Dawn Stalkers

"This sword... This blade, broken and bloodied shall serve as a reminder, to the sacrifice given and the duty filled by our brothers now lost and our Chapter Master now struck down. This broken blade shall be our symbol of defiance to the heretic, the Xenos and the mutant. This broken blade will be the banner upon which we gather and wage war. This broken blade shall be our light in the darkness to come. This broken blade shall be the sign that the Dawn Stalkers have come."

- Paltanor Kerazanov, Captain of the 3rd Company and the second Chapter Master of the Dawn Stalkers.

The Dawn Stalkers are a Chapter created during the 22nd Founding, a chapter born of the legacy of Rogal Dorn. While they publicly declare themselves as successors of the noble and proud Imperial Fists, they are in actuality sourced from the Crimson Fists, a secret known only to them and chapter father, along with relevant administratum officials.

Upon becoming based on the world of Anakron, a civilised world of snow and mountains, the Dawn Stalkers began their lengthy process of setting themselves up ready to take to the stars, searching for war in the Emperor's name. War, however, found them, and upon both the mentality and psyche of the chapter as a whole, changed them. For it was during the 'Sacking of Anakron' did the Dawn Stalkers find their purpose, in the defence of those defenceless, and to endure the storms of hell itself with an unrelenting will.

Chapter History
The birth of the Dawn Stalkers was one of hardship and sacrifice, but also of duty and unwavering loyalty, their path being first paved with the blood of friend and foe upon their own home-world, a mere seven after their raising in the 22nd Founding. On the temperate world of Anakron, named after the Great Wolf of old, this successor chapter of the Imperial Fists made its home near the snowy plains of the Capital City of Excaliburn, with the fortress-monastery, The Rising Sun overlooking the people below, a new reminder of protection and fear. But as the years passed, and the Dawn Stalkers grew ready at a more progressive pace, a menace would come seeking to undo all they had built.

The Sacking of Anakron
Seven years after the Dawn Stalkers arrival, the world of Anakron came under threat by the Eldar menace, seeking to claim the world for the Biel-Tan craftworld. Their initial offensive was devastating, wiping out 50% of the population in a matter of days, with many more to follow. Following in the footsteps of the Primarch they held so dear, the Dawn Stalkers were caught off guard, losing a score of two hundred newly made brothers in the first days of combat before a proper defence could be mounted. Once done so communication and travel through the warp became perilous, with not a word coming from the Imperium save one, 'Endure'. The then chapter master, Theroin Jakala took it as an order and saw to it that the PDF forces around the world would man the same walls as the Dawn Stalkers. Every young lad and old man strong enough to simply hold a rifle were placed upon the battlements, standing side by side to inexperienced but still far deadlier Astartes.

The fighting was brutal if the word does justice by what was wrought and received by both sides of the conflict. The Eldar were unnaturally stubborn in their wish to take the world, and several times mere battle-brothers were called upon to rally mortal men to stand and fight, and if need be die. One such tale is that of Brother Zarakon, sadly fallen in the same battle he called these very words to rally the hearts of the men about him. "Fight! Fight now! Fight with fire in your heart! Fight with blood on your hands! Fight and die for your home, and the Imperium!" With these words of triumph, he plunged back into the fray, his bolter howling and combat knife blunting. He fought for two days without rest, until he was finally cut down by a trio of Howling Banshees. Those mortal men and women around him rose up and fought with determination matched only by Zarakons. Those left brought his body before his captain, struggling underneath his weight. The captain in question, Paltanor Kerazanov of the 3rd Company took up his fallen brother and laid him to rest upon a marble table nearby. Said table was remade after the sacking and a statue was made in memory of Zarakon, whom the captain stated would have gone far. This was the day the Dawn Stalkers found that even the average man was capable of much, and in them saw a strength to aspire to.

The sacking itself, often dubbed 'The times of fire' began to turn into a war of attrition, one that the Astartes themselves found hard pressed to deal with, but became supremely experienced in said way of war. Their armour became white, assisting in hiding from Xenos' eyes. Their minds tuned to the ideal trench or the superb firing positions. And in their hearts, a fire, raging strong and fierce to protect their home, and a new found appreciation for its people. However, even Astartes are not immortal and thus rely on their Apothecaries to bear them from death. But the dwindling number of said specialists, and thus ad-hoc medical formations comprised of regular battle brothers began to appear. These small units would become a form of combat medic, capable of saving their brothers lives and retrieving the gene-seed as required. They would not become privy to the information full-fledged apothecaries have access to, but this led to a long maintained tradition of every Dawn Stalker having medical training and equipment to save a life, or ensure it's legacy lives on. The Chapter Master himself was no exception either, taking it upon himself to become a full-fledged Apothecary upon the sackings end, and seeing to it that all those who succeed him do the same. Only the later would come to fruition.

After three years of hard-pressed and brutal war through streets and across mountain peaks, the Dawn Stalkers had finally cornered the Eldar warhost. Numbering only 545 left, the Chapter Master did not wish to send any more brothers to die than he had to, a decision which would cost him dearly. He took the remaining 1st Company and attacked the Eldar head on upon an open field of battle. Nothing is known of the battle, until the 2nd, 3rd and 5th Companies led by Paltanor Kerazanov and Axionis Tarl, the Chief Apothecary had crested the hill to see but one Astarte standing. From the obvious melee, many Xenos lay strewn across the field, five for every marine, but the Xenos numbered too many. It was then the Chapter Master, now known as the last marine still upon his feet, bearing naught but a blade, broken in half screamed his final words. "With Dorn as my Father and witness, I shall never break! Never Relent, Always Endure!" And as the light of dawn rose upon him, he stood taller than any Xenos or Astartes there that day. He was cut down seconds after.

