the duty of a Void Reapers' Reaper Lord, beyond the duties of the Captaincy of their company, to ensure that the Chapter is constantly supplied with a fresh intake of potential Aspirants. This is normally achieved during the so-called "Red Tithes," when the Chapter's Edicts of Exile permit them to descend on an Imperial world and harvest the population of adolescent males. The vast majority of those taken will go on to become slaves and serf labourers in the Chapter's great fleet, providing the means by which the Void Reapers can continue to function in exile. Those of the right age and temperament, however, will undertake arduous trials. Few will survive to become initiates as the degree of attrition during the induction process is higher than most standard Space Marine Chapters, but this is an unavoidable legacy of the Void Reapers' unique nature.

Chapter Organisation
Differing somewhat from the prescriptions of the Codex Astartes in command structure, the Void Reapers remains true to its tenets at the tactical and squad level. This however does not carry over to its command structure and company arrangements. Instead, the Reapers seem to split their Chapter into a number of Battle Companies (known as 'Shoals') designed to operate independently. Deploying across the width and breadth of the galaxy, each company commander is functionally a commander of his own strike vessel. These companies function independently, often years at a time, with each of these vessels maintaining a separate armoury of vehicles and support craft in addition to its normal complement of Astartes. Each of the Chapter's vessels is supplemented by an augmented auxiliary force of Scout Marines, Primaris Reivers and Vanguard Marines for reconnaissance and evaluation of the enemy, and a dedicated spearhead of Terminator Veterans who serve as the company Captain's bodyguard. In this way, each has access to the expertise offered by the Chapter's Veteran brethren as well as the opportunity to train initiates and use them on infiltration missions. A side-effect of this unique approach is that newly recruited members often fail to grasp the full scope of their Chapter until the next major gathering. To overcome this, many initiates are transferred to another Shoal before their training is completed. In this way, some sense of connection between the different companies can be maintained. Due to this practice, the Void Reapers eschew Reserve Companies entirely.

Very few accounts exist that tell of the Void Reaper's very disciplined order of deployment and battle, irrespective of the evidence from observers that they are a barbarous and savage Chapter. Their tactical deployments and use of shock-assault tactics gives the Reapers the desire to close with the enemy in bloody personal combat.

Specialist Ranks
The Void Reapers' order of battle contains several officer positions not present in other Space Marine Chapters, though they largely resemble the standard Codex ranks:
 * Hunter Prime (Chapter Master)
 * Company Master (Captain (Space Marine)|Captain)
 * Reaper Lord - A Reaper Lord is an additional title given to a Company Master. Beyond the Captaincy of their own company, it is their job to ensure the Chapter is constantly supplied with fresh Aspirants, normally achieved during the "Red Tithes," when the Chapter's Edicts of Exile permitted it to descend on an Imperial world to harvest the population for Chapter Serfs and potential Aspirants.
 * Harvester Prime - A Harvester Prime is an additional title that is also given to a Company Master. It is their duty to seek out archeotech and lost technology on the isolated worlds that lie in the outer dark. This acquisition of technology is achieved during a so-called "Grey Tithe," and traded to the Tech-priests of Mars for Astartes arms and equipment, per the Chapter's ancient pact with the Adeptus Mechanicus.
 * Strike Leader (Sergeant (Space Marine)|Sergeant)
 * Void-Brother (Battle-Brother)

Specialist Formations

 * The Red Tide (Terminator Veteran Marines) - These Terminator Armoured elite are the Veteran warriors of the Chapter. All Red Tide habitually remain armed and armoured at all times. The Terminator battle-plate they wear is heavily inscribed with red exile markings and often hung with the yellowing predator incisors that are collected by some Void Reapers. In most Chapters, members of the Veteran 1st Company were often seconded to Battle Companies to supplement their fighting power. In the Void Reapers Astra they serve an additional purpose. Utterly loyal to the incumbent Chapter Master, they are deployed on the most vital missions -- usually tithings -- to ensure that the overriding objectives are met and the Chapter's needs satisfied. The Reapers' mode of warfare means that individual companies can spend Terran years separated from the main Nomad Predation fleet. In such circumstances the Red Tide are responsible for seeing the orders of their Chapter Master carried out. The Red Tide also, however, fall under the command of the Company Master they are assigned to, and are bound to follow his orders, provided they do not directly contradict the mission assigned by the Chapter.
 * Devourers (Assault Marines)

Chapter Wargear
Like their supposed progenitors, the Void Reapers demonstrate a number of highly distinctive traits and trappings that set them apart from more Codex-oriented, cousin Chapters. Their equipment has been observed to be of ancient provenance. Much of their arms, vehicles, wargear and other technology are of designs and patterns that cover the span of the Imperium's breadth and history. The Chapter also seems to possess an unusual contingent of Terminator Armour suits, of which many appear to be heavily modified or augmented in unorthodox ways to keep them combat-worthy. Due to historical losses of irreplaceable equipment that have never been fully replenished, the Void Reapers have learned to carefully shepherd their resources in terms of equipment. The Chapter's techmarines have become particularly adept not only in maintaining and repairing the Chapter's wargear and vehicles, but in reclaiming and restoring weapons and gear they might come across in their long crusades. This has led to some speculation and concern in the past over the Void Reapers' tendency to use non-Codex approved arms and equipment, though such heretical practices have never been proven.

Grey Tithes
It is the duty of a Void Reapers' Harvester Prime, beyond the duties of the Captaincy of their company, to ensure that the Chapter is constantly supplied with arms and equipment. They are also responsible for seeking out ancient archeotech on long-lost worlds that lie within the vast void of the Outer Dark. This acquisition of technology is known as a "Grey Tithe." Through ancient pacts with the Tech-priests of various forge worlds, the Carcharodons trade this lost technology for weapons, Power Armour, equipment and even vehicles. In times of desperation, the Void Reapers do not always adhere to the tenets of their ancient pact with the Adeptus Mechanicus and take matters into their hands. Rumours abound that the Chapter's techmarines have secretly taken the field following a battle and salvaged wargear and equipment from fallen Astartes - from both friend and enemy alike. Though Inquisitorial investigations into these allegations have proven unsubstantiated, should they prove to be true, the Void Reapers could face censure or an even more severe punishment as well as the long-lasting enmity of their fellow Adeptus Astartes Chapters.

Combat Doctrine
The Void Reapers roughly follow the organizational tenets laid down in the Codex Astartes, but otherwise show considerable variation with regards to tactics. In particular, their preference for shock assaults and close combat make them similar to the Black Templars. On the surface, the Reapers will appear to deploy similar to what might be expected of a Codex Battle Company, although it has been noted that it augments by an auxiliary force of Scouts, Assault Squads known as Devourers, and dedicated squads of Terminator-armored Veterans known as the Red Tide.

Although the Chapter seems to maintains a sizable amount of armoured vehicles, the Reapers as a whole seem to prefer infantry-based strategies, relying on the battle-prowess of its Marines to carry the day. Lighting assaults presage by reconnaissance by small scouting forces are commonly observed, with surprise often the key factor in carrying the attack through. When resistance proves too heavy or the reaction of the enemy too swift, the Chapter’s forces often quickly withdraw, to avoid heavy losses and, more importantly, to strike at another direction. This is repeated again and again until a weakness is eventually found, upon which the full brunt of the assault forces are brought to bear to bring the encounter to a swift end.

The Chapter’s armory has also been noted to consist mostly of old-style suits of Power Armor, particularly the Mark-V Heresy Pattern, and weaponry. The Void Reapers’ complement of Terminator Armour in particular showed extensive modification to keep them combat worthy.

Chapter Gene-Seed
The Void Reapers Gene-seed is of unknown origins but is quite unique. Prone to degeneration and mutation and exhibiting features similar to Raven Guard gene-seed, Reapers have a pale, almost deathly pallor. They are also known for their liquid-black eyes and vicious nature, frequently disregarding civilian casualties in conflict.

