Bears of Kalum

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Bears Of Kalum
Bears of Kalum armorial of the 1st Company (8th Founding color scheme).
4th Company Sergeant founding color scheme.
Space Marine Chapter
Allegiance	Imperium of Man (Fidelis ad Mortem)
Founding	8th Founding
Successor of	Imperial Fists (Rogal Dorn lineage.)
Chapter Master	Jane Seviegrim
Homeworld	Kalum
Fortress-Monastery	Kalus Stronghold
Allies	- Excoriators Minotaurs - Members of the Inquisition
Number of Marines	Approx. 500 (5 Companies in M42)
Specialty	Defensive/Void warfare
Battle Cry	"Kalum stands!"
Colours	Red-Brown & Yellow
Successor Chapter(s)	Unknown

"Brothers. We know not what happens outside this storm, yes. However we shall fight on as if Dorn himself is waiting to greet us after out victory. WE SHALL NOT FAIL HIM!"

— Bear's Claw Seval Domanduez during the Great "Damned" Crusade

The Bears of Kalum is an Imperial Fists Successor chapter, was founded during the peak of the 8^th Founding to bolster the presence around the Eye of Terror. A Codex-compliant chapter, their primary duty is defending and patrolling the northern Gothic Sector. Over their long watch of the sector, their rather unfortunate proximity to the warp storm "Storm of the Emperor's Wrath" became apparent. The following chaos incursions and warp storms would've broken most chapters, this only hardened their resolve to defend their world and their space.

This resolve has become the quality the Bears of Kalum are known for, however, it has gotten them into numerous bloody conflicts with their rather intense and stubborn defense of worlds, refusing to withdraw out of a sense of duty and morality. This talent for stubborn defense has made the chapter a useful asset to the Inquisition, effectively using them as a levee for heresy in local rebellions. The chapter gained a rather brutal reputation for putting down revolts or rebellions, and for following the Inquisitions orders rather willingly as the chapter didn't forget the lengths the Inquisition went to in order to rebuild the chapter.

Chapter History

Created in the 34^th Millennium during the 8^th Founding the Bears of Kalum had a slow-pace start in their service to the Emperor, with relatively few conflicts in nearby space. Mostly local small-scale rebellions or slave revolts. The nature of their region of space meant rather heavy and frequent use of voidcraft and void combat. Within this sphere of warfare, the Bears rapidly showed an aptitude for, displaying a brutal amount of cunning being displayed in their maneuvers. However, this light period of action took a radical change during the first of the "Damned" Crusades.

The Barbarus Incursion

In 831.M35 a daemonic incursion occurred and the Bears of Kalum were called upon the assist the Black Templars in repelling it. Most information about this incursion has been expunged by the Inquisition with the only holdouts being in the chapters causality records where the Bears swear to Terra and back that the Black Templars left their 6^th Company to die during a daemon assault. This incident permanently scarred the two chapter's relations.

First "Damned' Crusade

The First "Damned" Crusade. The crusade took place from 238.M36 to 567.M36 when the Storm of the Emperor's wrath first came into being during the Age of Apostasy. This found the entire chapter save the 3^rd Company trapped within a colossal warp storm for 330 standard Terran years. During this time the chapter faced hundreds of daemonic incursions and around 14 separate Chaos space marine raids. This unprecedented assault on the mostly non-battle tested chapter translated into grievous causalities. The apparent goal of the traitor marines was to steal the older wargear of the chapter, as the armory received much of the attacker's attention. It was luckily able to hold firm without falling to Chaos. When the wider Imperium discovered that Kalum suddenly emerged 300 years later they were rather shocked to learn the chapter had stubbornly clung to existence; It had been suspected the chapter had been destroyed or lost to chaos. Although for the Bears of Kalum the so-called "Damned" crusade only lasted for a mere 2 decades of hell and hardship, they were astonished to learn of its supposed 300-year absence from real space. After their survival the Ordo Hereticus of the Inquisition took a keen interest in the chapter, to search for heresy and corruption amongst the survivors. To the Inquisitor's surprise, they found the chapter to be entirely pure and loyal. With this knowledge, they leveed for Munitorum relief and removal from patrol duties till sufficiently reinforced. These requests were granted, thus beginning the first rebuilding era of the chapter.

First Rebuilding

With the end of the first "Damned" Crusade the chapter needed time to recover its strength, as after the storm contracted only 313 marines had survived. Thus through the Inquisitorial sanctions, material and manpower started arriving en-mass on Kalum. This effort of reconstruction would last from 567.M36 well into 601.M36 with the 1^st , 2^nd , 3^rd and 4^th Kalum Guards units being established on the planet to even further reinforce the defenses. As part of the reconstruction, the local mortals were relocated into the "Victorium" hab dome, which was built in order to protect them from threats and ensure a constant flow of arms and munitions to the chapter if an extended period of isolation were to occur again.

The effects this had on the chapter cannot be understated. This event shook the chapter to its still very early foundations, this matured the chapter. As a result, the Bears began their tradition of recording damn near everything that occurred to ensure that the chapter would never be corrupted or lose its history to great casualties, also they would always remember its humbling as a chapter.

Reconstruction of Kalus Stronghold

The fortress-monastery of the Bears was nearly leveled due to the 20 years of intense combat. So it was rebuilt 20% larger than before with support from Imperial fist Techmarines to even further fortify the fortress, now spanning much of the Jane plateau. Luckily the armory of the original stronghold survived the battle so it and its contents were relocated to the heart of the fortress-monastery and deep underground so the chapter's precious wargear could not be threatened again. The chapter fashioned a great pillar of marble from the remains of the chapel. Each lost battle-brother's name was etched into the pillar, and it received the nickname "The Pillar of the Lost".

Origo Blockade 701.M36-711.M36

The Bears of Kalum received the call to reinforce the blockade over Origo. The chapter heeded the call by sending the 4^th company along with the Vanguard-class Light Cruiser Jane's Strength. This support lasted until the end of the conflict in 711.M36.