The Eldar leader cut through his neck, letting the silence that followed amplify the sickening thud of his severed head sent shockwaves through the horrified marines upon the hill. It was then the mockery came, Eldar cries of challenge, to fight them sword to sword and die as their brothers did. "Pitiful deaths await thee! Come and taste a defeat only you pathetic Mon'Keigh are worthy of, by tasting my sword!" The Dawn Stalkers looked on in near silence, a line of white against the now present shining sun, a grieving numbness took them, and then the rage. They looked to their leaders for guidance, lest they take the challenge issued. Axionis Tarl looked on in silence, and a few seconds passed before he uttered a simple word that focused the pure fury and grief of all Astartes present. "Fire."

Hell itself broke loose, as a full combined 297 Astartes let their bolters rip apart Xenos flesh and armour, who were now struggling to draw their ranged weapons from their holsters, only to be mulched apart by every projectile the Dawn Stalkers had in hand, pouch or even ground. Blood coated the snow, overlaying the white armour of the fallen 1st Company and coating the snow into a dark patch against the blinding white. Their rage came from bolt, plasma and shell, and did not cease until all standing were either dead or mulch. Axionis Tarl approached a nearby tree, on which the Eldar leader, he who killed the chapter master rest, bleeding from a chunk of his lower torso missing. He looked up, and through matted hair grinned. "I am willing to parlay now." A bolt pistol was too merciful for him the Chief Apothecary was noted to have said at a later date.

A sorrowful 3rd Captain approached the bodies of the 1st with tears in his eyes. He looked about, seeing brothers fallen, blades broke in twain, bolters spent and armour cracked. He came up to the body of the chapter master and dropped to his knees, looking upon the twisted, broken figure of his lifeless brother. As the other Dawn Stalkers gathered around him, they wept, silently and solemnly. It was then Paltanor Kerazanov picked up his Chapter Masters blade, broken from the middle down. He cradled it as if were a child and rose back to his feet. The then turned, holding the blade at the hilt and pointed it skywards. It was then he gave his words of remembrance and renewed to those present, with no more tears to weep.

"This sword... This blade, broken and bloodied shall serve as a reminder, to the sacrifice given and the duty filled by our brothers now lost and our Chapter Master now struck down. This broken blade shall be our symbol of defiance to the heretic, the Xenos and the mutant. This broken blade will be the banner upon which we gather and wage war. This broken blade shall be our light in the darkness to come. This broken blade shall be the sign that the Dawn Stalkers have come."

It was then all of the Dawn Stalkers present drew their swords and knives and pointed them skywards, before bringing them down upon their knees, breaking them all into two. Raising them aloft once more, the 3rd Captain spoke once more, his voice throwing the grief away, replacing it with fury in the hearts of the Astartes. "This day we shall remember, till the fire dies out and the stars grow cold! We shall remember our purpose clear as the dawn rises upon these very plains. Never again shall we falter, never again shall we break and fail! For when we brake we shall still strive and we shall still persevere! Never again shall the innocent fall while we draw pained breath! Never again shall we fall without our swords broken upon the necks of Xenos, the heretic and the mutant! We shall never relent, we shall always endure!" As the rolling thunder of the cry repeated by the Astartes filled the plains, the Dawn Stalkers arose a new Chapter Master and found new purpose in their existence. To protect those who cannot protect themselves, and to stand tall even when shattered in body and spirit. Thus was the Dawn Stalkers truly born. But these events would later have a strange effect on the Dawn Stalkers gene-seed, a soon to develop flaw which would be known as 'The burden'.

A Planet Burnt, a Chapter Reborn
Even with hearts filled with renewed vigour, the Dawn Stalkers were still set before a new task. Rebuilding what was lost during the sacking, and re-forging their now depleted numbers, for they totalled a mere 425 Astartes once the last of the Eldar has been slain and their Webway gate turned to ash. It was then after Kerazanov was elevated to the status of Chapter Master did he hold council with those remaining Captains and high command staff. Of those present was the Captains of the 2nd, 5th, 6th, 8th and 9th companies, the Chief Apothecary, in which rank now bears the title 'Blood Father' Axionis Tarl, the newly made Reclusiarch Valandior and Master of the Forge Exios Qwanz. The council came to several agreements which would change how the chapter itself would operate and function.

For starters, every marine of every rank would be made to undergo more advanced and in-depth medical training in order to properly care for their brothers should an apothecary be unavailable. Along with this, the forges of the Dawn Stalkers would create equipment which would allow the Astartes to extract gene-seed from fallen brothers in said cases. This would see every high ranking member, Chaplains, Captains and even tech-marines be seconded as Apothecaries should the need arise. Secondly, the 1st Company itself would be empty forever more in remembrance of the fallen. Their names will be the only ones to roster the 1st, and those worthy of said status will simply be placed into the remaining 9 companies in single squads, creating 9 over-strength companies of 110 Astartes each. This was hoped and proven to have additional effects, such as those veterans being able to more readily teach and mentor the Astartes of the companies to higher standards, albeit a small effect but useful nonetheless. However, if the requirement of a large number of veterans arise the elite members of the company would form together to create the 'Sundered Sons', a company strength ad-hoc formation capable of fulfilling the role of the 1st Company in such circumstances. Finally, the council saw it fit to reintroduce an older piece of equipment not seen in large numbers since the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy, the Boarding Shield. The reason for this is due to the 6th Company, who during a lengthy battle against Eldar skirmishers throughout the thick woodland of the plains demonstrated a good need for such equipment. As Eldar forces encircled the Astartes the members of the 6th company ripped metal plates and even stone slabs from nearby vehicles and rocks to act as mock shields. It proved effective in keeping the Eldar constantly moving to gain better vantage points to flank the Astartes, which only gave their positions away to howling bolt rounds. This show of ingenuity would see the 6th company fully equipped with the shields, and thus named The Stone Wall. They took to this name with pride, painting their shields a dull grey, similar to the stone they wielded before. This also led to them becoming the prime participant in Zone Mortalis operations, scuttling enemy ships and protecting those of the Dawn Stalkers fleet.

