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Space Marine Chapter Articles ---

"We shall fall in honour and glory than live in dishonour and treachery!"

Despite the paucity of records, accounts of this obscured chapter true origins may lie in the bygone Age of Darkness during the Horus Heresy in the 31st Millennium. The Graven Skulls are recognized as a Loyalist Space Marine Chapter of unknown Founding and origin. These frightful and cryptic marines are a more horrifying, nightmarish force of power armour-clad spectres then the mythic figures that the Imperium idolises as a Adeptus Astartes Chapter.

Nomadic Chapter Fleet
Operating as a solely warfleet on a perpetual Crusade, the Graven Skulls do not follow the standard Crusade pattern of operation when it comes to a Fleet based Chapter. The Chapter functions exclusively on a much rarer operational strategy for its warfleet known as the 'Nomad-Predation' pattern. This pattern utilised by the Graven Skulls has matured over the millennia when operating beyond the Imperium's boundaries for prolonged ages of time. The Nomad-Predation pattern has allowed the Graven Skulls to be an entirely sovereign force that could sustain itself without any support whatsoever. Their Chapter fleet contains as many support vessels as true warships, and is said to also contain a number of voidships capable of both combat and maintenance/repairs. As a Nomad-Predation fleet, the Graven Skulls voyage indefinitely, tarrying only to identify and engage the foes of man. Once a target is selected, the fleet descends quickly, engaging and destroying potential threats. The fleet acquires resources from the annihilated foe before vanishing, safe from any potential retaliation.

Chapter Organisation
Having no set Chapter homeworld, The Graven Skulls reside in their Crusade fleets, upon many Battle Barges, Strike Cruisers, training vessels, and gigantic forgeships. The Skulls core beliefs as a Chapter is first and foremost raiment of arms and organisational pattern around the principle of equipping its individual Space Marines as well as possible. This enables one to endure and prevail against any foe encountered and operate for extended periods without resupply or support if necessary. This dogma is the cornerstone of the Chapters' way of war. The Graven Skulls are noted in the scattered Imperial records as maintaining a well-rounded capacity for unleashing multiple modes of warfare. Some of the bias of their modes of warfare towards heavy assault formations and attritional engagements, as evidenced by the particular use of close-ranged weaponry within the Chapter.

The Graven Skulls Chapter rely upon its infantry to provide its strategic strength, with the bulk of tactical fire support coming from heavily armed support squads, and later with considerable numbers of Terminators and Dreadnoughts providing reinforcement and an assault spearhead where needed.

The reserve of the Chapter's gene-seed is spread throughout all of its primary starships, stored in the Implantation Chambers aboard each vessel. These chambers are the most protected on any Graven Skulls' starship and will be defended by them with their lives if need be, for these chambers contain the essence of the Chapter's future. The Chapter is based out of their ancient Relic Battleship (add name) that serves as the mobile fortress-monastery of the Chapter.

Specialist Ranks & Formations

 * Wraithguard - The Wraithguard are the elite cadre of specially selected Battle-Brothers of the Graven Skulls Chapter who serve as Umbra Dominus' (Chapter Master) bodyguards. Personally selected by the Umbra Dominus of the Chapter for their bravery and valour. Once chosen, the selected Battle-Brother gives up his former life as a common rank-and-file Astartes and swear binding oaths of secrecy. A member of the Wraithguard will then be then listed as killed in action to allay any suspicions as to their true identity, and he would forever conceal his face by always wearing an enclosed helmet, mask or hood. Only the Umbra Dominus of the the Chapter will know the true identity of each member of the Wraithguard, in the event of their death. It is the Wraithguard's sacred duty to never stray from the Umbra Dominus, with two Wraithguard warriors customarily escorting the Umbra Dominus at any given time, though there could be more hidden in the shadows. These stoic warriors' presence are quite intimidating, as they stand uniformly at attention at all times, as still as statues. But in battle the Wraithguard prove equally frightening, for whatever the odds, they will always moved inexorably towards their target, almost as if they are automated killing machines.