Deathwatch Service
Only rare occasions, it has happened when lone Space Marines in grey livery and speaking ancient variants of High Gothic have arrived at the fortresses of the Deathwatch. When pressed, some of these Space Marines have said they hailed from a Chapter known as the Void Reapers.

Notable Void Reapers

 * Eitath -


 * Skele -


 * Kyaneus -


 * Aibek -


 * Jadyr -


 * Kolyk -


 * Nironen -


 * Deyth -


 * Anuri -


 * Kobaeh -


 * Yiraka -


 * Artaibo -


 * Naasori -

Chapter Fleet
The vessels of the Void Reapers' fleet are a mismatch of old and heavily modified classes and capabilities. Within its line of battle are numerous examples of either very ancient, salvaged or extensively repaired vessels. Many fleet-based Space Marine Chapters use the conventional Crusade Chapter pattern, but the Void Reapers follow the rarer, so-called "Nomad-Predation" pattern.

The Void Reapers had used this unique pattern due to their long durations operating beyond the Imperium's borders. Acting as a self-contained force which could function with recourse to the Imperium. When the Void Reapers were despatched on-Crusade in 002.M31 they possessed an original complement of thirteen capital voidcraft and a score of smaller starships, most of their exact classes unknown:


 * Fero Karcharos ("Savage Shark" - Goliath-class Battleship) - An ancient Great Crusade-era capital ship of the XIX Legion that would go on to serve as the flagship of the exiled Void Reapers Chapter. It is a monster of a vessel and a weapon of terrible destructive presence, easily outclassing many warships utilised by the Imperial Navy in the 41st Millennium. One of many vessels that had been out of commission since the days of the Heresy and being one of a number of vessels considered too powerful to be left in the hands of any single commander after the betrayals of the Heresy. The Void Reapers had clearly preserved theirs since their self-imposed exile over ten millennia earlier. This massive vessel is covered with weapons towers, crenellations and Macrocannon-studded flanks, the arching crest of its bridge block and, most fearsome of all, the vast, spinal-mounted exo-laser battery that runs down its length. Serving as the Chapter's mobile fortress-monastery, this formidable vessel serves as their primary location for command operations and Chapter coordination. This grants the Chapter a greater level of flexibility for those instances when it becomes necessary to assemble multiple companies prior to embarking upon a Crusade. The Chapter's flagship also contains the Chapter's main Reclusiam, Reliquary and Apothecarion, where the Chapter's genetic legacy is securely stored within the bowels of this mighty vessel. The Fero Karcharos bears substantially powerful void shields and a small, dedicated garrison for the ship's defence. The Void Reapers take extreme measures to ensure the safety of their genetic legacy. Often, several vessels will fly in close formation to the flagship, offering additional protection by it's void shields, and will willingly sacrifice themselves in order to ensure the survival of their genetic heritage at any cost.


 * Umbra Ungula ("Shadow Claw" - Warpsite-Class Battle-Barge) -


 * Rostrum Acutum ("Sharp Beak" - Warspite-Class Battle-Barge) -


 * Alis Irae ("Wings of Wrath" - Ironclad-Class Battle-Barge) -


 * Auem Nigri ("Black Bird" - Legate-Class Battle-Barge) -


 * Nigrantibus Alis ("Black Wings" - Strike Cruiser) -


 * Umbra Avium ("Shadow Bird" - Strike Cruiser) -


 * Adivarius ("Black Angel" - Strike Cruiser) -


 * Accipiter ("Hawk" - Strike Cruiser) -


 * Cornix ("Crow" - Strike Cruiser) -


 * Gregem ("Flock" - Hunter-Class Destroyer) -

Chapter Colours
The Void Reapers' Chapter colours are primarily grey, including the armorials, poleyns (knee guards), greaves (shin armour) and sabatons (boots). The backpack, helmet, torso and upper leg armour are coloured jet-black, the colour of the deep void, while the shoulder pauldron trim is a dull gold colour. Reports indicate that they often seem to have abandoned the Codex Astartes-prescribed symbols and insignia that signify rank and assignment in a Shoal. In their place, the Void-Brothers use a wide range of personal and totemic markings, corresponding with their primitivist tendencies. In many instances the more conventional emblems of the Imperium are found alongside idiosyncratic markings, often abstract or depictive images and tokens concerning fanged maws, death's heads, oceanic predators and bloody wounds.

Chapter Badge
The Void Reapers' Chapter badge takes the form of a large white stylised maw of a great shark devouring a human skull, which represents an avatar of the Emperor's rage, and consumer of the damned. Only through consumption is there redemption. This primary symbol is centered upon a pair of crossed scythes, an ancient tool used to reap or cut. They are a potent symbol representing instruments of death, to harvest the souls of the damned.

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Order of Battle
The following represents the order of battle of the Sons of Khonshu Chapter as it currently stands:

Chapter Homeworld
Located near the border of the Ghoul Stars, Zerzura is a harsh Desert World that is located beyond the furthest reaches of known space, northeast of the Segmentum Ultima. Ruled by the Sons of Khonshu, it is a planet comprised of extensive verdant jungles, whose major cities are confined to the westernmost of its two continents. Khonshu is a secondary settlement whose people known as the El Suri, who are the descendants of explorers, and hold considerable pride in their rugged existence. Tradition has it that Khonshu was settled during the Age of Strife by traders blown off-course and subsequently stranded by Warp Storms.

Zerzura
The Imperial world of Zerzura is classified as an Imperial desert world which plays host to the Sons of Khonshu Space Marine Chapter, and as such, is officially listed as an Adeptus Astartes homeworld in Imperial records. Zerzura was settled long ago, during the Dark Age of Technology. Discovered near the outlying southern borders of the Segmentum Tempestus, the planet's first settlers named the newly discovered world 'Zerzura' which means the ' Great White Oasis ', for the colouration of the planet's white shimmering sands. Despite being comprised of mostly desert terrain, there were regions that abounded in palms and lush springs. There was also fertile soil, ideal for planting crops and great rivers and oasis, from which to irrigate the land and draw drinking water from. Indeed, the planet seemed to be a veritable paradise, and so, the settlers landed upon the planet's surface and began to establish the foundation of their great civilisation that would last for millennia.

Geography of Zerzura
As a desert planet, Zerzura possesses a unique and ever changing environment. Most of its surface is sand, but its inhabitants took advantage of the areas of rock that it had. Dozens of mountains, mesas and ergs permeate its surface as well, and many unnatural crevasses and ridges also added to the surface features of the landscape. Various weathered mountain ranges stretched across the planet, breaking up the deserts and sheltering the limited native lifeforms. Rock outcroppings also litter the planet's surface.

The atmosphere consisted of nitrogen and oxygen in measures compatible enough to allow terrans to live on the planet without respiratory equipment. There are also variations in the sands. Some sinks, effected by the fall of sand on their sides, could pull an entire human to his death and crush him. At the planets uppermost point, lay the Polar Caps, a vast expanse of ice, some of which are presumably melted down to make water for the rich, that has never truly been explored. Vast reserves of water are located deep within the mountains of the planet. The northern pole of the planet sits on a large plate of bedrock and is ringed by mountain ranges. This geography, combined with the milder climate, made human habitation at the pole more comfortable and explained the presence of the capital city Aminemephet.

Fight for Survival
The fight for survival on the harsh world has long dominated the settler's cultural identity. The brutal environment of Zerzura necessitated frugal use of energy and resources, especially water. Also, their history with cultural persecution mandated the need for combat knowledge. These two aspects saw them emerge as efficient and hardy warriors, who uses their skills and the environment of Zerzura to fend off offworld opponents who often possess far superior technology and formal training.