The reforms garnered suspecting eyes from the administratum and criticism from other chapters. Granted, for such a young chapter the Dawn Stalkers dared to question the words of the Codex Astartes, and see itself bend to its own will rather than that of the holy tome of the Adeptus Astartes. However, in all other aspects, the Dawn Stalkers remain codex compliant, and to the Imperium it offers loyalty and their lives, and their aspect in medical training chapter-wide often saw companies of Astartes requested to be present on the most brutal and savage of campaigns. Thus, with the chapter rebuilt several decades later, the Dawn Stalkers plunged back into the stars, to see itself cemented into the legends worthy of the Sons of Dorn.

Notable Campaigns

 * Sacking of Anakron (189-193.M37) - The earliest conflict the Dawn Stalkers took part in was also an extremely fundamental event in its history that shaped the chapter into what it is today. The Sacking of Anakron, often dubbed by the citizens of the world as 'The times of fire' where a vast collection of brutal battles fought all across Anakron. This period forged the Dawn Stalkers from war into a chapter knowing of purpose and goal and saw several reforms across the chapter which caused their attitude to civilians to shift to one of a protector, and the idea of the enemy as something to blunt akin to a storm. This was also the time which saw the icon of the 'Broken Blade' become reality, a symbol of the eternal sorrow of the Dawn Stalkers, but also their defiance of submission. However, even for all the Dawn Stalkers fought for and survived against when fighting the Eldar invaders, this conflict would later see the flaw known as 'The burden' develop in the gene-seed of the Dawn Stalkers, something they carry still to this day.


 * Birth of Burden (255-256.M38) - During the 38th Millennium the 3rd Company, now led by Captain Belcar 'Ironfist' was requested to assist in a local campaign against the greenskin invasion on the agri-world 'Shiril'. Seeing as the Orks outnumbered local PDF and present Imperial Guard forces, the 3rd Company swiftly accepted the request and made their way to Shiril to stand alongside those already embattled against the Orks. As the Dawn Stalkers entered the system they noticed a small Ork Fleet in orbit, still combating the local defence flotilla. The plan was to use Thunderhawks to quickly transport the ground force to the area in most dire need of reinforcement, while the fleet stays in orbit to assist the local defence fleet. A mere three hours later the Thunderhawks were soon heard roaring over the fields, darting towards the outlying hive city of 'Arcburn'. Meanwhile, the Dawn Stalkers fleet, headed by the Battle Barge 'Crimson Arrow' plunged towards the Ork fleet, carving metal from rock and stone from steel. They did so without letting another system ship fall, and none of their own, a resounding success to be sure over the 4 days of the orbital conflict. Planetside, however, things did not fare well. When the Dawn Stalkers arrived at Arcburn they found a city with walls already breached and soldiers already failing. The 11 aircraft quickly deposited the 11 squads throughout the city, with the Sternguard veterans being placed where the fighting was thickest alongside the 7th squad. Accounts are scarce, but any and all sources mention that numerous times Astartes were seen throwing themselves between citizens and guardsman and what would have been dead. While the Astartes were more than capable of enduring the Ork attacks, it left many wounded and some fallen. As the battle came to a close and the greenskins were soon driven from the city Belcar saw it fit to investigate this strange desire not only his men but also he had experienced to save the humans whom they fought alongside. Questioning of the Astartes presents strange accounts, where groups of 3 or more Dawn Stalkers felt an urge to protect the mortals who stood near them, disregarding their own safety even at the cost of their own lift. Belcar ordered his company to go about the planet in teams of 2 squads to areas which required their assistance most while he investigated the matter with his apothecaries. The findings took several years after the invasion to confirm, but it was confirmed nonetheless. Their gene-seed had developed a flaw, one which saw them possessing a dire need to see the mortal lives of humans safe, but the life of anything else be destroyed with a passion and fury unnatural for even Astartes. It was thus dubbed, 'The Burden', and it was such in both naming and context.