5^th Black Crusade

In 723.M36 Abaddon the Despoiler launched his [[w:c:warhammer40k:5^th _Black_Crusade|5^th Black Crusade]]. In response the entire chapter deployed with most of the chapter in the Gothic sector with the exception of the 8^th company was sent to Tarinth to support the Harakoni Warhawks and Venerators Chapter. They were completely wiped out along with the two chapters. Only minor engagements were recorded from the main force, mostly that of chaos cultists uprisings.

The Great "Damned" Crusade

In 738.M36 the Storm of the Emperors' Wrath suddenly and violently expanded over Kalum once more. Though the Bears of Kalum had prepared for another possibility of a "Damned" crusade, they were not prepared to deal with the sheer onslaught that would rain down on them. It began with a horde of Khorne daemons and a warband of Chaos space marines assaulting Victorium. This siege was led by a Bloodthirster, which single handily wiped out the 4^th Kalum Guard. As the siege wore on it became very clear that the straight passages of the hab dome were working to the benefit of the invaders, this causing units far in the rear to receive devastating fire from the front lines. 41 years of brutally intense fighting dragged on costing 278 Marines lives. The Bears broke this siege with a very risky raid on a Bloodthirster. This action was led by the chapter master at the time "Rodrian Moralen" and the 1^st and 4^th companies along with the dreadnought "Lazrim". They were successful but at the cost of 100 marines and the mortal wounding of the chapter master, he died of his injuries about 1 month later attempting to lead the initial defense against the fortress-monastery.

Siege of Kalus Stronghold

Eventually, the chaos warband gave up trying to talk over the hab dome as they saw it as not worth the time. This drew them to the fortress-monastery, this siege would last 227 years alone. This cost the lives of 468 Marines. The first of these casualties was the chapter master which greatly hurt chapter morale. Another notable event of the two-hundred year-long siege was the assault on the chapel. This saw a band of around 150 Chaos Space Marines try and capture and or kill the dreadnoughts that they thought were sleeping. This saw the massacre of the invading force at the hands of Lazrim, "Jane", "Omega" and "Feler". Sadly Feler was irreparably damaged and given the Emperor's Mercy. The prolonged siege was only relieved by the sacrifice of half the 1^st company killing the leader of the army and the subsequent counterattack driving away the horde, buying the chapter precious time to regroup and reorganize. This reorganization saw the remains of the chapter organized into the 1^st Enduring company.

After the siege of Kalus' stronghold the broken Kalum would suffer another 240 years of sporadic fighting with a number of chaos daemons still roaming the planet and around a company's worth of chaos marines. What was left of the chaos assembly organized and led a final assault on the Bears of Kalum. They assaulted the fortress-monastery all at one point, overwhelming the defenders in that sector. They would've been completely annihilated if not for the 1^st through 3^rd Kalum Guards delaying the daemon swarm. Along with the timely contraction of the storm and subsequent arrival of the Excoriators Chapter coming to the aid of their brothers. The Bears of Kalum managed to barely avoid total destruction with a grand total of 846 marines being killed throughout the 550 years of war.

Second Rebuilding

From 692.M38 to 688.M40 the chapter began once again on its path to full strength. The manpower aside from recruiting was assisted by the Imperial fists, and the Excoriators as they gave a number of marines including veterans to aid the chapter. Along with the Munitorum raising 20 Guard units to be deployed throughout the world. While the monastery was being rebuilt the chapter made the decision to relocate all core functions underground to avoid losing key functionality, with that they turned the above-ground citadel into a meat grinder.

The second phase of reconstruction began in 712.M38 saw the construction of half a dozen hab domes to build a ring around the fortress-monastery. Meaning the enemy would have to break through the hab domes first to assault the monastery. This also made the skies above the monastery a death wish to any airborne enemy forces due to the dome having large AAA batteries, and a few hosting orbital lasers. Also during this time, the chapter added a shade of black to the color scheme to show mourning for their lost brethren.

The Pillar of The Lost was filled by the time the siege of Kalus was over. As a result, the chapter built a parallel pillar next to the memorial to continue inscribing additional names of the fallen.

Bear's change in color scheme

Great Malagantine Purge

From 770.M38 to 791.M38 half of the 3^rd company, and elements of the 5^th were drawn away on a mission from the Inquisition. However, they were sworn to secrecy and rumors about what campaign they partook in are rife. It is said only the chapter master at the time knew all the details about their mission. It is heavily suspected that they were a part of the Great Malagantine Purge however due to the timelines matching up with chapter records depicting the 3^rd Company's strike cruiser being on "patrol" at the time.

10^th Black Crusade

In 001.M39 the 3^rd Company was dispatched to answer pleas for assistance from the Iron Hands on Medusa, they unfortunately only managed to get into a skirmish with the rearguard of the retreating black crusade.

Skirmish near Baztel III

In 159.M39 while patrolling the Brozyn-Primaris Sector the 3^rd Company spotted the "Valorous Vow" of the Black Templars, the vessel upon seeing the Bear's appeared and started fleeing "Kalum's Rage". This had caught 3^rd Company's Captain Alad Ortetros off guard, as while the chapter had a very tense relationship with the Black Templars wasn't one that of open hostility. The captain voxxed the light destroyer, to establish their mission in the area. After multiple unanswered hails the captain concluded the ship must be somehow under the control of pirates or more likely been boarded by chaos marines and being used as a trojan horse.

The captain issued a final warning that if left unanswered would result in the Valorous being considered an enemy of the Imperium. Upon this warning being unanswered the 1^st wing of thunderhawks nicknamed the Grace of Alad took off and were ordered to disable the engines of the destroyer. They were successfully able to cripple the engines, upon the sudden failure of their drivers the Valorous turned starboard with the remaining thrust to face the pursuing strike cruiser. When they were in range the Valorous launched its void torpedo which the Kalum's Rage dodged with the advanced warning from the thunder-hawks. This aggressive act enraged the captain he ordered the Marco cannons to burn out the void shields of the destroyer so they could counter-board the ship. The Valorous didn't take the beating lying down, of course, firing with all weapons trying to defend itself.