The settlers over time started to live in patriarchal tribes. Each tribe resides within one of the many rocky formations that dot the sands of Zerzura. Other human settlers includes the graben population in the urbanized areas. This population consists of traders and offworlders who try to make their living through trade.

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Sons of Odin
The Sons of Odin are a Loyalist Successor Chapter believed to have been created during the Third Founding in 001.M32. The Astartes of this Chapter are the proud scions of Roboute Guilliman. Though they share little in common with their forebears' culture and traditions, they have garnered a reputation for their unbreakable sense of honour and a history of unparalleled skill at arms. In battle, their ferocious mien has often seen them carry the day, when all odds have been stacked against them. The Sons of Odin are unafraid of battles of attrition or mutual destruction, relying on the abilities of their Battle-Brothers to overcome and endure anything the enemy can throw at them. At times this has proven to be a flaw, as the Chapter has a predilection to fight on once engaged where its better strategic judgment might have otherwise prevailed before its bloodlust was roused.

Chapter History
The Space Marine Chapter of the Sons of Odin is steeped in mystery. The circumstances surrounding the Founding of this obscure Chapter is largely unknown. Imperial scholars claim this Chapter's lineage is from the gene-seed stock of the Ultramarines, but this claim has not yet been able to be substantially verified. But when this Chapter is mentioned its battle record is exemplary. Over many millennia the Sons of Odin have proven themselves in countless campaigns to be the most loyal servants of the Emperor, though they remain somewhat mistrusted by their fellow Chapters, due to their strong ties with the Inquisition. The Sons of Odin are a mighty Chapter indeed, not afraid to bring the light of truth of the Emperor to the darkest corners of the galaxy. Nor are they afraid to bring the sword to their enemies; be they daemons, apostates, or xenos. It matters not, for all of the various enemies of Mankind have fallen to the bolter or the sword of this mighty Chapter.

The ancient Chapter of the Sons of Odin can trace its origin back to the bygone era of the Horus Heresy. This was a time of total war - a great schism rent across the Imperium in the wake of the Arch-Traitor Horus' folly. The Warmaster's treachery and deceit ensnared no less than half of the Space Marine Legions, whether by coercion, misdirection or corruption. When the Forces of Chaos invaded the Throneworld and laid siege to the Imperial Palace, they were finally laid low when the Emperor of Mankind boarded the Warmaster's flagship and slew his traitorous son. With the death of the Warmaster the Traitors paused in their assaults, realising that the Arch-Traitor had fallen. They then resumed fighting as they fell back to their transports and fled into orbit. The Armada Imperialis fleet, which been powerless to intervene while the traitors were within the Imperial Palace, gave chase.

In the wake of the Horus Heresy, the Imperium was a dismal, shattered thing. As the beauty and grandeur of the Imperial Palace had been burned black in the flames of betrayal, so great swathes of the Emperor's star-spanning realm had suffered a similar fate. The Master of Mankind was a broken husk, and his dream of unity erased forever. Yet for all this, the Imperium retained might enough to exact a bloody revenge upon its foes. There could be no forgiveness for the crimes of the Traitor Legions -- those who now ruled in the Emperor's name had neither the ability nor the desire to prevent a war of reciprocity. So began the time known in the histories of the Imperium as the Scouring. Before actually being confined for all time within the life support mechanisms of the Golden Throne, the Emperor had pronounced judgment on the Traitors: He declared them Excommunicate Traitoris, and determined that they were to be driven into the hellish region of the Warp rift called the Eye of Terror, which would hold them for all eternity. All records and memory of the Traitor Legions were to be expunged from the Imperial archives.

This was a period of monumental violence, of confusion and darkness. Though the newly founded Imperium fought to root out corruption and expose wrong-doers to the cold light of Imperial justice, the galaxy's scope and dark, shadowed reaches worked against them. With new betrayals and cries for vengeance emerging daily, a great many bloody-handed deeds went unseen. The ravaged Legiones Astartes were no exception to this, with many striving to cover up their own misdemeanours or exact their pound of flesh from those who wronged them. Legions such as the Dark Angels, Space Wolves, Iron Hands and even the Ultramarines, all followed their own agendas as the wars of the Great Scouring gathered pace. Fighting continued for another seven standard years after the Heresy had ended with Horus' death on the bridge of his great flagship, the Vengeful Spirit, before the Traitor forces were wholly destroyed or exiled into the Eye of Terror.

Freyan System Incursion
During the seventh and final year of the Great Scouring in 021.M31, one of the pursuing Loyalist Retribution Fleets that pursued the Traitors (listed in official Imperial records as ' Task Force Bloody Maw ' ) was being jointly conducted by a sizable contingent of comprised of warriors from both the Space Wolves and the Ultramarines Legions. This fleet fell under the overall command of the Space Wolves 19th Great Company (Nítján Company), and its Jarl Hakon Thørson. They were accompanied by the Ultramarines' elite void-trained veterans of the 1st Company, 20th Chapter (known as ' The Eagles ' ). They were commanded by Legate Bruticus Kratos, a bellicose and often headstrong commander, Legate Kratos was a veteran of the Calth Atrocity who took part in the brutal and oft-bloody void battles that ensued amongst Calth's orbital platforms after the Word Bearers revealed their perfidy. He yearned to extract his pound of flesh from the Traitors. Rendezvousing at the outer edge of the Sol System, the two forces found themselves of like mind, and so agreed to chase down the Traitors and destroy them together.

'Task Force Bloody Maw' helped cleanse many Chaos-corrupted star systems and was involved in multiple void engagements with fleeing Traitor fleets. Finally, the Retribution Fleet had made its way to far reaches of the Segmentum Obscurus. They caught a large group of Traitor Legionaries raiding an Imperial mining colony in the uncharted XBR-MU1009A2 system near the Eye of Terror. In the midst of the ferocious battle that followed, they were caught unawares by a tremendous Warp gale that engulfed the entire Loyalist fleet and disappeared from the material realm. Initially, both the Ultramarines and the Space Wolves kept vigil for their lost Legionaries, hoping that the Warp would give up its prize. But as the decades, and then centuries passed, no trace could be found of the Retribution Fleet. In a somber joint-ceremony the names of the missing Space Marines were added to the rosters of the fallen by their respective Legions. All were presumed ' ''lost to the warp' '.

The Retribution Fleet had been caught within a Warp storm of terrific intensity and forced to endure the attacks of powerful Warp entities. Ship after ship was destroyed, including the flagship of Jarl Thørson. Soon only one craft, the Ultramarine's Battle Barge, Dominus Bellorum, remained. The remaining Space Marines had no idea how much time had passed since time flows differently in the Immaterium. Finally, Legate Kratos ordered the helmsman to execute a daring Warp-exit maneuver and the ship burst out of Warp-space into realspace near the far western fringes of the Eye of Terror. When they finally emerged, the ship's chronometer indicated that they had traveled the turbulent eddies of the Warp for nearly eight centuries. Despite their sojourn feeling like a matter of days, in reality, they had suffered serious time-displacement of nearly a millennium! With their warp engines damaged beyond repair, and the ship's systems quickly failing, Legate Kratos ordered for the ailing vessel to make a forced-landing on the nearest planet. Scanning the nearby system they found the second planet was closest to their position. Ordering the ship to make for the unnamed ice-world, the crew of the Dominus Bellorum prepared for an emergency landing. Their fate was now in the Emperor's hands.

Fate of the 'Lost Fleet'
In the 998.M31, contact with the Imperium was reestablished. A deep space Adeptus Mechanicus Explorator team was conducting a planet-wide survey of the Freyan System. The second planet was icy and desolate with violent windstorms and only narrow belts of cultivatable land. The Explorator team was hoping to find rich ore deposits and STC on this unpopulated planet. Despite the inimical conditions the Explorator team was amazed to find that there was still life on this feral world. They found the indigenous population to be a semi-barbaric people from ancient Terran stock. Ministorum missionaries were immediately dispatched to spread the world of the Imperial Cult amongst the indigenous population. Despite being fierce and primitive, the missionaries were amazed to find that the Freyans still worshipped the Master of Mankind, albeit in a corrupted barbaric fashion. The people were probed for any sign of Chaos taint but were found to be unwavering in their faith and devoutly loyal to the Emperor.