 * The Liberation of Thall (330.M38) - Thall was a system known for its output of both food and valiant guardsman, commonly dubbed 'The Thallian Rifles'. This would soon cease, however, for during the 38th millennium the entire system would come under assault by Khornate demons supported by the ever bloodthirsty World Eaters Legion. When the call for help was sounded, the Crimson Fists chapter was the first to answer. They knew, however, that the only two companies they had available would not be enough to assist the system, and called upon their sons, the Dawn Stalkers to supplement their numbers. A full three companies, the 3rd, 4th and 8th and Chapter Master Paltanor Kerazanov responded to the call and set out to meet their father chapter with all due haste. Upon arriving at the system, but one planet was left with anything worth saving, Thall itself, which was already burning by the time the fleet had entered orbit. Surprisingly, no spaceborne enemies were present, thus allowing the Dawn Stalkers and Crimson Fists to quickly enter the atmosphere through Thunderhawk insertion and assist the defending forces where help was most needed. The battle plan suggested by Crimson Fist Commanders would see the 2 Crimson Fist companies and the 4th engage the daemonic forces already planetside head on. The 3rd and 8th were to pull rear-echelon duties, evacuating civilians, providing support to embattled forces and securing positions of vital importance. Paltanor Kerazanov approved of these plans, and saw to it he would lead the actions of the 3rd and 8th companies, while the captain of the Crimson Fists 5th would lead the assault force. Things were moving relatively smoothly for the rear-echelon force, and several thousand civilians were able to make it off world without bearing witness to chaos in any form, thus sparing them an Inquisitor's bolt pistol. However, five days after the extraction had begun a howling was heard above the head, one akin to that of a Drop Pod. Seeing the source as Dreaclaws belonging to the World Eaters, the Dawn Stalkers rear force quickly formed a line barring the World Eaters from the civilians, seeking to prolong them long enough for as many humans to escape as possible. Luckily for them, the World Eaters had landed on the other side of the city the Dawn Stalkers were in, and would have to breach the defences made by the local guardsman and fortified further by the Dawn Stalkers. That luck would run short, however, for the World Eaters were not going to simply line up to get shot, some even jumped from flying Dreadclaws when passing over the defensive positions, landing with sickening thuds upon the loyalist Astartes. Once they had amassed, a chorus of unholy screams arose in the facing direction of the Dawn Stalkers trenches, followed a mere moment later by a red wave of 300 World Eaters charging headlong towards the defensive line. As bolt rounds flew and Astartes died on both sides, Paltanor Kerazanov stood strong at the direct centre of the combat, directing his Marines to hold strong and fight hard. When the World Eaters crashed upon the line, all noise save howling bolters and growling chain-axes was drowned out, with the screams of rage becoming but a dull background sound. Nearby civilians cluttered to enter the transports, fearful of what may come to them should the line break. And break it did, for the left side was eviscerated in minutes, and all of the Blood Gods sociopaths poured through the gap, charging the panicked civilians with the desire to spill blood encompassing their every sense. Horrified, the Dawn Stalkers watched on as the civilians were ripped to pieces, turned to spray by chain axes, dissected and eviscerated with the only cries audible that of the World Eaters, joyful glee evident from their harsh laughter. This sight sent the remaining Dawn Stalkers into a rage, beyond anything they had felt before, they snapped so to say. It was in this rage they lunged forth, Chapter Master and all headlong into the World Eaters, shouting bitter curses and screams so vile that their throats bloodied. With knives and fists, they grappled, stabbed, ripped and killed all those within grasp. Of the few civilian survivors, who would later meet the sad fate of an Inquisitor's sword, some would state that they had no idea who was the enemy and who was their Astartes saviours, for blood covered them all red and their screams were indistinguishable bouts of unnatural rage too akin to each other to identify. Of the 188 Astartes who partook in the rear-echelon duties, only 32 would survive, coming out of their blind rage they would find with broken hearts their Chapter Master, laying still beside the corpse of a Bloodthirster and a dozen World Eaters. Of the remaining 32 was the Apothecaries attached to the two companies and the Chaplain of the 8th, who began to investigate as to why they had all became blind with fury after the fallen were addressed. It found that a second effect had developed with their gene-seed as part of The Burden. They named this effect 'The Sword', for they sought not to protect as the later named 'Shield' does, but instead the Astarte becomes compelled to slaughter in a ballistic fury any who dare cross their path, only just retaining enough self-control to avoid harming humans and allies.


 * The Second Burning (294.M39) - Approximately two thousand years after Anakron had first tasted the fires of war, they had returned, But the enemy to face them was not intent on control or annexation, but total annihilation. With but two companies, the 4th and 7th remaining planetside for redeployment, a sudden surge in warp activity kept the companies grounded, with openings appearing sparingly for but a few hours. After three weeks of worsening conditions, a surge broke forth above the skies of the southern capital, 'Adelanis', and planets agricultural capital. What broke forth was a force of World Eaters outnumbering the present Dawn Stalkers 10 to 1. Within hours the rabid beserkers, led by a Black Legionnaire, Fyrian Fireheart, had turned the southern capital into but ash, a pale reminder of the once abundant and kindly people who lived there.

Chapter Homeworld
It is upon the world of Anakron in the Segmentum Solar that the Dawn Stalkers strike their flag, and from it, the blood of the chapter continues to flow. The world itself has but one purpose, to provide ample manpower to the chapter and assist in any way they can, whether it be the fabrication of arms, supplies or defending the world should it come under threat. Before this, however, it was known as a simple temperate world of civilisation and snow. While snowstorms are commonplace they are often subsided to sunrises which even some of the Astartes consider 'appealing'. Mountains rise up, clawing their way through the clouds and various snow plains that span hundreds of kilometres across. Woodlands are also present, although primarily around the cities and towns which litter the surface. They are thick with shrub and sometimes house a multitude of dangerous wildlife which breeds quickly. One such creature is the 'Snowy Thorian Jackal', a four-legged canine-like creature of human height while being as long as a small vehicle. This creature has two heads, and claws that are short, but dangerous to even an armoured Astarte. Often or not, an Aspirant will be sent to hunt one such creature in order to test themselves before they undertake the final trial, the hunting of the Anakron Snow Drake. The mountains hold this elusive creature, which does not often come down to the surface. However, it is not through fear, but territorial reasons, for the Anakron Snow Drake is a sizeable beast, about as big as a small shack and with teeth capable of ripping through tanks. Their scales are not able to withstand bolter fire, but because of this Aspirants will be forced to use but knives to bring down this beast before ascending to full Battle-Brother status. The capital of Excaliburn houses approximately 3 million civilians, along with, at all times, a minimum of 5 Battle-Brothers who stand vigil over the 'Memorial of the Brave'. This specific memorial was raised in remembrance of those who fell during the sacking and is manned by at least 5 Astartes and 30 PDF soldiers at all times. It was here that Brother Zarakon, an honoured Astartes of the Dawn Stalkers lies for his valiant service during the battle that took place in Excaliburn. It is known to house many features of remembrance including offerings and paintings. The most noteworthy feature, however, is a hall spanning 500 meters in length. It is here engravings of the chapters fallen and the mortal men and women who died defending of Anakron stand, lining the walls in solemn but thankful remembrance of those who stood against the darkness which fell upon Anakron and it's people.