Upon the void shield collapsing around the Valorous the strike cruiser launched Caestus Assault Rams loaded with their best marines onboard, including the two terminator squads in the company. The assault group successfully boarded the vessel and began fighting its way to the bridge and engines. However, they noticed for one the rather scarce amount of crew and the fact that it didn't have the appearance of chaos cultists. This fact was relayed to Alad which thoroughly perplexed him, to find out himself he deployed along with his command squad to the vessel. When the group consisting of both terminator squads, a squad and the command squad breached the bridge they were not surprisingly fired upon instantly. However instead of firing back the captain started shouting to the defenders to identify themselves a move that confused them greatly. The bolter fire ceased out of the apparent confusion.

"I am the Initiate Rudolf Elric!" The Black Templar shouted back.

The captain now realizing his grievous error, yelled back to the initiate, "By Dorn's hand I am Alad Ortetros, captain of the 3^rd Company of the Bears of Kalum. Hold your fire so we may figure out this unfortunate blunder."

The initiate agreed with some hesitance. According to the Black Templar they had been caught in a warp storm and their vox hailer had been destroyed along with most of the crew. The captain acknowledged his grave error and begrudgingly offered their assistance in repairing the vessel. The Black Templars refused out of pride. This incident gravely wounded relations between the two chapters, with the Black Templars refusing the work with the Bears under any circumstances from this point onward.

Draxian Incursion

In 617.M40 like a fair amount of the chapter's missions, was doing the dirty work of the Inquisition. This mission was also expunged, this time however not even the Bear's reputation for record-keeping could be kept whole. All that is known by the chapter is that the chapter was involved in some fashion.

Vidium's Defense

In 675.M40 the hive world of Vidium was subject to a raid by the Dark Eldar, in response three-quarters of the 4^th Company along with several Scout Marine squads and 4 tactical squads from the 2^nd Company were sent to aid the world. The subsequent last stand would be one of the worst single losses for the Bears of Kalum. As it turned out the Dark Eldar outnumbered the force by 19-1. The overwhelming odds pushed the contingent to its limits and by 676.M40 they had only survived by leading a guerrilla warfare campaign to not be completely annihilated. Growing tired of the drawn-out raid the Dark Eldar started orbitally bombarding the planet into submission. This threatening situation resulted in the marines rallying at what remained of the capital hive city trying to take as many Dark Eldar with them as possible. The Dark Eldar were sent the following message by the captain of the 4^th Company.

"We shall not surrender to your foul race. We would rather die than be subjected to the horrors that would await us. If you want a rare showing of true combat we shall show you. Unless that is, you detestable xenos can be outdone by messy humans."

— Katas Cortucho 4^th Company Captain

The resulting last stand lasted an impressive 17 days of carnage. With the area, the Bears choose to fortify being all but erased. The remembrancer of the command squad "Rogito Rodreder" after witnessing the captains speech was instructed to hide so their deeds may be not forgotten he was sent along with the apothecary of the squad with as many gene-seed as he could carry. They hid deep in the under hive until the Dark Eldar left, upon which they waited 1 year to be reunited with the chapter after an investigation was launched by the chapter sending the 1^st, 3^rd, what remained of the 4^th-7^th companies were sent to the world to recover their lost.

Second Abonian Genocide

In 688.M40 Inquisitor Halan Jentz declared the entire population of the Abonian Sub-Sector Diabolos Inculcatus. The Bears of Kalum were called in, to assist with the genocide. Aided by the War Bearers, Red Hunters and Subjugators chapters. The 3^rd and 4^th companies carried out hundreds of cleansings across the Sub-Sector, this lasted until 698.M40 when the Inquisitor was satisfied. This furthered the chapter's reputation for acting out the Inquisition's genocidal tendencies, this amplified their feared reputation by their local Imperial governors, ministers and warlords.

Gothic War

From 140.M41 to 142.M41 as a result of local warm storms appearing across the Gothic Sector and the ensuing disruptions and religious fanaticism springing up, the Bears dispatched the 6^th Company across the northern part of the Gothic Sector to put down the unrest. It had succeeded on the dozen worlds it had been spread out amongst, however, when it became clear that the 12^th Black Crusade was going to ravage the Gothic Sector the 6^th Company upon failure to contact Kalum for reinforcements realized it was on its own.

Rallying on their Strike Cruiser Fury they had contacted the battlegroup near Orar, and they joined the fleet as it was preparing to break orbit. Suddenly when a chaos warfleet entered the system and launched its torpedoes against the Imperial fleet, the Fury joined the ensuing route of the warfleet scoring kills on 2 escorts. The Fury and the 6^th Company stuck with this battlegroup for the rest of the war undergoing many battles, and scoring a number of kills to its record with the 6^th Company becoming rapidly very battle-hardened and by using techniques taught to them by the 3^rd Company to ravage the heretic fleets.

2^nd "Damned" Crusade

In 142.M41, all but the 6^th Company of the Bears of Kalum had been cut off once again by the Storm of the Emperor's Wrath. The Bears had put in a substantial amount of resources since the Great "Damned" crusade to bolster the planet's defenses, these came in handy when the first wave of daemons and World Eaters assaulted the world. Unlike the previous "Damned" crusade, however, the Bears had expanded their Fortress Monastery to link up with the now half dozen hab domes on the planet. Not to mention the Bears had personally constructed the domes to be damn near impossible to capture, even by the standards of the Iron Warriors. The first wave of chaos forces was all but wiped out in quick succession, with the Opel defensive line linking the hab domes to each other being barely scratched.