When inquiries were made to the Freyans as to how they had survived all of these millennia without the Emperor's guiding light, they told an amazing tale of how over a hundred years before, ' Sky-Warriors ' descended from the heavens. There was a great war between these 'Sky-Warriors' and the evil ' Wendól ' (or ' Twisted Ones ' ). The 'Sky-Warriors' were adorned with strange armor that the Wendól could not penetrate with their weapons, and used mighty blades and weapons that spit the fire of their wrath upon the loathsome creatures. The 'Sky-Warriors' slew them with wrathful anger. Since that time, they saved the people of the planet from destruction many times over, and helped reestablish their faith in the Master of Mankind. The power and might displayed by these mysterious 'Sky Warriors' were found to be like that of ancient warrior spirits from ancient Terran legends. Forever after, the people began to call the 'Sky-Warriors', ' Einherjar ' – warriors whom have been slain in battle and brought forth to the ' All-Father ' (The Emperor) to fight forever by his side.

A great fortress-monastery known as Æsirhold was constructed by the grateful Freyans in the center of their world's largest continent. The great fortress was hewn into the cliff face of the tallest mountain within the highest peaks. The mysterious 'Sky-Warriors' found the hardy people not wanting and so, many of the tribe's finest warriors were taken from the battlefields to become Einherjar and sail the stars. Intrigued, the Explorator team immediately began a probe of the continent. When they came within ten leagues of the fortress-monastery's location, they were hailed by these mysterious 'Sky Warriors'. It was discovered that these so-called Einherjar, were in fact, Adeptus Astartes! When the Explorator team investigated the origins of these Space Marines what they found greatly disturbed them. They immediately contacted the Inquisition with their findings. An Inquisitor from the Ordo Malleus was immediately dispatched to discern the truth of these so-called ' Loyalists '.

The Ordeal
Inquisitor Uziel Dredd met with the acting Commander of the errant Space Marines. The Astartes appeared to be a member of the Ultramarines Chapter, as he wore their panoply, but his ancient Mark IV battle-plate displayed many strange totems and fetishes. He introduced himself as Captain-Praetor Decius Pius. Carefully, he explained what had occurred over the last century and of how they came to be on this desolate world far from the Imperium of Man. Decius told the Inquisitor that they were survivors of the Loyalist fleet that had disappeared nearly millennia ago whilst giving chase to the Traitor Legions during the Great Scouring. Then he told them of the ensuing warp storm and of the attacks by the powerful Warp entities that had destroyed their fleet. After they made an emergency exit from the violent warp storm they realized that they had emerged nearly eight centuries later. With their warp engines damaged beyond repair and their vital systems failing, they were forced to crash land on this desolate ice-world.

The Ultramarines' commander was killed during the emergency landing. Fortunately a small contingent of Space Wolves were stationed aboard the Ultramarines' ship. Their Wolf Guard Pack Leader Odin Grimclaw took stock of the dire circumstances and immediately took command of the situation. Through his superb leadership he organized the survivors into a cohesive unit, ready for any threat to their survival. Their situation soon turned from bad to worse when a small force of Chaos scouts arrived in-system looking for suitable planets to conquer and despoil.

Grimclaw stripped the Ultramarines' vessel of all its weapons and usable materials and then had the Space Marines scuttle the ship. The Space Marines took to the surrounding mountains, where they were able to set up a temporary command center on the tallest mountain within the highest peaks (the current location of Æsirhold) to strike back at the Traitors. The Space Wolves scouts reported that the Chaos force was larger than expected. They were outnumbered nearly three-to-one. Pack Leader Grimclaw was gladdened by the news, ' More traitors to kill for the Emperor. ' He mused, a savage grin splitting his face. The Ultramarines were taken aback by the Wolf Guard's assessment but they were reassured by their ranking battle-brother Sergeant Pius:

' Surely the Sons of Guilliman will be up for the challenge, ' he goaded his men, ' ''For are we not the embodiment of noble warriors? We will fight hard and fight well! And bring swift death to the enemies of the Emperor! Vae victis!'' '

The Ultramarines raised their bolters in salute and responded in unison, ' ''Virtus et gloria! (Courage and honor!)'' ' Emboldened by the young Sergeant's words the Ultramarines prepared to bring their unfettered wrath down upon the traitors.

Unlike his contemporaries, Sergeant Pius was a jovial and rather brash Legionary. He showed his superiors that he could be a flexible military commander, thinking outside the confines of the established dictates of military strategy. Through his daring and bold initiative he quickly rose through the ranks of the Ultramarines and soon found himself as a squad leader. With the death of the Legate Kratos, the burden of command of the remaining Ultramarines fell to him.

The impetuous Sergeant had quickly formed strong bonds with his Space Wolves cousins. He admired their free-spirit and unorthodox approach; to battle, the rules and to life in general. Sergeant Pius had even formed a strong bond with the venerable Pack Leader Grimclaw. During the early years of the Great Scouring when their two Legions had fought on numerous occasions, the dour old wolf had saved him a number of times whilst fighting the foul Traitor Legionaries. Decius had returned the favor an equal number of times. The two had formed a warrior-bond stronger than tempered plasteel, forged in heat of battle. Decius would follow the old Wolf Guard to the Eye itself if he so wished it.

Through Grimclaw's tenacious cunning, the surviving Loyalists harried the Traitor forces mercilessly every chance they could. Over the course of three months the hit-and-run counterattacks and small-scale skirmishes of the joint force of Ultramarines and Space Wolves effectively isolated the remaining Chaos forces. They were then annihilated to a man. No quarter asked, none given. The threat of Chaos had been averted. But Pack Leader Grimclaw cautioned the younger Decius that they had merely forestalled the inevitable – soon the bulk of the Chaos fleet would come. Grimclaw knew they had little time left before the Chaos onslaught began again, and this time, they might not emerge victorious.

Chaos Incursion
"When my day comes to die, I will not beg for mercy, nor will I weep. I have led a life filled with glory! My hope is that I leave this world with a smile on my face, and the courage to sing my own death song, and that I will be judged worthy to sit at the side of the Allfather."

- Purported last words of Wolf Guard Pack Leader Odin Grimclaw before the final Battle of Blackskull Peak

It soon began with scattered reports of razed villages and signs of ritual sacrifice from the far ranging Scout squads. Then a few skirmishes with raiders occurred during long range forages. Soon they were enmeshed in fighting an all-out protracted war for survival. Inch by inch, the Loyalists began losing ground – their forces severely depleted by the sheer number of Chaos forces. Grimclaw was soon faced with a choice few Space Marine Commanders ever have to make – leading the remnants of his decimated force in a vainglorious charge and succumbing to their enemy's overwhelming numbers, or, as he eventually chose, he could marshal his resources and deploy his remaining forces and fight like stalking wolves. He explained his bold plan to the remaining loyalists. The Ultramarines questioned such brash tactics. Surely they must sell themselves dearly, taking as many of their enemies with them as possible? It was the only possible way they could die honorably on the field of battle.

