Black Mastodons

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Black Mastodons
Black Mastodons livery shield with Chapter iconography.
Black Mastodons Decaus (Sergeant) Maxelles Alexonian of the 4th Centuria (Company), 6th Hastati (Battleline Squad).
Space Marine Chapter
Allegiance	Imperium of Man (Fedelitas Constantus)
Founding	3rd Founding
Successor of	Imperial Fists (Rogal Dorn lineage)
Chapter Master	Legatus Torven Megamedes
Homeworld	Keres (Moon; Orbits the Chapter's recruitment world of Achlys.)
Fortress-Monastery	Castrum Invicta
Allies	Last Wall Chapters
Specialty	Siege Warfare, Stronghold Assaults, Line-Breaker Attacks ('Forlorn Hope' Objective Assaults), Co-ordinated Mass-Theatre Warfare, Armoured Assault, Heavy Infantry Assault, Attritional Warfare, Planetary Interdiction, 'Zone Mortalis' Engagements.
Battle Cry	"Hear our roar!" (Primary) Alternatively, "Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat!" (Translated from High Gothic: "Fortune favours the bold!"
Colours	Black, Purple & Silver
Successor Chapter(s)	None known.

The Black Mastodons are a grim and ancient Chapter of the Adeptus Astartes, forged in the crucible of the 3^rd Founding from the unyielding gene-line of the stoic Imperial Fists. Born in the shadow of the Horus Heresy, they emerged at the dawn of M32 as stoic paragons of siegecraft and attrition warfare, inheritors of Dorn's relentless doctrine and iron will. From the very beginning, the Black Mastodons developed a singular purpose - to crush resistance through overwhelming fortification and methodical destruction. In their eyes, each brother is a weapon, each life a calculated cost in the ledger of Imperial survival. They are not warriors who revel in victory, but executioners of inevitability - slow, unstoppable, and brutally efficient.

Throughout their long and bloodied history, the Black Mastodons have been called upon to break the unbreakable: xenos strongholds, heretic redoubts, and daemon-choked fortresses have all fallen beneath their sledgehammer tactics. They do not strike swiftly or with subtlety, but with the grinding inevitability of tectonic plates. Under their withering bombardments and siege engines, walls crumble, morale shatters, and even the most fanatical defenders are reduced to ash and silence. Yet their war does not end with conquest. Once victory is assured, the Black Mastodons entrench and rebuild, sealing each reclaimed world beneath layers of reinforced bastions, ferrocrete bulwarks, and vox-silenced watch-spires, making future rebellion an impossibility.

To some, the Black Mastodons are archaic, a relic of a bygone age when wars were measured in years and victories were earned inch by bloodied inch. But in a galaxy of eternal war, where Chaos claws ceaselessly at the Imperium's borders and alien hordes lay siege to Mankind’s crumbling bastions, there remains a desperate need for the Chapter's brand of grim resolve. They are the hammer that does not break, the wall that does not fall, the voice of the Emperor spoken in thunder and siege-fire. Where others falter or burn out in glorious fury, the Black Mastodons endure. They are not born to glory - they are born to endure, and in their enduring, the Imperium survives.

Chapter History

Imperial Fists Legionary Aikus Garados of the elite Phalanx Warders temporarily assigned to the 127^th Siege Company ('Black Mastodons'), 12^th Platoon, 5^th Breacher Assault Squad, during the latter years of the Great Crusade.

The heritage of the Black Mastodons Chapter is deeply rooted in their affiliation with their progenitors, the Imperial Fists, the paragons of siege warfare within the Adeptus Astartes. The Chapter's devotion to the art of breaking enemy fortifications and their mastery of strategic planning and brutal assaults embodies the core principles of their Primarch Rogal Dorn, the Praetorian of Terra. Garnering a reputation as consummate siege-masters and master strategists, the Black Mastodons have continued to fulfil their duty in service to the Emperor, tearing down the edifices of their foes and reconquering worlds in His name. Through their resilience, unyielding determination and sheer stubbornness, the Black Mastodons have continued to embody the spirit of their gene-sire and the legacy and traditions of their progenitors.

The origins of the Black Mastadons harken back to the bygone age of conquest and exploration known as the Great Crusade. They are descended from the ancient VII^th Legion - the indomitable Imperial Fists - who were the masters of every aspect of warfare, but in particular excelling at siege craft, whether on the attack or the defence. Like their Primarch Rogal Dorn, the warriors of this Legion were stoic, steadfast and indefatigable. Loyal to a fault, they were often chosen to act as the Emperor's personal praetorians, and took part in some of the most glorious campaigns of the Great Crusade, with the Master of Mankind at their head.