Fortress-Monastery
The Rising Sun is the Fortress-Monastery of the Dawn Stalkers and the secondary capital of the planet. located in the high mountains of the 'Zarakon Reaches', named after the late Battle-Brother who fell in the defence of the prime capital. The fortress itself is akin to many chapters, a place of gathering, housing, training and command. The only form of uniqueness present is small town present in the Monastery grounds. A small population of 400 civilians sought refuge at the Monastery during the Sacking and were permitted entry. Thankful for the safety, the men and strong adolescents offered themselves up to assist in defending the keep and were permitted and trained in the use of the anti-air and anti-personnel batteries present upon the world. After proving their worth the second Chapter Master, Paltanor Kerazanov allowed the civilians to remain in the Monastery, forming a community of serfs and Chapter Auxiliary which maintains a constant watch over the Fortress-Monastery. They have no name, but their deeds are not unaccounted, for they receive the honour of bearing witness to the Dawn Stalkers on a daily basis.

Chapter Culture
The culture of the Dawn Stalkers is akin to that of the knightly orders of old, holding honour, duty, sacrifice and endurance above all other values a knight should aspire to. While no special titles are granted to those who perform exemplary acts, they do receive a reward in the form of a ceremony. This ceremony is known as 'The Breaking'. If a Battle-Brother is found to have performed to the highest standard possible, the Reclusiarch of the chapter will take this Brother into the most inner sanctum of the Fortress-Monastery. Here he will be made to endure pains above most wounds he would sustain on the battlefield, and be forced to relive his most painful memories of loss and sorrow over and over again. This is to put new fire into the Astarte in question's heart and to show them their purpose in the purest light possible. While none can fail this ceremony, a brother may choose to leave during it, sustaining no dishonour upon him, but forbidding himself from ever attempting the ceremony again. Should he see it through to the end, he shall be given a broken blade, one of the 297 blades broken upon the fields their first chapter master fell. The Battle-Brother will carry this blade with him everywhere, hanging from a chain about his neck. Should he fall another shall retrieve the blade and see it returned to its sanctum upon Anakron, waiting to be carried to war again. The Dawn Stalkers also routinely 'crusade' to liberate nearby star systems of Xenos, heretic or mutant threat, which falls in line with their knightly persona, but for the purpose of freeing the enslaved or embattled rather than to conquer and kill.

Alongside this ideal of knightly orders, the chapter often partakes in the Feast of Blades, in which all successors of Dorn are invited to partake. They have yet to win the honour of championing the competition and bringing back the 'Dornsblade', but still, hold out hope that it shall one day see the hall of The Rising Sun.

The chapter is also widely known to show honour and appreciation to the civilians and innocents of the Imperium. In mortal men and women, they see strength not many others can, for they stand against the same horrors, the same enemies and the same prospects of death the elevated Astartes do. It is this fact they hold themselves to standards that the immortal Astartes do that garners respect from Dawn Stalkers, and a desire to understand that same strength by standing alongside those considered 'weak' and 'below' them by other chapters.

Chapter Beliefs
While the chapter does recognise the state religion of the Imperium as the 'Imperial Creed', the chapter itself are believers that the Emperor is not a god, but merely their creator. They see him as the one who allowed their existence, and as such thank him for their purpose and ability to serve the Imperium as they do now, but do not venerate him as a god. Instead, the chapter believes in more secular ideals, akin to that of the Imperial Truth. Science has an answer that the creed does not an Astartes of the chapter is noted to have once said. However, unlike the old believers in the Imperial Truth, the Dawn Stalkers do not see the warp as wholly evil, due to the presence of beings such as the Imperial Saints and the Emperor himself. They do not practice the warp as severely as others, but they do hold a small number of Librarians who are cautious in their study of the warp, seeking to understand it without succumbing to the dark nature of it.

Chapter Gene-Seed
The Dawn Stalkers trace their lineage back to the Primarch Rogal Dorn and are known to be descendants of the Imperial Fists to all save their own and those affiliated. It is in reality, a lie that the Dawn Stalkers are sires of the Imperial Fists, for they are in actuality descended from the stock of the Crimson Fists, a chapter of the Second Founding. It is not known why this is kept a secret to all save the Dawn Stalkers, Crimson Fists and the administratum, but it is a secret they hold, even from the Imperial Fists themselves.

The gene-seed the Dawn Stalkers possess is quite stable, as is with most Sons of Dorn. They possess no mutation and, akin to their brother chapters, posses no use of the Sus-an Membrane or the Betcher's gland. However, there is in the gene-seed a flaw, one known to the chapter and the chapter alone. A flaw known only as, 'The Burden'.