Pack Leader Grimclaw listened to his Ultramarine cousins' recriminations and outrage, then he calmly held up one of his gnarled, leathery hands to silence them. He continued to explain,

' ''When wolves hunt the great elk in a pack they do so with great cunning. The young wolves will howl and snarl drawing attention to themselves. Then they will charge straight towards the wall of elk bulls that face them. Such audacity would normally see the foolish young pups skewered upon their prey's razor sharp antlers. But taking advantage of the noisy distraction to infiltrate the herd's weakly guarded flanks comes the veteran hunters of the pack. Sowing confusion and panic in the defensive line, they scatter – enabling the young wolves to bring down the bulls at their leisure. That is how a wolf pack fights. That is how we will fight!'' '

Throughout the rest of the war, Pack Leader Grimclaw field his squads as infiltrators and guerrilla troops, attacking specific, high-value targets rather than spearheading massive assaults, as would a normal-sized Space Marine force in such a conflict. Soon the Loyalists isolated the Traitors into small pockets of resistance and then began to destroy them one by one. As time wore on the forces of the Traitors were at a fraction of their original fighting strength.

At the forefront of many of these guerrilla attacks was Sergeant Pius. His superb leadership came to the fore as he was able to adapt and improvise against the superior number of Traitor forces. The topography of the icy planet was ideally suited to the Ultramarine’s style of warfare. The phalanx was able to block narrow passes with ease, with no risk of their forces being outflanked. Whenever Pius and his men encountered the Traitors they would retreat, drawing them into a narrow pass. In the passes, the phalanx was very difficult to assault for the Traitor forces. Using the surrounding terrain the Chaos forces’ numbers counted for nothing. The Ultramarines would wage a furious battle against the limited number of Chaos forces who had entered the pass, thoroughly routing them. This type of tactic was virtually unheard of by the Traitors but not by the Ultramarines! Retreat was unthinkable to them and was only used as a means to lure the enemy into a false sense of victory, and then they would turn and crush the very spirit out of the heretics!

The struggle was a long and difficult one. Month by month, continent by continent, Odin and his forces pushed Chaos back. The Loyalists fought a hundred score battles and always emerged victorious – time and again snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. Much of the credit went to the Ultramarines Scout Company's acting commander, Sergeant Pius. Through his tactical genius and daring exploits of his Scouts they managed to turn the tide. In a final confrontation with the Traitor forces at the Blackskull Peaks Odin slew their leader, the Daemon Prince, F'al Bárûk Baal'ágni'tarra, although he was mortally wounded in return. Pack Leader Grimclaw didn't rest until the last of the Chaos forces were put to the sword, only then, his duty finally done, did he allow himself to die. Finally, after nearly a year of almost ceaseless warfare, the loyalists had emerged triumphant.

Soon after Grimclaw's death, Sergeant Pius was unanimously elected as their acting commander. Under Decius' direction he had the Techmarines erect an obelisk on the spot where the old Wolf fell, both as a monument to the battle and as a deterrent against Chaos from using the nexus to open a Chaos Warp Gate on the planet's surface. The newly elected Captain christened their new found world, Freya (after the Fenrisian Goddess of Winter). Life on the planet began to return to normal. Pius however, was not content to rest. He immediately began plans to rebuild his remaining forces, planning one day to help continue the Great Scouring – first freeing Freya's system then, eventually, the surrounding systems.

The Trial
After an encounter with Chaos, the Inquisition – per standard protocol – would sanitize the system and ensure that there was no surviving taint. The remaining Space Marines were to be mind-wiped and then sent back to their respective Chapters. Captain Pius refused to allow this to happen. He would not let the people of this world face such a fate. The Inquisitor was adamant about what must be done, but eventually came to a compromise – he would contact the Ultramarines and the Space Wolves and let their respective Chapter Masters decide their fate. Decius would only relent if the Inquisitor agreed that they were to be tried in a joint council made up of both Chapters. Inquisitor Dredd agreed to the Astartes commander's terms and notified their parent Chapters.

Within a couple of months two separate fleets arrived in-system. These fleets were composed of the Ultramarines and the Space Wolves. Both Chapter Master Agnathio and Great Wolf Harek Eireik "Ironhelm" Eireiksson came to an accord - they would conduct a joint trial. Initially when they had received the news they had both been overjoyed that one of their lost fleets had been returned to them. But they both feared that their lost warriors' ordeal might have left them tainted. For three months, Captain-Praetor Pius and his men stoically bore an exhaustive investigation in which every fragment of their bodies, minds and soul sorely tested. The Chapters' Apothecaries and Librarians exerted every technique at their command, but no trace of corruption, physical or spiritual, could be found.

Not once during the inquest did Decius' testimony ever waver or vary. In fact, he corrected several errors made in the transcripts, which he reviewed at night in his cell. The testimonies of his men corroborated his relation of the facts. After nearly a year, the Council sequestered to decide the fate of Decius and his men. They reviewed the facts and made the only decision they thought possible. At the end of the thirteenth hour of deliberation, Decius and his men were brought before the Council for the verdict to be read. The entire episode was pronounced ' Factum Irritus ' ; all records of the trial were to be destroyed.

Chapter Master Agnathio pronounced Captain-Praetor Pius' guilt of breaching the Codex Astartes (their Chapter's holiest of tomes, penned by Primarch Guilliman himself) but Great Wolf Ironhelm had convinced him that sometimes the necessity of the situation called for improvisation. Decius and his men had acquitted themselves well despite their dire circumstances. Therefore, for their breach of doctrine of the Codex, Decius was to be exiled. Any of his men wishing to join their commander were not held at fault for their actions for they were only following orders. They could return to their parent Chapter, without censure, or continue to remain. It is a testament to the loyalty of Captain Pius' men, that they all chose to remain. Pius did not dispute the verdict, waiving his rights to defend himself so as to prevent his example from being followed by others, and accepted the judgment of his Chapter Master.

Next, the Great Wolf stood in place of the Ultramarines Chapter Master and pronounced his judgment. He offered the surviving Space Wolves two options – return to Fenris to rejoin their battle-brothers or, they could remain with their current commander whom had led them from the jaws of defeat and attained glorious victory. The senior-most Space Wolf informed the Great Wolf that they would remain where they were – to honor their blood-debt to their forsworn commander. The Great Wolf nodded his assent and gave his former battle-brothers his blessing.

Before the Space Marines were dismissed, Inquisitor Dredd strode forth before the throng to the podium. He wished to speak the assembled Astartes. The Inquisitor explained to the Chapter Masters that they knew what standard protocol was after an encounter with Chaos. They both grimly nodded their understanding. But the Inquisitor went on to explain how Captain Pius refused to allow this to happen. He was willing to defend his men unto death and with his impassioned oratory, had convinced the Inquisitor that they should be spared in order for them to be judged by their peers. The Chapters Masters were greatly impressed by Decius' fierce devotion to his men.

Inquisitor Dredd went on to explained that he had not been idle during these long months as he had recently been in contact with his superiors within the Inquisition and had petitioned them to have Decius and his men be a part of a newly formed Chapter – with the proviso that all members of this new Chapter were to be sworn to the utmost secrecy concerning the existence of daemons and Chaos. Violation of this oath by any Space Marine member would result in death for the individual and their Chapter would be deemed Excommunicate Traitoris. Unofficially, this new Chapter would be subject to the Ordo Malleus' scrutiny and would have an Inquisitor permanently assigned to their Chapter; until such time that they were deemed worthy to perform as a fully functioning Chapter. The first such Inquisitor to be assigned to the Chapter would be Inquisitor Dredd, himself. He would be charged with assisting in organizing and equipping the new Chapter and to assist their new Chapter Master in fighting the forces of Chaos.

All they needed was a name. After quickly deliberating with his men, Captain Pius had an answer. In recognition of their former commander whose superb leadership, great personal valor and courageous initiative saw them through their arduous ordeal they unanimously chose to name their newly formed Chapter the Sons of Odin in honor of Wolf Guard Pack Leader Odin Grimclaw. With the Emperor's blessing, the High Lords of Terra granted the formation of the Sons of Odin Space Marine Chapter in 001.M32, during the Third Founding. Within one month of his return from Terra, Inquisitor Dredd was raised to High Lord Inquisitor of the Ordo Malleus, in which he served with distinction in this position for over two centuries.