The Siege of Kalus stronghold

The second wave 3 years later was more of a challenge. With the horde of daemons approaching 100,000 and around 500 chaos marines leading them. Unlike the first assault the chaos force didn't attack several targets but choose one, the hab dome of "Alpheradon". Half of the Bears' 2^nd Company along with the 5^th and a dreadnought of the 4^th, responded in force. This brutal defense lasted 5 years, with around 78 marines perishing in the city's defense with the 5^th Company suffering the most. With the assault on Alpheradon stalling the chaos army choose to switch targets and assault the ancient dome of "Victorium". The force protecting Alpheradon quickly made use of the tunnel network to mobilize to Victorium they were supported by the elements of the 4^th Company and a squad from of the veteran 1^st Company. However, this was a feigned siege the real target was the Kalus Stronghold. This deceiving strategy worked at first with the Jane line of the Monastery being breached by a force of World Eaters. They might've breached the Alad line if not for 4 squads of the 1^st company deploying to counterattack. The force sent to Victorium had returned to the Stronghold by this time, and the following attacks on the monastery were completely crushed. Realizing their siege was going nowhere fast the Chaos Champion leading the Chaos army came to the conclusion that no amount of besieging would crack this fortress without the aid of Iron Warriors. So he decided that while they may not be able to destroy the fortress they could hopefully destroy the chapter by killing the chain of command with one brutal strike.

So 10 years after the Second "Damned" crusade began the entire force of Chaos Space Marines numbering around 300 at this time drop podded into the heart of the fortress in an attempt to assassinate the chapter master and hopefully kill most of the Veteran marines. The goal being of weakening morale and decapitate the senior leadership. This may have succeeded in some other chapter but not the Bears of Kalum. As the drop pods that survived the landing crashed into the fortress the marines of Kalum were ready for them. The forces of chaos did not understand this chapter, the fortress-monastery while impressive on the outside was, in reality, a giant slaughterhouse. Most of the core functionality of the monastery was deep underground to avoid destruction. The entire above-ground section was dedicated traps, defensive choke-points and dead-ends. Most of the chaos marines were massacred by the traps and defensive choke points designed to kill any intruder.

Only the chaos champion leading the assault made it anywhere. He brutalized 2 squads of the 2^nd Company along with a platoon of the 15^th Kalum Guard, before making it to the "main" hall of the monastery. This is where the Chapter Master "Val Luxetrius" and the entirety of the "Bear's Patience" were waiting for him. Supporting them were 2 venerable dreadnoughts of the 1^st Company, that had survived the Great "Damned" Crusade. Realizing the trap the chaos champion requested a dual with the chapter master. Val accepted, wanting the end this with his own hands to avenge the battle brothers he had lost to this traitor. The Bears surrounded the champion creating a circle to ensure he would not escape. The chapter master stepped forth wielding the ancient power sword the Bane of Heresy, the power weapon sprung to life with the activation of its power rune. The Champion brandished his daemonic sword and thus began the dual. The champion's raw power was evident enough as the walls began to crack with the power of his strikes, but he was far outclassed in swordsmanship by the chapter master; Who has disarmed him in less than 5 minutes. The champion enraged began firing his wrist-mounted storm bolter at the chapter master only to find them evaporated by the chapter master's Iron Halo. Seeking to end this charade Val rushed the champion and slew him through the heart. This mortally wounding the traitor, he fell to his knees only to find the blade seeking his head.

With the death of the chaos champion, the daemonic assault on the Alad line of the fortress ceased. The clean-up operation to rid Kalum of the daemonic filth was brutal and thorough with the chapter leaving no rock unturned. By 150.M41 when the warp storm obscuring the skies of Kalum had receded, the world has been cleansed of all chaos.

The War Rages On

In 150.M41 Kalum reemerged from the Storm of the Emperor's Wrath and deployed in near full force to purge the sector of chaos. They soon learned of the 6^th Company's survival and exploits, which would lead the 6^th Company to gain the nickname "Void Terrors". The chapter took to ensuring the scouring of the region so no heresy would remain.

3^rd Rebuilding

After the Gothic War, the chapter had to rebuild its numbers once again as 2 companies worth of marines had died in the fighting. In this rebuilding phase, the chapter further reinforced the fortress-monastery in areas found weak during the "Damned" crusade. This also saw the construction of the two "Damned" forts along the valleys approaching the Jane plateau. Also, the 6^th Company was honored with squads worth of Terminator Armor the chapter had received as rewards for their valiant defense of the sector. This period of reconstruction would last till 235.M41, the prolonged time mostly due to the establishment of the 21^st to 36^th Kalum Guards units to further increase the density of troops along the vast defensive lines.

Macharian Crusade

In 392.M41 the chapter heeded the call of Lord Commander Solar Macharius to expand the Imperium's borders, as a result, the chapter dispatched the 3^rd company, which acted as a reinforcing agent if the Lord Solar's force ran into something they could not defeat in the void without further Astartes support. To say the 3^rd Company didn't accomplish much during the crusade is an understatement. They were mostly relegated to anti-piracy duties far in the rear. This lasted until 399.M41

Macharian Heresy

After Lord Solar's untimely death in 400.M41 and the resulting heresy the 3^rd Company joined the Minotaurs space marine chapter in scouring the sector of heresy and traitors. They formed an unlikely bond with the brutal chapter, so much so, that the Minotaurs even came to almost respect the 3^rd Company after 70 years of cooperation.

3^rd "Damned" Crusade

After the 3^rd Company's return in 472.M41 as the chapter was preparing to launch a crusade of its own into the far northern reaches of Segmentum Obscurus. However, two years before the chapter was set to launch its grand crusade against the darkest in 474.M41 the Storm of the Emperor's Wrath wrought its terrible hordes upon Kalum once more.

The Bears, however, were used to this Storm's annoying outbursts, and while to the Imperium the chapter vanished for 400 years for the chapter, barely a couple of years had passed. This, however, was not an uneventful 2 years as Khorne had sent yet another army of Daemons to conquer the world. They would, of course, fail, but not before destroying the "Belum" hab dome.

4^th Rebuilding

The chapter emerged in 834.M41 and restarted the construction of Belum once more. A notable event during the rebuilding was the reward to the chapter of a rare Contemptor Pattern Dreadnought for their millennium's worth of service to the Emperor and specifically against the forces of chaos. It was given to them by the Imperial Fists, this was also suspected to be because of an Inquisitional request to further arm the chapter for their assistance in the Macharian Heresy.

Krandor III Massacre

In 853.M41 a massive chaos-led rebellion rose up on Krandor III. Such an act so close to the Bears' homeworld could not be tolerated. They immediately dispatched the 1^st, 3^rd and 5^th companies to put down the rebellion. However upon discovering the sheer breadth of the corruption the world was deemed unrecoverable and subject to Exterminatus by the chapter master "Jane Seviegrim". This blemish on the chapter's history is only known by their closest allies and the likes of the Inquisition.