The Burden
It is unknown how the flaw developed, nor is there a cure for the effects. While it is not a deadly issue as of the moment, it is still a genuine concern of the chapters Apothecarion, as would be any flaw discovered by any chapter, regardless of the effects. The Burden, however, has only two known effects, The 'Shield' and the 'Sword':

The Shield: The Shield is a desire that a Dawn Stalker may feel on the field of battle. A sudden urge to defend those weaker than he, and to protect the strength of humanity, even at the cost of his own life will overtake him. He will do anything and everything he can to protect mortal men and women, only disregarding orders if the loss of life he could prevent is substantial enough. While only felt under rare circumstances, the conviction an Astartes will feel under this effect is so strong that some find it difficult to adhere to given orders as stated before. It has only ever been documented affecting entire squads of Astartes, only being seen in a single Dawn Stalker should the rest of his squad be injured or perished. But this feeling pales in comparison to the direct contrast of 'The Sword'.

The Sword: There The Shield ensnares an Astartes to protect and defend the innocent, The Sword compels them to kill anything below humanity, more so than the already near murderous intent Astartes feel towards all enemies of the Imperium. While easier to control one-self under the effect of The Sword, Astartes will experience this part of the flaw far more rarely than The Shield, and will often divulge into the need to hack apart the Xenos, turn to ash the mutant, and forcibly 'repent' the heretic. Upon the effects of The Sword taking hold, Astartes will become blind with rage, remembering nothing from the time under the wrathful trance, coming back to their sense dazed and confused as to what had happened. As opposed to the shield, which seems to affect groups of Astartes, the Sword can affect but a single Battle-Brother only, with groups of afflicted only forming under circumstance rather than design.

It is unknown if an Astartes can or has felt the effects of both parts of the flaw at the same time, but it is known that the feeling and urges each part brings appears and dissipates in the blink of an eye, occasionally leaving an Astartes unaware as to what had just transpired.

Chapter Organisation
The Dawn Stalkers are a codex compliant chapter in all but formation. While they do not exceed the 1000 Astartes mark, they are known to possess a completely empty 1st Company. The would 100 Veterans who would make up the 1st are instead divided into squads of 10 amongst remaining 9 companies. This is done in honour of the fallen members of the 1st company who met their demise during the Sacking of Anakron. The succeeding Chapter Master, Paltanor Kerazanov wished for the names of those fallen to be the only ones to roster the 1st in sorrowful respect to their brothers and First Chapter Master who died before the chapter had a chance to fully realise its goal. In regards to all other aspects of the chapter, compliance with the codex is apparent, and no other deviations have been noted nor are present within the chapter, excluding that of stratagem and training standards.

Officer Ranks
The officer body of the Dawn Stalkers is identical to the ranks laid down in the Codex Astartes, with the only differences being that the Chief Apothecary bears the title 'Blood father', and each officer is a capable Apothecary even if said function is not his given role. As such, officers and even in some cases, regular Battle-Brothers may find themselves taking up the reigns of an Apothecaries role, providing medical aid and the retrieval of precious gene-seed to keep life flowing through the chapter.

Specialist Formations
The Sundered Sons: Within the Chapter exists a formation which is not officially standing nor always in active use, for it changes in size rapidly and on some occasions, dissolves entirely. This formation is known as the 'Sundered Sons', in which the veteran squads of every company shall unite into one to form the equivalent of the 1st company should the dire need for such a force ever arise. The leader of this formation is nearly always the Chapter Master but can be seconded to a Captain should the Chapter Master be indisposed. Most veterans of the Chapter are Sternguard veterans, yet two squads of Vanguard veterans do exist and are often seen utilizing lighter equipment to the more range focused Sternguard as is expected.

The Swords of Day: As is known, the Dawn Stalkers possess no 1st company, and as such distribute the 100 veterans into 10 man squads amongst the other companies. There is a discrepancy in this, however. It should be clear that 10 veterans are left without a company to call their own, and it is to these 10 that they serve as the Chapter Masters personal command force, his guardians and advisers, they are The Swords of Day. Out of all the veteran units within the 'Sundered Sons', only the best shall be given the honour of serving within the elite of the elite, the cream of the chapters crop so to say. This additional honour, however, comes with extra duties. Each one of the Swords shall be expected to be a master swordsman in his own right, he shall undertake full apothecary training and status, and will be of a sound tactical and leading mind, should the need for a 'temporary' captain arise. For all that these few are worth, they are granted the most laundered and priceless equipment available to the chapter, including rare and powerful two-handed power swords close to the Ingelldina-Pattern of power swords in appearance. For it is in them that the chapter master stays safe, and thus, no expense is spared.

Order of Battle
The Dawn Stalkers are, as has been mentioned before, adherent to the codex with exclusions of a few small areas. As is already mentioned, the 1st Company is empty and has remained so ever since they fell upon Anakron itself. This, alongside the chapters preference to train all Astartes in the way of medical care, and the 6th Company being chosen to wield Boarding Shields to an extensive degree, the chapter retains a very strict adherence to the codex, seeing every other function they undertake to be in accordance to the tome.

Deathwatch Service
It is not known how many brothers of the Dawn Stalkers have served in the vaunted Deathwatch, but those brothers that are called upon are known to have served with distinction and provide the chapter with valuable information regarding combat against Xenos threats upon his return. The most notable of these brothers was Apothecary Makarazo, who brought back with him valuable experience in combating Tyranid lifeforms and how to properly defend against them. Since the day of his return the Apothecarion of the Dawn Stalkers has been studying information on the Tyranid form in order to better understand possible weaknesses to exploit and how to properly combat the ever-changing form of this highly dangerous Xenos.