Decius Pius was made the Sons of Odin Chapter's first Chapter Master, with Pack Leader Grimclaw beatified as the Chapter's founding Patriarch. He decided it would be to his newly formed Chapter's interest to move away from the unique organization of the Space Wolves and adopt a structure closer to that of the orthodox Ultramarines. Only the Veteran Company would deviate significantly from the Codex Astartes.

Chapter Home World
The feral world of Freya, homeworld of the Sons of Odin, is situated along the Cygnus Arm of the Milky Way, running through the Segmentum Obscurus near the Eye of Terror. The Freyan system is located to the galactic Northwest of the Eye. Freya is therefore at the forefront of the Imperium's defence against the foul denizens of Chaos.

Freya is a turbulent world of ice, dominated by extremes of climates that constantly change. Most would deem it inimical to life, but as always, the early human settlers of this frozen outpost found a way not only to survive, but to thrive. Before Old Night, this world was originally settled as a mining colony. The world of Freya was rich in many of the ores used in the construction of space faring vessels and technology used at the time. But with the advent of the horrendous warps storms and the Age of Strife, the stranded settlers were cut off from the outside world and were barely able to survive the harsh environment. Only the hardiest survived.

Over the following millennia, the forgotten technology of that era was irrevocably lost and the world became overrun by the denizens of Chaos. The survivors reverted to a barbaric state. This was the state of the world when the predecessors of the Sons of Odin found the world of Freya when they became trapped by a prodigious warp storm for a quarter of a century near the end of the 31st Millennium. Of that original mixed Imperial fleet of Ultramarines and Space Wolves, it was the Sons of Fenris who quickly adapted to the similar environs of the frigid world of Freya, the easiest. Though the new world was but a dim reflection of their savage homeworld of Fenris, they soon grew very fond of their new world. The native tribes of Freya prefer to live in the frigid, arctic lands with glaciers and heavy snowfall. Living in a very hostile and isolated region, the Freyan warrior tribes are forced to rely on their resourcefulness and their unwavering courage to survive. They survive the harsh and unforgiving ‘hell-winters by hunting amongst the icy tundra of the Frozen Wastes. They mostly eat meat, which they can hunt or kill for themselves. During the long, cruel winter months the days are short and the nights are unbearably long and snowy. Game becomes scarce, making the Freyan hunter’s task of foraging for food a race for survival. But during the long summer months when the snow caps melt and the fjords are free of ice, the Freyan tribes take to their longboats and raid other settlements, plundering them for sustenance and wealth.

Despite their savage reputation the Freyans also survive by farming and herding, spreading to colonize faraway lands as opportunities present themselves. Where their intuitive natures and wanderlust takes them, they engage in trade; when other tribes encroach into their territories, they exact tribute. For centuries the Freyans have dominated the sea lanes and the few lands that possess forests, where wild game is plentiful.

Æsirhold
At the center of the planet's largest continent, Niflheimr ('Abode of Mist'), the great citadel of Æsirhold (the 'Warriors Hould'), hewn into the cliff face of the tallest mountain, within Freya's highest peaks, known as the Blackskull Peaks. Against the gathering dark of the dwindling atmosphere, tiny lights shine at the distant summit. The Freyan tribes mark this habitation of the Einherjar - the 'Sky-Warriors' - as the abode of the demigods, itself a tiny fraction of the bulk of that vast peak. Lesser summits are clustered around the formidable citadel in the shadow of the mighty peak, Jǫtunnheim, the 'Giant One'. The ways between the peaks are treacherous and known only to those who have trodden its paths as Aspirants. All are scarred with precipitous drops and deep crevasses. Some hunt-ways were built on solid stone, whereas others are on bridges of ice that will crumble to nothing with the first application of weight. Some lead true, taking the hunter from the clefts in the shadow of the summits down to the plains where their prey dwell; others lead nowhere but into darkness, to the caves that riddle the bowels of the ancient landscape, full of nothing but ice-gnawed bones and despair.

Over the long history of its existence, many times has Æsirhold stood inviolable while the Forces of Chaos have dashed themselves against it. Æsirhold is clad in armour of immense thickness and strength and is cloaked by void shields more powerful than those found on even the most mighty of the Imperialis Armada's warships. The mountainside conceals potent defence lasers hidden within miles of dark shafts cut into the mountain itself. These ancient weapons, powered by geothermal reactors within the citadel's core, are capable of blasting apart even the most heavily armoured spacecraft from orbit. Even a ground assault would be considered suicidal, as Æsirhold possesses two external gates, known as the Árvakr Gate ('Early Riser' Gate) and the Drengr Gate ('Warrior' Gate), built high up on the sheer sides of the mountain. These two gates connect at opposite ends of the internal region of the fortress known as the Svellborough ('Stronghold of Ice'). The two gates were built to overlook entirely bare approaches, made up of huge causeways of stone, each kilometres wide and worn smooth by the endless gnawing of stone by the Blackskull Peaks' high winds. If a massed advance upon these approaches was undertaken, they would provoke a slaughter. Even if an enemy were, by some miracle, able to reach one of the gates, which in themselves, are colossal structures comprised of adamantium, granite and ceramite, they bristle with all manner of deadly weaponry - twin-linked bolters turrets, static plasma cannons and missile launchers.

Chapter Beliefs
The Sons of Odin revere the Emperor through Odin – with Odin acting as his Advocate or Avatar. This disturbs the orthodox Ecclesiarchy but as effective and loyal servants of the Ordo Malleus, the Sons of Odin are immune to any reprisals or retributions. As a result Adeptus Ministorum squads will not ally with the Sons of Odin unless an Inquisitor is present. This Chapter doesn't venerate one Primarch over the other, but they do acknowledge their shared heritage from both.

The warriors of the Sons of Odin have inherited much of their beliefs from their home world's native culture. Much of their martial traditions are still maintained by the Sons of Odin, even after their induction into the ranks of the Chapter. Sons of Odin Astartes constantly vie with one another, yearning to achieve the most victories or the highest kill tallies, in order to impress the Chapter's more venerable members, constantly striving to earn a place within the Chapter's sagas. Like the feral tribesmen they recruit from, the Sons of Odin value personal honour and physical strength at arms over all. Many Sons of Odin prefer to challenge enemy commanders to single combat in order to test themselves against the mightiest of enemies. Sons of Odin often seek out single combat with a foe they consider worthy of the honour, although more than a few Veteran Marines and commanders have fallen against particularly dangerous opponents this way.

Thus, the Battle-Brothers of the Sons of Odin Chapter are known to exhibit a fierce resolve in the face of overwhelming odds and display an unstoppable drive to test themselves against all who would stand before them. Perhaps this feature of their character is a result of the beliefs instilled in each before he has even joined the Chapter, for the warrior tribes of Freya are fearsome and resolute indeed. The Sons of Odin feel an inherent need to punish the former Astartes of the Traitor Legions, and to earn redemption in the eyes of the All-Father and His people, who suffered unimaginably during the galaxy-wide civil war known as the Horus Heresy.

Freyan Culture
For millennia, the image of the Freyan warrior has engraved itself in the minds of those whom have come in contact with this feral society; the image of the bloodthirsty barbarian with axe, sword and hide-covered armor. They are the epitome of savage fighters and terrifying raiders, sweeping across the continents of their frigid world and the water lanes of the turbulent seas. Although they are considered uncultured and primitive, these fierce people have developed a highly ritualistic and distinctive culture. The Freyan people resembles vikings from ancient Terran history. According to ancient legends, Freya’s original space-faring ancestors mixed their blood with that of the Frost Giants, thereby producing a robust and hearty race of humans who possess a near immunity to the cold and an affinity for battle. Though the veracity of these tales are disputed by Imperial scholars as to the identity of this mysterious race of 'giants', the Freyans males builds are robust; somewhat sinewy and very muscular. They have well defined and rough-hewn features due to the constant exposure to the extreme elements of the harsh Freyan winters. Most of the males possess long unkempt hair (sometimes worn braided), and they grow long, course beards. Freyan males also have somewhat pale skin like those of their distant Frost Giant cousins. The Freyan females builds are somewhat smaller; athletic and well proportioned. They possess a frontier beauty that can only be found amongst such a hardy race of women. Their beautiful locks of hair are often worn in long, braided tresses.