Molov Massacre

In 913.M41 at the behest of the Inquisition the chapter's 1^st Company deployed to Molov, to put down a slave revolt. However, the slaves turned out to be infected by some genetic disease. This disease spread rapidly forcing the chapter to slaughter the slave population and large parts of the mortal population to prevent the spread of the disease. These actions would be almost instantly censored by the Inquisition.

Nysairene Delta Rebellion

From 938.M41 to 989.M41 the Bears' 4^th and 5^th companies would fight against a brutal guerrilla campaign, led by a rather intelligent local warlord. After the Battle of Ornate Ridge, the chapter brought in the 1^st Company to end the rebellion in an act of revenge.

Battle of Ornate Ridge

In 988.M41 on a ridge line falling into a great canyon 2 squads of marines from the 5^th Company were moving to a rally point to raid and destroy a rebel camp, however, they were ambushed on the ridge which led to a 4-day long battle against three entire regiments worth of rebel troops. This battle would see the 20 marines hold out until elements of the 4^th Company relieved them. They lost 17 marines to the foul rebels mostly to their Leman Russ Executioner tanks, as a result of this the 1^st Company was deployed the the planet to crush the rebellion to avenge their brothers. The names of each brother would incribed upon the power armour of the 5^th Company's Lieutenant.

4^th "Damned" Crusade

In 999.M41 as it became clear the 13^th Black Crusade was beginning the chapter began to mobilize to if possible to aid Cadia, but they were preparing for the likely surge in the Storm of the Emperor's Wrath. Their preparation came to great use when the warp storm swept over them. Once again chaos roamed the grand forests of Kalum. Again the chapter would have to defend itself from the chaos threat. But they were prepared.

The onslaught began shortly after the storm's enlargement, at this point usual wave of daemons swarmed the hab domes surrounding the fortress-monastery and once more the chapter held the line. This time however the Iron Warriors decided they would crack the mighty fortress of Kalum. The clash was deadly beyond belief, to the Iron Warriors it must've seemed like the battle of the Iron Cage all over. Only they were the besiegers. The Bears and their guard regiments held fast with a determination of the likes of Cadia, the sheer fanaticism the defenders had towards defending their home was a sight to behold. The siege lasted some 16 years with the hab domes of "Balum" and "Alpheradon" being all but destroyed. What halted the Iron warriors was Kalus Stronghold. Even though they breach the outer lines, and began slowly clearing the above-ground part of the main citadel, they were not prepared for the ferocious counterattack that followed. As most of the Iron warriors were storming the citadel the 1^st, 3^rd and 9^th companies along with the Contemptor dreadnoughts 'Romix' and 'Toranz', and the venerable dreadnought 'Lazrim', used the tunnel network to come up behind the traitor marines and kill them to a man. This momentum was used to push back the forces of chaos to the hab dome perimeter.

Era Indomitus

In 011.M42 the warp storm weakened allowing the Bears of Kalum to aid the Imperium. However, the Bears were horrified to learn that they were cut off from the wider Imperium still as the Great Rift blocked the Astronomican, their Astropaths nearly died from the volume of distress calls ringing out throughout the warp. The Bears swore to defend the Imperium, and do that they would. However, it took them a full year to reach the nearest Imperial star system and by that time it had been lost to chaos. The chapter master would declare Exterminatus upon the world to cleanse it of corruption.

Stygius Crusade and Iron Crusade Early M42

When the Bear's first learned of Teezntch's assault on the Stygius Sector, they mustered what was left of the 3^rd 6^th and 8th^th companies into the 2^nd Enduring Company to join the crusade to free the system from chaos invasion. The force helped the initial push despite the small size of the force, however, when the crusade began to pull out of the sector, the Bear's like their cousin chapters refused to withdraw and anchored around Mordian. They aided in the other chapters in halting the chaotic ritual. As of now the 2^nd Enduring company is assaulting the orbital shipyards of Kharvos.

Notable Campaigns

The Great "Damned" Crusade

The Bears endured an extended time under the cover of a warp storm. Which lasted around 2 millennia, however, because the warp affects time itself the chapter experienced only 500 years of time passage. During this time the chapter saw horrible losses during the siege of Victorium, and later and even more severe the siege of Kalus Stronghold. The 2 notable events were the killings of a Bloodthirstier and the Chaos Champion leading the siege.

Skirmish over Baztel III

This void skirmish was between the Bears and the Black Templars. After the Templar's ship had suffered damage in a warp storm they were unable to receive the voxes of the Bears' strike cruiser, this caused Captain Alad Ortetros of the 3^rd Company to suspect the ship had been taken over by chaos. He then fired upon the ship and boarded it. Only to find the Black Templars. This embarrassment caused the chapter master at the time to step down and join the Deathwatch and completely doomed the recovery of the two chapters' relationship improving.

Vidiums Defense

A large contingent of 110 Astartes of the 2^nd and 4^th companies were sent to the hive world of Vidium to aid against a Dark Eldar raid. Upon realizing they were extremely outnumbered, the force carried out a campaign of guerrilla warfare throughout the dense hives of the world. The Dark Eldar however were not fond of the drawn-out war and started orbitally bombarding the world. This caused the contingent's leader, Captain "Landmund Romarniel", to send a provocative message to the enemy which then saw a 17-day final battle which nearly leveled the section of the hive the marines had fortified. The marines were wiped out to a man.

Chapter Home World

Hab Domes

The cities of Kalum are not built to Imperial standards by design, they are instead built in a similar layout to Cadia's hive cities with one primary divergence they are substantially oversized for their population. Where Victorium is the size of a smaller city it has maybe half of the population. This is because the domes have much thicker walls between different sections of the city, and especially the outside. This choice was to create the illusion of a juicy target when in fact the domes are bait for assault. The main standout of these cities is that they are in-cased in thick rockcrete and adamantium shells to defend from orbital bombardment and to create emplacements for anti-aircraft artillery, anti-tank and orbital lasers.