 * Deathreaper Terminator Squads - The Deathreapers are those elite Astartes of the Graven Skulls Space Marine Chapter's 1st Company, chosen not simply for their martial skill, but also because of their mental resilience, discipline and self-sacrifice.


 * Doomsayers  - The Graven Skulls Doomsayers (Librarian) are zealots with a deep and abiding hatred of the witch. Such is their disdain of those with psychic powers that they count no Librarians amongst their number lest they foul the Chapter’s pristine gene-seed. The tasks of the Doomsayers, such as record-keeping and the study of lore, are divided among scholarly Battle-Brothers without the taint of the witch within the Chapter. Often an individual Graven Skulls Space Marine or Chapter Master will be responsible for maintaining a record of his own deeds—inscribing them on his armour so that nobody may doubt his courage or lineage.


 * Spectres Assault Squads - The Spectres Assault Squads role in combat is to strike hard and fast at vulnerable points in the enemy's formation and overwhelm their opponents in the ensuing melee. Jump Packs give the squad's Astartes incredible speed and maneuverability and the Assault Marines are experts in using them.

Chapter Gene-Seed
It is unknown which Primarch's gene-seed was utilised in the creation of the Graven Skulls. Their gene-seed seems relatively untainted, if subject to some long-term degradation. The Skulls' gene-seed has obviously suffered some mutations from the original source that was given to them millennia earlier. Though the source of the Graven Skulls' own gene-seed remains suppressed, nobody knows exactly which Primarh's gene-seed was utilised in the creation of the Graven Skulls, as their gene-seed doesn't contain any specific genetic markers. Few fragmentary records that remain show the Graven Skulls' gene-seed branded as ' Chimeric ', as it has been adulterated or somehow altered during its creation. Even with these few facts, the truth of who the Graven Skulls' genetic forebears will more than likely never be known. This matters not to the Graven Skulls, for they hold their loyalty, first and foremost, to the Master of Mankind who is the maker of all Space Marines. It is to Him, and Him alone, that the Graven Skulls hold both their faith and devotion to, for the Emperor is the master of all.

Primarch's Curse: The Strong are Strongest Alone
When the Chapter's genetic curse manifests itself in an affected Battle-Brother, it comes on in three stages:


 * Stage 1 (Contemptuous of Lesser Men) : The Battle-Brother comes to regard all outside of the Adeptus Astartes as thankless curs, undeserving of the sacrifices he and his brethren have made in the name of Humanity.


 * Stage 2 (Distrustful of his Brothers) : The Battle-Brother starts to resents other Space Marines, who he comes to believe are belittling the deeds of his own Chapter. The Battle-Brother even comes to resent those drawn from his Progenitor Chapter, perceiving slights in all they say and do.


 * Stage 3 (The Champion Stands Alone) : Eventually, the Battle-Brother comes to believe that he alone can bear the weight of responsibility vested in the Adeptus Astartes by the Emperor of Mankind. He withdraws even from his own brothers and his temper flares at the slightest provocation. If his counsel is not heeded, he might fly into a rage, and if he is not appointed command of a mission, he considers his skill and his honor gravely insulted.

Chapter Combat Doctrine
Specializing in the art of close-quarter combat, the Graven Skulls operate as heavy infantry force bringing shock battle to their opponents in tightly massed formations. In a typical demi-company battle square the first line will consist of assault marines which smashes into the opponent's lines like a hammer with the weight of the successive lines behind it. Even solid fortifications frequently melt under this impact. The files behind the assault marines exploit and widen the initial breech deploying in a wide variety of lines and formations

Their most favored tactic is deploying as many of their devastators, artillery and other means of dealing wide spread damage in safe allied formations that are about to be assaulted by a vast enemy horde, then have the rest of the chapter deploy via drop pods right on top of the first lines of the enemy horde, halting the tide like a wall and beginning to slowly march against them, while supported by their allies and previously deployed elements.

