Dragon Guard

The Dragon Guard are an Astartes Chapter of Unknown Founding and Descent, although there is evidence that points towards an early founding, perhaps even the 2nd Founding. They hail the mountainus world of Thel where great flying reptiles dominate the sky. These giants give their name to the Dragon Guard who desend on their enemies on great wings, their weapons fiery breath burning away the darkness.

History
Very little is known of the Dragon Guard and what little is known is shrouded in myth and half truths, their founding and origin are a mystery but classified resources indicate the 2nd Founding. The aftermath of the Great Heresy was a time of unending war and strife, the Primarch Roboute Guilliman took charge of his fathers Empire and set about reorganizing the vaunted Astartes, the great Legions were split into Chapters a  thousand strong, the nascent Chapters spread across the Galaxy forging themselves new legends. Records from this time are fragmentary, many Chapters were created but the names of all of them are unknown, the Dragon Guard are listed in only one tome but the fact that they are listed at all shows that they must have existed in 32nd Millennium, sadly who they were created from is not listed. The first indisputable mention of them  was the little known Battle of the Citadels, this brutal conflict took place in the 36th Millennium during the infamous Age of Apostasy, a time of internecine warfare and bloodshed on a galactic scale, the like of which had not been seen since the dark days of the Horus Heresy. The Imperium was nearly destroyed during this time by the whims of the insane and renegade High Lord Goge Vandire. The World of Thel was a fortress, hundreds of defensive points dotted the mountainous land, the Citadels dominated the world, massive weapons stood ready within armoured casemates. Thel could probably have withstood an assault indefinitely but the commanders did not count on an attack from within, rebels took the world and proclaimed themselves free from the rule of Terra. The call for aid was sent and answered, the Dragon Guard arrived in full force and burned the Citadels one by one, their blackened ruins still stand as a testament to their brutal methods. By right of conquest the Dragon Guard claimed the world as their own, taking the largest Citadel as their Fortress-Monastery they have remained ever since.

Notable Campaigns
The Battle of the Citadels (M36) - The entire Chapter destroyed the rebel Citadels on Thel, in the aftermath the Dragon Guard took the World for themselves

Homeworld
Thel is the Homeworld of the Dragon Guard, taken by them as a spoil of war. It is a world of mountains and thick forests, strange flying reptiles brought by the Dragon Guard at the time of their conquest dominate the world. The largest of these creatures roost in the ruins of the citadels while a legendary gigantic Dragon is said to inhabit the Dragon Guards Fortress-Monastery. Located within the mountains of the northern ice fields the Drakens Lair is a truly imposing sight, it's spire is as tall as the mountains that surround it, within armoured redoubts massive orbital defense weapons point to the sky while inhuman screeches echo though its halls.

Chapter Organization
The Dragon Guard divert substantially from the organizational dictates of the Codex Astartes. They have a vast Chapter fleet, and specialise in air-to-ground warfare, orbital drop assaults and flame weapons. Rather than the traditional company the Dragon Guard follow their own organization that often puts them at odds with the more hidebound Chapters, the Dragon Guard have just 4 fighting units 3 line units and 1 veteran unit, simply known as hosts these number 300 Marines each for the line hosts and 100 for the veteran host. The hosts are named according to the wishes of it's Captain or Drake Lord, these are autonomous units that often range far from Thel in defense of the Imperium.

Chapter Fleet
Glaurung (Chapter Barque) - Flagship of the Dragon Guard, before they claimed Thel it was their home, greatly enlarged from its Battle Barge origins, massive weapons batteries stud it's flanks while cavernous launch bays ensure the Dragon Guard can strike wherever  they choose.

Chapter Relics
The Dragons Scales - An exquisite suit of Armour, it's plates a masterwork of skill, with an inbuilt jump pack and master crafted power fist with an inbuilt flamer it's like can no longer be produced in the Imperium.

Desolation - A master crafted sword of almost unparreled perfection, it's blade lit from hilt to tip in flames, it can cut through armour with ease

Notable Dragons Guard
High Lord Morgoth - First Dragon (Chapter Master) of the Dragon Guard, Morgoth has led his Chapter for just 1 year but in that time he has become a living legend to his brothers, a massive Astartes, Morgoth towers over his brothers

Appereance
The Dragon Guard primarily wear jet black Power Armour with flame orange shoulder pads. This Chapter does not display company numbers on its Power Armour, and it does not paint the trim of its shoulder plates to designate company. Squads are marked Roman numerals on the shoulder pauldrons or greaves. Flames are often marked on the Marines greaves

=== Chapter Badge === The Dragon Guards Chapter badge is a black coiled Dragon centered on a field of flame orange.