Damned Forts

During the 2^nd "Damned" crusade the forces of chaos would often skirt around the edge of the Apollo mountain range. To prevent this during the 3^rd Rebuilding the "Damned" forts were built on the tips of protrusions of the range to prevent invaders from using these passages again. They are substantially sized forts containing several regiments of Guards and a squad of the 2^nd Company each.

Fortress-Monastery

The Kalus Stronghold in its earliest iteration was a modest fortress atop the Jane plateau a rocky formation surrounded by grand forests. However over the years and after every "Damned" crusade the monastery was expanded. The largest being after the Great "Damned" Crusade. All core functions of the monastery were moved deep underground and a tunnel network was built to the hab domes to expedite rapid deployment. This deeper fortress, in its own right, is protected by numerous layers of defense with only 3 entrances into the inner sanctums. All of which are guarded 24/7 by members of the 2^nd Company. At current, the monastery is approaching 50 square kilometers of land covered by the fortress above-ground, with the underground segment nearing 75 square kilometers of floor space over multiple levels.

The armory and chapel in the inner sanctum is perhaps one of the most defended places within 200 light years. With dozens of heavy bolter, plasma and melta turrets lined throughout the grand hall approaching the 2. With a squad of 2^nd company always guarding the hall.

Kalus Stronghold and local area

Chapter Organization

Officer Ranks

• Chapter Master
• Captain - Senior officer that commands a Battle company.
• Lieutenant - Junior officer assigned command of a reserve company.

Hammer of Kalum

Specialist Ranks

• Reclusiarch
• Bear's Claw - (Chaplain equivalent.
• Chief Apothecary
• Apothecary
• Chief Librarian
• Chapter Librarian
• Hammer of Kalum - Chapter Champion equivalent.

Line Ranks

• Veteran Bear - Veteran Sergeant equivalent.
• Remembrancer Marine - Veteran Tactical marine.
• Bear - Tactical Marine equivalent.
• Bear Paw - Devastator Marine equivalent.
• Claw - Assault Marine equivalent.
• Cub - Scout Marine equivalent.
• Seed - Recruits before becoming scouts.

Specialist Units & Formations

• The Remembrancer Marine - A dedicated Veteran to documenting a squad's actions and battles.
• The Enduring Company - A desperate formation of the chapter when its under 20% strength, where all remaining battle-brothers are grouped under one company. It also is used when several companies are severely under-strength.
• The Bear Claw - This is the name for the chapter's Chaplain. The Chaplain is honored by being given a suit of terminator armour with custom lightning claws. The post is chosen by the most spiritually and mentally fortified members of the Bear's Patience.
• Hammer of Kalum - Effectively the Chapter Champion. This warrior is the most formidable in combat, with the only potential exception being the chapter master.

Order of Battle

Headquarters

Current members of the chapter command squad.

• Chapter Master - Jane Seviegrim
• Bear's Claw- Koral Kalus
• Chapter Liberian - Jega Miraelus
• Chief Apothecary - Fernico Demetega
• Hammer of Kalum- Ades Luxandon
• Chief Remembrancer - Gomrim Sollolpho

Companies

The Bears of Kalum is a Codex-compliant chapter in terms of number of companies. As such, the chapter tries to maintain 10 companies of Space Marines. However, the chapter is often under-strength so this is frequently not a possibility, to circumvent this the chapter master "Pertorn Jaegias" in M36 created the temporary formation called an "Enduring Company". This formation is only used in desperate situations, it was first used in the Great "Damned" Crusade. However, this is what the standard layout of the chapter is.

1^st Company Terminator

• First Company ('Sword') - Upon being selected to be a member of the Sword company a marine is taken out into the forests of Kalum and much alike the initiation ceremony which ascended the marine onto brotherhood. Except for that time the marine had to defeat a Kalum bear in unarmed combat without slaying the beast, this time the marine must dodge the Bears' assault for 2 hours. When completed the marine must kill the bear with one strike, if he fails he disgraced, and shall take up the role of cleansing the forests near the fortress-monastery for 5 years only then may he take the trial again. If a marine successfully passes this trial the bear shall be skinned and the fur used to fashion his cape. An even more honored group is the "Bear's Patience". It refers to the most veteran and experienced members of the chapter that are equipped with terminator armour. Current commander is Captain Justoro Alvachix.
  • The first company is split into 4 terminator Squads and 8 veteran space marine squads.
• Second Company ('Jane's Guard') - The Second Company's primary duty is to defend the Janes plateau and surrounding mountain ranges. The reason being after the First "Damned" crusade the plateaus defensive potential needed to be exploited to its fullest, thus this company is filled with the most defensively minded marines. This resulted in the Marines gaining a respected reputation amongst the chapter and even among the Imperial Fists. Their defensive capabilities are often called upon during crusades. Current commander is Captain Hargorn Torizer.
• Third Company ('Storms Wrath') - The Third Company specializes in void warfare, thus their ironic nickname. Their exploits are rather legendary in the gothic sector, they are often the first to engage the foe in a conflict with their boarding assaults being the work of genius. The 'Storm' terminator squad that leads the company, headed by the company captain is nearly always leading the assault. The company drives its seemingly neverending patrols on the Strike Cruiser Kalum's Rage. The current commander is Captain Baldro Delgelhito.
  • The company originally only had 1 terminator squad but another was gifted another squad worth during the 1^st rebuilding for their valiant service in the Deathwatch during the 1^st "Damned" Crusade.