Chapter Combat Doctrine
All chapters of the Adeptus Astartes are said to be masters of every form of warfare utilised by the Imperium, from void operations to the armoured spearhead, air assaults, and infantry charges. With this in mind, it is worthy to mention that every Chapter will find an 'ideal' style of war for them to wage, one that is in tune with their psyche and tactical disposition that seems them soar above their peers in specific styles of combat. To the Dawn Stalkers, we see a mastery of the way of attrition, slowing wearing down the enemy assaults from static positions and crushing the feeble lines of the hostile underneath ceramite boots and the aggressive bark of bolter fire. It is in the trenches where a Dawn Stalker feels most comfortable, knowing that his positions will be held, and if he runs dry of ammunition and his blade grows blunt his gauntleted hands will suffice. It is also common for the chapter to find preference in ranged combat, seeing the bolter as an extension of his fury towards the Xenos, an assault cannon a fine deliverer of judgment to the heretic, and the missile launcher a clear message to the undesirable mutant. Combined, these two preferences prove the Dawn Stalkers to be a brutal opponent when defending, and a force of unrelenting death when assaulting. The Dawn Stalkers have also shown an appreciation to snowy climates, mainly due to familiarisation with such environments due to their homeworlds natural climate. Utilizing the fine white colouring of their armour to assist in blending in, the Dawn Stalkers will often be the unseen foe in such conditions, in which an enemy force will be left wondering what shot them, rather than who.

The preference of ranged combat does not mean that the Dawn Stalkers are inexperienced in melee combat, however. It is in fact, a skill they practice thoroughly, but secondly to marksmanship. An unnamed captain once remarked upon this, "The enemy which does not make it to the trench is the enemy that will not break your blade." Alongside this, it's known that the elite 'Swords of Day' are masters of melee combat, showing the ability to hack down any foe with their two-handed power swords, wielding them as if they were their own limbs.

Notable Space Marines
While mankind's history is known to breed evils untold and bring about death and destruction incomprehensible in scale devastation, there have been many times in which the few who remain to see one rise above all, to lead in darkness, to brave against the storm, or slaughter those who would do the same to him and his kin. The Astartes are not just an example of said heroes rising through legends but are the paragons of which heroes are made. For the Dawn Stalkers, some bear names and title which swell the chapter with pride, and in some cases a mix of sorrow.


 * The First Chapter Master: His name has been lost to the annals of time, and thus remembered simply as the first of all Chapter Masters. It was upon a nameless field of a desolate tundra where he met his end, breathing his last of his chapters homeworld. Those who knew him to say he was a great man, who would have led the Dawn Stalkers to many glories. Those who fought with him tell tales of valour and glory, able to kindle a rage that could alight entire cities. Now he rests, at the Memorial of the Brave, still donned in his cracked and broken power armour, with a familiar sword resting silently upon his breast, awaiting a day for war to come again.


 * Chapter Master Paltanor Kerazanov: The Second Chapter Master of the Dawn Stalkers was found mere moments after the first had perished, in the form of the 3rd company Captain Paltanor Kerazanov. It was in him that the Dawn Stalkers found a new leader, who for two hundred years led them through the rebuilding process, the discovery of the Burden, when the rage of the Dawn Stalkers was let loose upon the World Eaters, up until his own demise combating a Bloodthirster of Khorne during the 'Liberation of Thall'.


 * Captain Belcar 'Ironfist' : While a shrewd and often austere captain in many regards, Belcar was oft said to be of an iron will, along with possessing a fatherly nature to his men in the 3rd Company. His most defining feature is his right bionic arm, which he gained after losing his flesh born one to a Striking Scorpion near the end of the Sacking. The most noteworthy act of his however was his discovery of 'The Burden'. Early in the chapter's history, the 3rd were called upon to assist the agri-world of Shiril in the midst of an Ork invasion. It was during the defence of Arcburn, a city based upon the planet, the first effects of The Burden began to emerge. As stated, sources are scarce, but those that are present show the Astartes often putting themselves in front of danger to protect civilians and soldiers alike. Any Astartes who did so stated that they felt a compulsion to, in complete disregard of their own safety, which led to several Dawn Stalkers falling during the defence. Utilizing the apothecaries attached to the 3rd, Belcar led a research project over several years to discern the cause of these 'urges'. It was five years after Shiril was saved in which the results showed the flaw in the Dawn Stalkers gene-seed, known as 'The Burden'.


 * Brother Zarakon: At the time of his death, Brother Zarakon had been a full-fledged Astarte for a mere two years, but is shown to live up to the standards set by heroes of old who lived the length of Zarakon's life a dozen times over. The Sacking of Anakron, in which Brother Zarakon fought was a pivotal moment in the Dawn Stalkers founding, leading to its mindset and doctrine they still hold true to heart to this very day. Brother Zarakon however, would not see this time, for at the 'Battle of the White Capital' where a sizeable Eldar host sought to cripple Anakrons infrastructure Brother Zarakon rose to the challenge they had set, and won. All around him the PDF soldiers saw the death of their kinsmen, and the razing of their home. It was this fear and grief that Zarakon turned into fire, throwing himself into the Xenos screaming for the PDF soldiers to fight on. For two days without rest, he fought, throwing back all who came before him, letting loose wrath blazing against the Eldar. It was when a trio of Howling Banshees cut him down did the mortals alongside him feel true sorrow. He was not of them, yet he fought as if Anakron was the home in which he grew upon, and for that the PDF gutted the Eldar filth, seeking to retrieve the remains of their fallen hero. His body, too heavy for the mere men to lift was still brought aloft and found it's resting place where the Memorial of the Brave would be erected. There he lies still, earning his place alongside the hundred others laid down in this sacred place.