One notable formation of VII^th Legion was the CXXVII (127^th) Siege Company, a veteran assault and counter-assault formation, that specialised in the taking of enemy fortifications and in the active defence of fortresses. Configured as a siege assault formation, they were adept at laying siege and breaking supposedly unassailable fortresses or citadels of the enemy. This company was commanded by Seneschal Gareth Marcellus, whom his warriors referred to affectionately as the 'The Black Mastodon', due to both his massive physical size and propensity for bone-crunching savagery in melee combat. A Terran by birth, Marcellus hailed from the ancient and warlike clans of Old Albia, situated in southeastern Europe, from what had been the ancient nation-state of Britannia. Gareth hailed from one of the oldest warlord clans of Albia - proud inheritors of the martial traditions of his nation - which had for centuries held much of Terra under their sway. An ideal candidate, Gareth proved to be a formidable warrior without peer. However, his true skills lay in siegecraft and strategic planning.

Proving himself on dozens of battlefields, it was often through Gareth's meticulous planning and keen insight that helped carry the day during several different campaigns that had stalled and ground to a halt. Following their reunification with their long-lost Primarch on the newly discovered ice world of Inwit. After much review of his Legion's past exploits, Gareth was singled out and recognised for his past actions by Rogal Dorn and quickly saw a meteoric rise within the ranks of the VII^th Legion. He was eventually granted the senior rank of Seneschal and command of his own company - the 127^th Siege Company.

With their commander's superb tactical genius, the 127^th Company, seemingly without effort, were able to determine the most efficient route to circumvent enemy defences and bring a foe's bastions crashing down. Also possessing a host of ordnance and heavy artillery specialists, the 127^th Company commanded firepower like no other. They also possessed a formidable cadre of Phalanx Warder Squads - elite veterans hand-selected from the VII^th Legion's Breacher Siege Squads - that presented a veritable wall of ceramite to any aggressor that defied their assaults, and counter-attacked with grim determination once the attack was blunted.

Throughout the Great Crusade, the 127^th Company epitomised brutal efficiency and stalwart dedication to their chosen realm of warfare. This company was wont to overcome any obstacles or difficulties placed before them with relentless and meticulously applied force of arms, combined with cunning strategem and bloody-handed heroics. Unlike many of their brother companies, the 127^th Company evolved into the epitome of a siege-breaker assault force. It was during this time that the company earned the moniker, 'The Mastodons', due to their unyielding nature and propensity for bringing enemy fortifications crashing down. This was also done in part to honour their commander - recognising both his prodigious size and stubborn demeanour - the latter trait which was inherited by the warriors under his command.

Chapter Homeworld

Departmento Cartographicae pict-file of Keres.

Keres is a barren moon with a grim history. Orbiting the feudal world of Achyls it also serves as the foreboding home base of operations for the Black Mastrodons Space Marine Chapter. Indeed, 'Keres' is a fitting and evocative name, as it is associated with the ancient female death-spirits of Grecian mythology, adding an ominous and symbolic layer to the moon's significance for the Chapter. The desolate and lifeless nature of Keres, with its harsh atomic fallout and the remnants of a catastrophic war from the Age of Strife, mirrors the aftermath of the destructive battles that the Keres of mythology were drawn to. The moon's scarred landscape serves as a constant reminder of the violence and turmoil that once engulfed it.

Fortress-Monastery

As inheritors of Dorn, the Black Mastodons are supreme engineers and builders of mighty citadels. They are master castellans at heart, emulating their gene-sire's engineering feats and architectural prowess as the master of fortifications. The Black Mastodons take immense pride in their engineering and construction skills, and their expertise in building mighty citadels is unparalleled. As descendants of the ancient VII^th Legion, the Black Mastodons have inherited their progenitors' meticulous attention to detail and their unwavering commitment to mastering the arts of fortification. They excel in the art of fortress-building, employing advanced techniques and incorporating the latest technological advancements to create impregnable bastions of defence.

Within the inhospitable environment of Keres, the Black Mastodons have established their formidable fortress-monastery, the 'Castrum Invicta', meaning the 'Unconquered Fortress'. This name reflects the indomitable spirit and unwavering determination of the Chapter, as well as their commitment to defending humanity against the threats of the galaxy. Partially built into the side of one of the moon's tallest peaks, the choice to build their fotress-monastery on Keres highlights the Black Mastodons' resilience and adaptability. Just as the ancient Grecian myths portrayed the Keres as beings drawn to scenes of violent death, the Black Mastodons have chosen to establish their stronghold amidst the aftermath of a cataclysmic conflict. It is a testament to their unwavering resolve and their ability to thrive in even the most inhospitable environments.