3^rd Company Terminator

3^rd Company Marine

• Fourth Company ('Rodrian's Shield') - The final battle-hardened company is a more flexible force, it does all the duties that are demanded of it. However, its most sacred duty is to the training and deploy with the tenth company to ensure the chapter's future. With this duty in mind, the chapter contains 2 terminator squads to defend the scouts with their lives. The current commander is Captain Sollo Mironer.
• Fifth Company - The first of the reserve companies is rather standard in their operation, the company however has a unfortunate history of heavy losses throughout the eras. The current commander is Lieutenant Rodrmund Arnuiteus.
• Sixth Company ('Void Terrors') - The second Reserve Company is rather unorthodox as it has acquired an aptitude to void warfare during their separation from the chapter during the Gothic War. Because of this the company often is sent with the 3^rd Company to dominate the void in campaigns and patrols. So in reality it acts more as a battle company than a reserve, also the company as a part of their rewards for their valiant defense in the Gothic War was gifted a squad of terminator armour. The current Lieutenant is Lycos Dostiaz.
• Seventh Company - The 3^rd reserve company is the heavy weapons arm of the chapter being made of mostly devastator squads. Thus they are often never assembled in full and squads are detached and sent with other companies. Current commander is Lieutenant Lysus Katalanz.
• Eighth Company - The fourth reserve company is often made up of a higher amount of tech marines, they are often used as an engineering company, aiding the 2^nd Company in its defensive warfare. They were also completely wiped out during the 5^th Black Crusade. The current commander is Lieutenant Luxro Ahmatros.
• Ninth Company - The final reserve company, the 9^th is often relegated to less intense assignments as it's often made of newer battle brothers. Because of this the 4^th Company pays special attention to the 9^th and makes sure it can be in range to assist them if needed. The current commander is Lieutenant Darnrad Noruchos.
• Tenth Company - The scouting company is as 'normal' as the companies get being almost entirely a carbon copy of the Codex standard. The only divergence is the 4^th Company's role as guardians of the 10^th.

Combat Doctrine

Defensive

The Bears of Kalum believe in their own doctrine named "Rigid Flow". This doctrine follows the principles of defense in depth with vast layers of defensive lines, but with the ideals of flexible defense, with the static lines forming hardpoints spread out with rapid reaction forces in waiting but with multiple layers of hardpoints, forming a checker board pattern. The rear-reaction force (RRF) then uses tunnels or thunder hawks to rapidly deploy to any hard point under serious threat.

Offensive

The Bears use a myriad of tactics to accomplish their goals, but by a fair amount, the most prevalent tactic is the concentrated drop pod assault, where a force will launch a precision orbital strike in a cluster. Once they touch down, the Astartes will form a perimeter for reinforcements to land and overwhelm the enemy. For void warfare the likes of the 3^rd Company make excellent use of the shield wall, with the ships often cramped corridors this tactic brings them great success.

Chapter Culture & Beliefs

The Bears of Kalum, while similar to the Imperial Fists in their staunch sense of duty, instead, direct this sense of duty less towards the wider Imperium and instead to the Gothic Sector and nearby sectors. They take great pride in being given the duty to defend the area, the chapter master will often refuse requests to do missions away from their local area of space. With exceptions to direct orders from the Lords of Terra of course, but with the Inquisition valuing their ability to lock down the area against rebellion and more than willing to get their hands dirty for them they rarely leave Segmentum Obscurus.

Remembrance

Another large part of the chapter culture is the chapter's almost obsession with record keeping, to the point that the chapter created the "Remembrancer" marine and each squad has one to document the occurrences of their battles. They are 2^nd in command of the squad as they are usually picked from members of the 4^th Company along with Veteran sergeants. They are so important to the chapter they assign them nearly the same importance as retrieving gene-seed from fallen brothers. To the point that during the Vidium defense the chapter returned 1 year later with three-quarters of the chapters might recover any Remembrancers, their documents and gene seeds if any remained.

Kalum Grand Red Bear

The chapter's single biggest influence however is the Kalum Grand Red Bear. This imposing creature is the largest form of wildlife in the Kalum system, this 14-foot-tall predator left such an impression on the early elements of the chapter they based the chapter entirely on it. This goliath is able to kill a space marine if given even the chance. Thus the bear's used in 2 chapter rituals and is an object of reflection within the chapter. Anytime a marine sees one while out on patrol or near hab domes or fortress-monastery, the chapter uses it to pause and reflect; This moment of reflection/ mediation is said to create clarity in the marine, to give patience and to instil modesty. This practice later evolved into a mass-like service led by the Bear's Claw every morning at sunrise, this service to is said to be one of the reasons why the Bears of Kalum have retained their humanity.

It is taught to Cubs of the chapter that reminding oneself of their mortal origins is a weapon. To have the modesty of a mortal is a useful tool, as you will not underestimate your enemy no matter how weak. It also humbles the marines, so that no matter how powerful they may be, they were always once human. It is speculated by members of the Inquisition that this is a major reason why the Bears can stave off the corruption of chaos so well.

As the Imperium has already been worshipping the Emperor as a deity for 3 millennia by the time of the chapters founding, the chapter was already used to the state worship of him. This however did not translate into them believing in this. This, of course, is never openly stated but it is another reason why the chapter dislikes and has friction with the Black Templars.

Chapter Recruitment

The chapter recruits from not only Kalum itself but numerous local worlds. They pick from the strongest of locals and send them through several trials.

1. The first trial - This trial is relatively simple. The "seeds" are dropped off 550 kilometers from the fortress monastery, on the 1^st day of the harsh Kalum winters and must arrive at the monastery alive by spring. Failure of course being dying or not meeting the deadline any failures that live are collected and serve the local Kalum Guards to not waste manpower
2. The second trial - After the seeds arrive, their injuries are seen too and they are allowed 1 day of rest before they are given the exam. This exam tests the seeds ability to think ahead, and patience. Their is no time limit to this test, however the seeds are not allowed to be feed during the exam so effectively the limit is 10-30 days depending on the individual.
3. The third trial - This trial is what defines who becomes a Cub. The seeds are brought out to the peaks of the nearby Apollo mountain range and are grouped into 3's and told to find a nearby outpost and report back what they see. Standards for passing are obviously finding the outpost, giving accurate description of the layout, and approx strength of the forces garrisoning it. If they pass they become a Cub and join the 10th company. If they fail they are given to the 7^th Kalum Guards which is a scouting focused unit for 1 year. If they pass all 3 trials again they may join the Cubs
4. The Ritual - The final trial is after the Cub is deemed ready by members of the 4^th company. The are stripped to there sash and brought out into the Grand forests surrounding Kalus stronghold, along with the member of the 4^th company who recommended them and a Veteran of the 1^st company. They alone must find a locate a Kalum Red Bear, when they have done this they must take their moment of reflection. After this the Veteran of the 1^st company will inform the Cub he must defeat the Bear in combat without killing the beast. If he succeeds he must mark the day he ascended to become a fellow battle brother on his helmet. If he fails and kills the Bear he is punished, this can vary depending on the chapters circumstances. But the worst case is becoming a chapter servitor. The best case is becoming the Bear's Claw's personal servant to learn the ways of the chapter, he may be able to try again depending if he does well. If the seed is killed by the Bear he is written off as not worthy of the position. If he mortally wounded he is healed and become a chapter serf.