Chapter Fleet
While not strangers to void warfare, the Dawn Stalkers have a preference to keep their feet planted upon the ground. Thus, they field a smaller fleet compared to most other chapters, but modification and maintenance of a smaller fleet how allowed their ships to become potent enough to hold off at least 3 ships of equal class.

The size of the fleet is as such: 2 Battle Barges, 9 Strike Cruisers and 18 escorts. As mentioned, this smaller fleet utilizes weaponry considered rare by most other chapters, and each ship is diligently maintained, keeping them strong through the ages. This plays in part with the preferred method of naval combat often employed by the chapter, the decapitation blow. Utilizing a close-knit formation, the fleet will plunge itself into the heart of the enemy, locating and focusing fire upon the flagship, disrupting the chain of command exponentially. Should this task be impossible or too risky, hit and run tactics will be used to lure the flagship out. This allows the spear to strike where it shall bleed the enemy the most.

Notable Ships

 * Crimson Arrow (Battle Barge) - The Crimson Arrow, the ship granted to the Dawn Stalkers and christened by the Crimson Fists serves as a mobile headquarters in which the Dawn Stalkers are capable of launching planetary invasions, throwing back hostiles fleets and plunging into the hearts of many a capital ship, who have fallen to her prow ram. The most notable feature is the reinforced prow, made into the speak of a spear in some regards at the sacrifice of a smaller hanger. This limits the number of Thunderhawks the ship may carry but greatly increases combat effectiveness at close range.

Chapter Relics

 * The Broken Blade: When the first chapter master was struck down, his personal power sword was shattered in half. The hilt and the remaining part of the blade itself lay upon the body of the most recent chapter master to fall, held upon the chest by the lifeless gauntlets of the leader most recently lost. Some within the chapter. primarily of the Librarium speak of strange tales, however, myths so to say. They say in hushed whispers that one day the blade shall be born anew, reforged to see war again and lead he would become the greatest of all the Dawn Stalkers to victory and glory. For this to come about however, it must taste the blood of those who struck down the first, a price of blood in order to spill blood. It is necessary to note, however, that these are but stories, nothing more.


 * The Swords of Breaking: The 297 blades, broken and stained still remain in the chapter possession to this day, and are utilized as marks of honour and distinction amongst the Astartes of the Dawn Stalkers. The ritual is known as 'The Breaking' sees a Battle-Brother undertake a series of tests, designed to inflict pain upon the body and great swaths of sorrow and fury upon the psyche. The aim is to see if the Astartes breaks before the trials are done, a test to judge him fit of wielding a physical manifestation of the Chapters promises centuries ago. To this day only 221 of the blades remain, for 76 of the relics were lost due to a variety of reasons. While they can be utilized in combat they typically remain hung around the neck of the Astartes from an iron chain or placed upon the hip via other means of connection.

Chapter Colours
Ever since their inception, the chapter has utilised a snow-white colour scheme, accented with golds. The only deviation found is with the Sundered Sons, who paint the entirety of the chest plate gold while retaining the decorative aspects of the regular Mark 7 armours to their Mark 4.

Chapter Badge
The armorial of the Dawn Stalkers utilizes the sword belonging to the first chapter master, with the hilt faced upwards and the blade downwards. It is not known if the Dawn Stalkers made use of another logo before this, but it is likely they used the same iconical fist as their father chapter and the Imperial Fists.

Crimson Fists
The Crimson Fists are, in actuality, the source of the Dawn Stalkers gene-seed as opposed to the public declaration that they are in fact direct successors to the Imperial Fists. This is secret kept only by both chapters and members of the administratum, a secret not even the Imperial Fists themselves are privy to. None know why this is the case, or if there is a valid reason behind the secrecy. This has not affected the relationship between these chapters however and has only, in fact, strengthened the bond between the Crimson Fists and the Dawn Stalkers, who often call upon each other in times of need, such as The Liberation of Thall and the 13th Black Crusade.

The Eldar
For the damage wrought upon the chapter during the Sacking of Anakron, and the innocents cut down in their wake, the Dawn Stalkers hold a sacred and burning hatred for any and all Eldar, refusing to cooperate with them, even if their lives were at stake. Upon hearing of the Ynnari and Imperiums 'ceasefire', the Dawn Stalkers Chapter Master commented before Roboute Guilliman himself, stating "We shall not actively hunt them, but we will not spare the animal that comes to the hunter." This was met with discontent from the Primarch, but stated he would not stop them should such circumstances come to pass. Whether or not such an event would lead to other outcomes is unknown.

World Eaters
Of all the heretical warbands and groups to roam the galaxy, none have garnered the hatred of the Dawn Stalkers more so than the infamous World Eaters. During the Liberation of the Thall system, 3 companies worth of Dawn Stalkers assisted 2 companies of their Father Chapter, the Crimson Fists in freeing the Thall system from chaos enslavement. While the Crimson Fists and a single company of Dawn Stalkers, the 4th Company specifically held off hordes of Khornate Demons while the 8th and 3rd Companies proceeded to pull rear echelon duties in order to evacuate as many civilians as possible. It was during this effort that a group of 300 World Eaters fell from the skies, thundering down in bloodred Dreadclaws, the thirst for death was so great that the World Eaters jumped from their transports before their transports had even hit the ground. The calamity that followed would see the unknown second effect of the gene-seed flaw the burden take effect, dubbed 'The Sword', and thousands of what could have been saved civilians butchered. This event saw the Dawn Stalkers swear eternal hatred upon the fallen twelfth, vowing to spill their blood in oceans, drop for drop if need be.