Freyans can generally live to 100 years of age or older, although Freyan males generally have shorter life spans than their female counterparts. If they are lucky they may survive to the ripe age of fifty years old if they are fortunate enough not to be killed in battle, by wild beasts, or the notoriously foul weather of their homeworld. It is a rare thing indeed to meet a Freyan male of venerable age. An elder Freyan is a warrior without peer, who has literally survived hundreds of battles and decades of Freyan ‘hell-winters’ due to their strength, cunning and intelligence. It is these venerable warriors who become a tribe’s chieftain or Jarl.

Freyan Beliefs
Freyans are robust and outspoken, unafraid to speak or act on impulse. They are somewhat boastful and known to be braggarts, but they will back up their words with either their fists or with the sharpened edges of their battle-axes. To a Freyan, action literally speaks louder than words. Honor is another concept that the Freyans have a high regard for. Whether it is on the field of battle, or defending one's pride when someone sullies their family name, honor must be maintained.

To prove one's worth as a warrior to the other members of their tribe, a Freyan warrior must constantly meet any challenge bestowed upon them by the venerable elders and senior warriors within their tribe. A young warrior must prove their battle prowess by acquiring numerous war trophies and battle scars if they are to be judged worthy. Some warriors are so dedicated to achieving this goal that they strive for nothing less than the chance to be immortalized forever in the form of a Freyan epic saga. Years after their death, they will be remembered when the sagas are recited by the old shamans of their tribes during the 'The Feast of The Great Hunt', held every twenty years during the rising of the Hunter's Moon.

When a Freyan has proved his worth or is slain in glorious battle they believe that they will earn a place amongst the honored ranks of the Einherjar. These are the fell-spirits of the warriors whom died in glorious battle and were raised from the dead; chosen to continue fighting by the side of the Emperor, (whom Freyans refer to as the 'All-Father') against the enemies of Mankind. According to the ancient Freyan sagas the 'All-Father' will face Hel (Chaos Undivided), the Goddess of Death and the underworld, and her other four aspects (lust, wrath, plague and transformation) and her daemonic hordes during the final days of all of creation, known as the Ragnarøkkr ('End-Times'). It is every Freyan’s fondest wish to be judged worthy enough to join their God-Emperor in eternal battle. These fanatically devout warriors are constantly trying to prove their worth in battle through insane acts of bravery or by slaying the most enemies.

Chapter Gene-Seed
The gene-legacy of Guilliman is proudly borne by the Sons of Odin. It seems the legacy of Guilliman's genetic material has no known aberrations in its genetic structure. However, their gene stock appears to be stable and displays some interesting qualities. However, with the introduction of the genetic material from the Freyan warriors, the genome seems to have inherited their savagery and thirst for war as well as their more positive traits of steadfast loyalty.

Chapter Organization
Following the break-up of their original fleet, the Sons of Odin were broken down into a single Chapter composed of those Ultramarines and Space Wolves whom elected to remain on Freya. New initiates were granted were granted the gene legacy of Guilliman. Some within the Inquisition did not look favorably on this mixed Chapter. To assuage any fears and to reinforce the loyalty of the Chapter, the first Chapter Master, Decius Pius swore his Chapter to strict adherence to the Codex Astartes. The Sons of Odin are split into ten companies, each a hundred Space Marines strong and led by a Captain. The 1st Company is composed of battle-hardened veterans and is the most powerful. It is also the only Company that fields warriors clad in Tactical Dreadnought Armor.

The 2th, 3th, 4th and 5th Companies fight as the main Battle Companies and are composed of Tactical, Assault and Devastator squads. Each Battle Company is self-sufficient, capable of meeting any threat and defeating it. These Companies form the backbone of the Chapter. The 6th through 9thCompanies are the Reserve Companies, each comprised of squads of one particular type. Companies 6th and 7th are Tactical Companies, the 8th is the Assault Company and the 9th is the Devastator Company. The 10th Company is composed of Scout squads made up from the ranks of the Chapter's newest inductees.

Combat Doctrine
The Sons of Odin fight according to the doctrines of the Ultramarines and the dictates of the Codex Astartes. As befits a predecessor of Guilliman's legacy, the Chapter has found that by fighting in the manner prescribed in this holiest of tomes, they do not deviate significantly from its wisdom.

The Veteran Company is the only one that deviates significantly from the Codex. The members of this esteemed Company of the most battle-hardened veterans continue to fight in the style of their Space Wolves forebears, preferring close combat to ranged warfare. This is represented by the fact that when not fighting in Tactical Dreadnought Armor, they prefer to fight in Assault rather than Tactical Squads. This is emphasized by the fanaticism of the Sons of Odin battle brothers, whose righteous anger makes them impatient and headstrong. They will drive towards their foes relentlessly, with axe and bolt pistol in hand.

However, not all of the Companies can be relied upon to fight in the structured and disciplined ways of the Codex, for their genome seems to have inherited the Freyan culture’s savagery and thirst for war. This can turn even the most taciturn veteran into a berserker, wishing only to release their calculated brutality and savagery upon their foes. When this occurs, these berserk warriors are placed within the ranks of the 8th Assault Company. Whilst in the throes of a berserk frenzy these battle brothers seeks nothing more in battle than to rush into close quarters with the enemy and tear them apart in a hail of blood. Those who have actually witnessed their bloodthirstiness in action report that they have never seen such barbaric displays of charnel violence.

The Chapter most often finds itself fighting the foul forces of Chaos, being relatively close to the Eye of Terror as well as Orks. The Sons of Odin have become very adept at combating these opponents. The Chapter vigilantly patrols the regions in the Cygnus Arm close to the Eye, always maintaining a vigilant watch for another Chaos incursion. Whereas their Space Wolves predecessors fight in the vein of feral barbarians, the Sons of Odin fight in a similarly ferocious matter but are more disciplined like their Ultramarine forebears. The Sons of Odin are most frequently used to carry out orders that are particularly brutal, destructive, or having to deal with politically sensitive individuals that other units might be sympathetic to; for the Space Marines of this Chapter are loyal unto to death to the "All-Father" and those that rule in his stead.

Chapter Recruitment
The Sons of Odin recruit from Freya and the worlds of the other systems occupied during 'The Ordeal'. Most of the colonists brought to these systems after the Inquisitions' purge and sanitation came from Novaya Zemlya and Niflheimr. On Freya and the other worlds in the surrounding systems, strangers clad in armor as black as shadow, stalk the lands. In the Jarl's long halls, tales are told of these strangers known as the Choosers of the Slain – whom watch silently from the hills overlooking the battlefield, choosing those whom show true valor and commit the most insane acts of courage. These warriors, though mortally wounded, are taken by the ebon-armored Sky Warriors to join the ranks of the Einherjar, never to be seen again. These mysterious strangers are the Chaplains of the Sons of Odin. The youths they pick are tested to the extreme, to see if they are worthy to have the legacy of Odin Grimclaw implanted into their bodies, and eventually become one of his chosen sons.

Those selected as potential Space Marines must undergo several initiation rights, the first of which is 'The Ordeal'. The individual is dropped naked on the shores of the southern continent armed with only a combat knife. He must make his way through the mountains of the Barrier Range to the continent’s central desert plateau. He must then find the Obelisk at the southern pole. Most candidates arrive exhausted and dehydrated – most do not arrive at all.