The Castrum Invicta bears massive void shields, anti-air defence lasers, and a small garrison for defence. On occasions when a Centuria must rebuild its strength due to an extended crusade or substantial losses, it is usually added to the garrison on Keres, so that it can add another layer to the world's defences. Massive subterranean chambers hold the Chapter's vehicles and wargear, where they are preserved for future battles. Their ancient forges hold large mechanical furnaces found in the citadel's lower halls that run deep beneath the moon's surface, materials are provided here making it possible to create fresh weapons and vehicles, which is overseen by the Black Mastodons' Prefectus Fabrorum (Master of the Forge). Beneath these halls is the Chapter's most fortified area of their fortress-monastery - the Chapter's Apothecarion. Located within is the Chapter's gene-seed repository, the legacy and the Black Mastodons.

Chapter Keeps

The Black Mastodons' mastery as castellans extends beyond mere defensive structures. They are also skilled in the design and construction of mighty citadels and Chapter keeps. These citadels serve as both strongholds and centers of training, embodying the ideals of discipline, endurance, and unyielding resolve that define this Chapter. Establishing these fortifications wherever they go, they act as forward operating bases whenever the Chapter is out on crusade. Once their objectives are completed, these bastions of the Chapter might be abandoned for several years or even decades. However, when needed, these keeps can quickly be brought back online and act as staging posts for the Black Mastodons' campaigns, able to house several 'Centuria' (Companies) or even a 'Cohort' (Demi-Chapter)-sized formation.

Their engineering expertise goes hand in hand with their combat doctrine, as the Black Mastodons are known for their disciplined defence and their ability to hold and fortify key positions. Their castles and fortresses are not just architectural marvels but also tactical masterpieces, carefully designed to maximize defensive capabilities and provide strategic advantages.

The Black Mastodons' devotion to the art of fortification extends beyond their own citadels. The Chapter's mastery as castellans, coupled with their combat prowess, allows them to create formidable defensive structures and provide invaluable support to the Imperium's defensive efforts. As loyal servants of the Imperium, they often lend their engineering expertise to other Imperial forces, assisting in the construction and fortification of crucial defences, planetary strongholds, and strategic positions. Their guidance and knowledge ensure that these fortifications are built to withstand even the most relentless assaults.

Achyls

Departmento Cartographicae pict-file of Achyls, vassal recruitment world of the Black Mastodons.

Achyls is the vassal world of the Black Mastodons Chapter and its primary source of potential future Astartes. This feudal world is steep in a rich cultural heritage reminiscent of ancient Athenian/Hellenistic civilisations of the ancient empire of Grecia of Old Earth classical antiquity. Achlys is characterised by a fragmented political landscape, being comprised of a collection of city-states and other territories forming a loose federation. These regions are culturally and linguistically related, mirroring the diverse city-states that comprised the ancient Grecia empire. Each city-state on Achlys retains its own unique identity, with distinct customs, traditions, and governing systems.

The Achylsians are known for their artistic and architectural brilliance. Their skill in construction and design is renowned throughout the Imperium of Man, and their structures have become iconic symbols of architectural excellence. The temples, theatres, and stadia built by the Achylysians showcase their exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail, often featuring elaborate sculptures, ornate facades, towering columns, and grand interiors.

The influence of Achylsian architecture extends beyond their homeworld, with many of their architectural designs have left an indelible impact on Imperial architecture, inspiring and shaping the construction of notable and magnificent structures upon thousands of shrine worlds of the Ecclesiarchy. Many notable temples are brilliant examples of Doric and Ionian architecture. These octostyle, peripteral temples are dedicated to God-Emperor, the protector of Mankind, housing a giant chryselephantine statue dedicated to His omnipotent glory. The elegant and harmonious lines, intricate carvings, and thoughtful proportions that characterise Achlysian architecture have become highly sought after by architects and builders across the Imperium.

In addition to their architectural achievements, Achylsians also excel in other areas of culture, such as philosophy, literature, and the arts. Their society cherishes knowledge, intellectual pursuits, and the pursuit of excellence in all forms of creative expression. Achlysian philosophers and scholars are known for their insightful thinking, and their literature often explores profound themes and ideas.