Deathwatch Service

The 3^rd Company did a 300 year service as to them their chapter has all but vanished from reality. The chapter also every 50 years rotates 1 Veteran squad from the 1^st Company to widen their experience even further. Under this, they technically have 11 Veteran squads but 1 is at all times serving the Deathwatch.

Chapter Gene-Seed

According to Imperial records the chapter's gene seed originated from the Fists Exemplar, and the chapter does not openly dispute this fact. However, their highest echelons do doubt the validity of that claim as the more senior members of the chapter have begun showing mutations like limp jaws, tremors of the limbs and a waking nightmare they cannot describe too well. The higher-ups of the chapter have their suspicions that it may in fact be the Excoriators chapter, as when a Captain of the chapter accidentally discovered these aliments shortly thereafter the Excoriators chapter supplied massive amount of material, battle brothers, veterans and even rare relics. This odd behaviour was only compounded when several members of the Excoriators were seen to have slacked jaws and very minor tremors over the many years of working together during the 2^nd Rebuilding. The theory that the Excoriators are their true gene sires is still a theory among the elites, however.

Notable Members

• Jane Seviegrim - The current Chapter Master of the Bears of Kalum, Jane Seviegrim is the longest-serving chapter master. He was promoted to the position shortly before the Macharian Crusade. His accomplishments include the defense of Kalum for the last two "Damned" crusades, the ending of the Nysairene Delta Rebellion, and the destruction of a Genestealers cult. He wields the power sword Bane of Heresy, along with a wrist-mounted storm bolter. He wears the chapter relic Bear's Head, an ancient Cataphractii Pattern Tactical Dreadnought Armour. A Kalum Red Bear's head is mounted atop his armour as a sign of his leadership. His rather old age leaves him with a more tactical and strategic role on the battlefield. While he will still gladly lead the chapter into battle his senior officers often try to persuade him otherwise, his venerable knowledge of defensive warfare and logistics is of great asset to the chapter.

• Venerable Dreadnought Lazrim - This ancient Dreadnought is by far the oldest member of the chapter. It is said that Lazrim was one of the original Marine of the Bears of Kalum, who was gravely wounded during the 1^st "Damned" crusade. This would make him 8 millennia old as of M42. His accomplishments are vast and his tales of battle lengthy, he often gives tales of 'the Great' and 2^nd "Damned" crusades when awoken. Because of his sheer age he is not often awoken to preserve his sanity and his great knowledge, as a result of this he is, for the most part, still sane. His counsel is considered near-holy level of reverence. His near-ancient weaponry brings great firepower to the battlefield when called upon.

Chapter Fleet

Known Vessels:

• Wrath of the Storm (Battle Barge)
  • Used by the 1^st, 2^nd and 4^th companies
• Imperial Fury (Battle Barge)
  • Used by the reserve companies for planetary assault
• Kalum's Rage (Strike Cruiser)
  • The 3^rd Company's primary vessel.
• Fury (Strike Cruiser)
  • Used by the 6^th Company during the Gothic War.
• Jane's Strength (Vanguard-class Light Cruiser)
  • Used by the 4^th and 5^th companies during the Origo Blockade.

Chapter Relics

• Bane of Heresy (Relic Power Sword) - The power sword Bane of Heresy is wielded by the chapter master. This master-crafted relic weapon was given to the chapter as a gift from the Excoriators during the 2^nd Rebuilding along with their Veterans.

• Venerable Dreadnought Chassis - The Venerable Assault pattern Dreadnought "Lazrim" was a part of the founding of the chapter which has seen and fought in every "Damned" crusade. Armed on his left with a multi-melta, on his right a multi-barrelled autocannon.

Bear's Head along with Bane of Heretics.

• Bear's Head (Relic Cataphractii Terminator Armour) - Bear's Head is an ancient suit of relic Cataphractii Pattern Tactical Dreadnought Armour from the Great Crusade era. Rumors say the armour was worn by a captain of the Imperial Fists during the Great Crusade. A massive Kalum Red Bear's head is mounted atop this armour. This suit is also equipped with a wrist-mounted, master-crafted storm bolter.

Chapter Appearance

Chapter Colours

• The dark brownish red the chapter uses as its primary coat is directly inspired by the chapters name shake, the Red Bear of Kalum.
• The Dark Purple used by the 3^rd and on the right pauldron of the 6^th companies is a nod to their mastery of void warfare.
• The black shade became a common feature after the Great "Damned" crusade, to show a sense of loss among the chapter. This addition stuck around as newer members painted it as a show of remembrance and respect to their fore-bearers.

Chapter Badge

The white Bear of Kalum used in heraldry is meant to show purity of the chapter, especially after the 1^st "Damned" Crusade.

Relations

Allies

• Excoriators
• Minotaurs
• Inquisition

Strained

• Black Templars

Enemies

• Iron Warriors
• Followers of Khorne

Notable Quotes

By the Bears of Kalum

"We shall not surrender to your foul race. We would rather die than be subjected to the horrors that await us. If you want a rare showing of true combat we shall show you. Unless that is, you detestable xenos can be outdone by messy humans."

— Katas Cortucho, 4^th Company Captain, circa 676.M40

"Brothers. We know not what happens outside this storm, yes. However, we shall fight on as if Dorn himself is waiting to greet us after our victory. WE SHALL NOT FAIL HIM!"

— Bear's Claw Seval Domanduez during the Great "Damned" Crusade

About the Bears of Kalum

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