Chapter Belief
The core beliefs of the Graven Skulls is their unshakeable determination that Mankind should be free of oppression and terror. In their eyes, freedom could only be won by destroying those that would shackle and devour humanity. The battle for Mankind can only be achieved through the endurance of any hardship. The Graven Skulls believe that their faith in their unshakeable resolution in the face of hardship, iron will, and inner strength have helped them to grow beyond the need to adhere to the rigid dictates of the Codex Astartes. Instead the Graven Skulls have opted to forge their own path in life and war using the blood-soaked bought battle-wisdom earned from millennia of endless warfare. Though they look upon the Codex Astartes as a foundation for their way of life, they do not literally follow its teachings through blind orthodoxy. The Graven Skulls do not believe in rigidly adhering to dogma, for this is what has led to much of the stagnation and apparent difficulties that currently runs rampant throughout the wider Imperium.

Battle Damage
The Graven Skulls care little for emblems of rank, except where needed for battlefield recognition. Nor do the Astartes of the Graven Skulls care for badges of honour or other trinkets to commemorate deeds of valour. The closest the Space Marines of the Graven Skulls come to such decoration is respect for the marks of battle itself on their armour, be they from an enemy's blade or bullet that only the Graven Skulls can endure. So long as the integrity of the armour plate itself is not compromised, such damage is left to adorn a Graven Skulls Space Marine's armour as a statement that there is nothing they can not endure, adding to the Chapter's increasingly sinister appearance and deepening reputation among their fellow Astartes.

Chapter Recruitment
Given the Graven Skulls preferential mode of operation is to cull potential initiates from the young of the survivors of their assaults where practical. That is of course if those survivors are human and free of corruption influence of the Warp. The young males are then forced to fight to the death to prove their worth. Those initiates who survive are then subjected to intensive hypno-conditioning and other harsh procedures designed to strip away any past loyalty, and replacing it with the will and attitudes of the Graven Skulls.

Deathwatch Servive
The Graven Skulls have been committing Battle-Brothers to the Deathwatch for millennia. In most cases however, the Space Marine has stood but a single vigil before returning to his parent Chapter. It is whispered by some that the Chapter only ever allows its brethren to stand the Long Watch if and when it suits them.

Chapter Fleet
The Graven Skulls have existed as a fleet-based Chapter designed to operate solely as a warfleet on a perpetual Crusade. not follow the standard Crusade pattern of operation when it comes to a Fleet based Chapter. The Chapter functions exclusively on a much rarer operational strategy for its warfleet known as the 'Nomad-Predation' pattern. This pattern utilised by the Skulls has matured over the millennia when operating beyond the Imperium's boundaries for prolonged ages of time. The Nomad-Predation pattern has allowed the Skulls to be an entirely sovereign force that could sustain itself without any support whatsoever.The Skulls are ever vigilant, and are always ready for battle which is why they have chosen to remain a highly mobile, fleet-based Chapter.

The Chapter fleet of the Graven Skulls is known to contain the following starships:

Chapter Colours
The appearance of the Graven Skulls' is predominantly black and green. The Black colour serves as a sign, that like the legendary Sigismund and the black-armoured Chaplains of the Adeptus Astartes, it serve as a reminder of mortality's impermanent nature, and that only in death does their duty to the Emperor end. The white-coloured squad specialty symbols (Tactical, Assault, Devastator, or Veteran) are indicated on the right shoulder pauldron, while the Chapter icon is proudly worn on the left shoulder pauldron.

Tactical Markings and Heraldry

 * Graven Skulls Helm Variations - The use of vertical helmet stripes to denote seniority is believed to have became common as a mark of veterancy and tactical command.


 * Graven Skulls Chapter Armour - Battle damage that does not compromise a Astartes' Power Armour systems is retained as a mark of honour by Graven Skulls Astartes.

Chapter Badge
The Graven Skulls' Chapter badge is a stylised green chalice with a bone white skull.

Notable Quotes
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By the Graven Skulls:
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About the Graven Skulls:
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