When the candidate reaches the stone monolith he must than place a hand on its jet-black surface. The stone functions something like an armor plate window, denying access yet permitting observation. What each candidate sees is different; most see some or the entirety of Odin's 'Ordeal'. All are allowed to glimpse the entities of the warp and feel their malevolent hatred for humanity. More than one candidate has been driven mad by the experience; however, the careful selection process ensures that most are able to endure. Those who survive with their sanity intact are instilled with a deep hatred of Chaos. The Librarians of the Chapter are aware of the contact with the Obelisk and a recovery team is dispatched to recover the initiate, usually before he regains consciousness from the visions.

The neophyte is sedated and the initial implants are made. The neophyte awakes lying on a bed in the Scout barracks, which is conveniently located near the kitchens. The 'Ordeal' and subsequent implants induce a ravenous hunger in the young Aspirant. Having fed, the initiates are met by the Senior Instructor and their 'Preparation' begins. Once an initiate has completed his training he undergoes a period of ritualistic washing and fasting lasting several days at the end of which he is presented to the 'Council'.

The last phase of the Aspirants initiation is the ‘Trial,’ is a series of written, oral, and performance evaluations lasting 13 days, 13 hours and 13 minutes. At the end of The Trial the initiate is brought to a darkened chamber and made to stand in a single circle of light. The initiate must stand resolute before the ‘Council’ as they hurl insults and recriminations. Finally, their verdict is rendered, the sentence which is always ‘death’. The initiate must stand resolute, even in this face of death. If he proves his bravery and his worth, he is then accepted as a brother marine and chooses a new name.

Chapter Colours
The Sons of Odin panoply consists of dark prussian blue - the colour of a winter storm, with white and gold details. The Space Marines ceremonially apply runic tattoos of protection and power upon entering the Chapter. These tattoos usually cover the arms and sometimes the face of the Astartes, reinforcing their fearsome Freyan warrior heritage. The Sons of Odin Space Marines also take great pride in their heraldry, using the arts and styles of the Freyan Runemasters. Their armor is most often engraved with Freyan runic script or magical runes. The Freyan people are a superstitious lot; their pagan beliefs state that through the use of powerful magic runes, it might help one to fulfill a person's innermost needs, wants, and wishes. This tradition has carried over to the Sons of Odin. They believe that by incorporating these runes as well as the potent Dire Wolves talismans on their armor, that they will evoke protection and strength against all their enemies.

A few Astartes within the Chapter are honored enough to inherit the power armor of a great warrior and continue on their legacy. Veterans in particular wear ornate battle-plate immersed in centuries worth of talismans and etched symbols, accumulated from great heroes over the ages. Scouts are the only elements of the force that don't decorate their armor extensively, preferring to maintain their anonymity when performing their dangerous reconnaissance missions. The adaptation of traditional Freyan symbols has also spread to some of their traditional Astartes insignia. Patterned specialization designations follow the Freyan warriors' artistic style and are painted in gold on the right shoulder pauldron. Classical Imperial icons are rarely seen on a Sons of Odin Astartes' armor. The Chapter is also known to incorporate the use of many ancient patterns of power armour, handed down over the millennia from one Astartes to another.

Chapter Badge
The Sons of Odin Chapter badge is a large white coloured skull centered upon a sable coloured shield and placed in front of a pair of crossed great-axes.

Chapter Glossary

 * Blóð Móðr - A Freyan term that means 'blood rage', this is when a warrior enters an enhanced state, and stirs themselves up to such rage and madness that they will boldly attack any foe without being hampered by thoughts of their own or others' safety. This term is used by the Sons of Odin when referring to those Astartes (Úlfheðinn) who are overcome by the blóð móðr, especially when fighting against the Forces of Chaos.
 * Drakkar - A longship smaller than a knorr, usually used for raiding or piracy.
 * Einherjar - In Freyan myth, the spirits of the slain warriors who reside within the long-hall of the All-Father, awaiting the day they will fight at Ragnarøkkr. This term is commonly used to refer to those who are selected to join the 'Sky-Warriors', to fight on behalf of the All-Father.
 * Einvigi - Unlimited personal combat, a duel to the death with no restrictions.
 * Goði - The closest Freyan equivalent to a jarl. Goði have certain rights and responsibilities in Freya's southern continent, acting as patrons to smallholders, but are not nobles as the wider Imperium would understand them.
 * Hel - In Freyan culture, Hel is the Goddess of Death and the underworld. She epitomises the aspect of evil itself (Chaos Undivided), and often appears in one of her four aspects (lust, wrath, plague and transformation). This term is utilised by the Sons of Odin when referring the Chaos or Chaos Undivided.
 * Hirð - The boon-companions of a lord. They eat at his table, sleep in his hall, take his gifts of weapons, armor and wealth, and derive their positions from hi1n. So long as he can feast and gift them, they must stand beside hi1n to the death, both on and off the field of battle. A term commonly used amongst the Sons of Odin when referring to members of their Chapter's elite veterans.
 * Holmgang - A highly stylized ritual that can be described as either a duel or a trial by combat, depending on your point of view. Combatants exchange sword or axe blows until one is unable to continue.
 * Huskarl - A member of the hirð, a warrior who makes the bargain of mead and glory for loyal service to a lord. Amongst the elite members of the Wolf Guard, this term is used when referring to a Veteran Sergeant.
 * Jarl - A noble of unspecified holdings, usually between those of a landed knight and a baron or earl. Unlike a huskarl, a jarl does not derive his position fro1n his lord, but from his hereditary holdings. While there were formal differences, the mark of a jarl was the ability to keep a hall and men, and the line between jarl and freeholder was often blurry. This term is used by the Sons of Odin when referring to anyone of a leadership position, usually an officer (Space Marine Captain equivalent rank).
 * Knorr - A longship larger than a drakkar, usually used for trade.
 * Ragnarøkkr - The 'End-Times' or the 'Fate of the All-Father', when a long foretold series of future events, including a great battle between the Forces of Order against the Forces of Chaos, foretold to ultimately result in the death of the universe.
 * Skjaldmær - Known as 'Shieldmaidens', these fierce female warriors fight alongside the men in battle with shield, sword, axe and spear.
 * Thegn - The lesser partner in the Freyan equivalent of a feudal contract. A king's jarls are his thegns.
 * Thing - (Pronounced ting), a thing was a local assembly of district, known as a thingstead, the thing manages affairs of justice and various other issues of local interest.
 *  Úlfheðinn - A Freyan term when referring to those warriors who fight in an uncontrollable, trance-like fury, who fight without their mailcoats and are as mad as hounds or wolves. They are known to spit and froth at the mouths and bite their shields, slaying men by the score. It is said that neither fire nor iron has any effect upon them. This term is used by the Sons of Odin when referring to those Astartes who are overcome by the blóð móðr (or 'blood rage') and enter an enhanced state, stirring themselves up to such rage and madness that they will boldly attack any foe with suck bloodthirstiness and savagery without being hampered by thoughts of their own or others' safety.
 * Útlægr - Known as 'The Outlawed', these criminals are beyond the law. A punishment for certain serious crimes. A útlægr has no right to wergild if slain, and his killer need not announce the deed.
 * Vargr - Freyan for 'wolf', this term is often used when referring to outlaws and bandits, as well as more mundane wolves. This term is used by the Sons of Odin when referring to corsairs or pirates.
 * Wendól - The Wendól or 'Twisted Ones' are evil spirits given physical form. This is a term utilised by the Sons of Odin when referring to the Daemonic servants of Chaos.
 * Wergild - The amount of compensation paid by a person committing an offense to the injured party or, in case of death, to his family.

Notable Quotes
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By the Sons of Odin
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Gallery
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