As well as its advancements in art, philosophy and politics, the Achylsians are known for their military prowess. All male citizens are required to undergo formal rigorous training from an early age. This training includes physical conditioning, weapons training, and drills in tactics and strategy. The training of an Achylsian youth is so rigorous it is said that only one in three boys who begin the training program will graduate to become full-fledged soldiers. A small percentage of these adolescents who exceed far and above their peers are granted the unique honour of undergoing the Rites of Selection at the appointed time. The rest will either be eliminated for failing to meet the high standards or will become non-combatant members of their city-state's army.

The Achylsians promulgate a warrior culture and soldiers are an important part of their society. From the earliest days of ancient Achyls civilisation, soldiers were needed for wars, both to defend against external threats and to expand and protect the territory of the city-states. Soldiers are often drawn from the citizenry, as all male citizens are required to take part in compulsory service, an obligatory period of military service that is performed at some point in their lives. Mercenaries are often recruited from other parts of the world and are used to augment the ranks of the regular armies in times of need.

As the primary recruitment world of the Black Mastodons Chapter, Achlys serves as an ideal recruitment and training ground for future aspirants of the Chapter. The rigorous selection process and intense training regimen reflect the disciplined and physically demanding warrior ethos of the planet's ingrained warrior culture. The Achylsians, proud of their heritage, take great pride in supplying the finest warriors to serve the Imperium.

Overall, Achlys stands as a shining example of an Imperial world that has preserved and evolved the cultural legacy of their ancient Grecian forebears and their zealous faith in the God-Emperor. Its architectural marvels, intellectual contributions and excellence in the arts of war have left an indelible mark, standing as a preeminent example of what an Imperial world should aspire to be. It has become a world of great importance and reverence within the realms of the wider Imperium.

Chapter Recruitment

The Rites of Ascension is the name given to the recruitment rite of the Black Mastodons. Tradition and obligation demand that the Chapter undertake five selections every ten standard years. During this time, a cadre of the Chapter's officers led by a senior Chaplain, descend from their fortress-monastery located on Achlys' moon of Keres, and make planetfall. Every adolescent male that is of age, is forced to undergo the trials of selection. The prospective aspirant must make a pilgrimage to the Black Mastodon's Chapter keep, located upon the cliffs of the planet's tallest peak. This pilgrimage is an ordeal unto itself, as the pilgrim must endure the planet's harsh elements, predatory animals, and even highwaymen - a metaphorical journey of an aspirant to the rank of full battle-brother that all candidates must undertake.

If they manage to survive their pilgrimage (a feat in itself), they arrive at the Chapter keep, weary and fatigued, seeking refuge. They come dressed in the pilgrim's habit which is of brown material. Brown is the colour of humility and of the earth. The pilgrims are admitted and they are given protection from the elements and from the enemy and is provided with refreshment in the form of bread and water. After their modest meal, they are brought to their own private cells, to sleep their weariness away before the start of the trials. After a period of seven days, those that have arrived in the allotted time will undergo the rites of selection. Those who have failed to do so, are assumed to have died in the attempt.

At dawn, the weary candidates are awoken from their cells and taken to a large chamber. They are silently observed by the power-armoured giants who take the measure of the adolescents' worth. A skull-helmed Chaplain then steps forward and scrutinises the potential candidates brought before him. Each candidate announces their intent to be admitted into the Chapter. Proof of his faith and of his sincerity is then demanded, and the aspirant must prove their sincerity and devotion to the God-Emperor.

Following the questioning, the aspirants must then undergo various trials of selection. The trial takes the form of a series of challenges that test an aspirant's strength, stamina, speed, and skill. These challenges are designed to test an aspirant's courage and constancy and represent the constant warfare the Chapter undertakes against the lying vanities and deceits of the universe. These challenges can often prove deadly. In both cases, however, an aspirant that has failed a challenge, yet performed to the Chapter's satisfaction, is rescued from the jaws of death by the Chapter's 'Medicae' (Apothecaries) and judged worthy of progressing to the ranks of 'Tiro' (Neophyte), where they will undergo the first in a series of several painful implantations of Astartes organs to become a transhuman Space Marines.

In keeping with the tenants of their warrior culture, Aspirants are expected to be in excellent physical condition and skilled in the use of weapons and tactics. In order to prepare them for the life of a transhuman Astartes, aspirants engage in rigorous training and constant drills, both individually and as part of a unit. Those who flourish under this brutal regimen go on to receive additional Astartes implants, slowly completing their transformation into a transhuman warrior. Those who fail in to meet the Chapter's high standards, usually die in training. Those who manage to survive but fail their final test or have an adverse reaction to one of their Astartes implants are instead relegated to the ranks of the Chapter's 'Cacula' (Chapter Serfs).

Chapter Organisation

The Black Mastodons are a nominally Codex-adherent Chapter, however, they do not strictly adhere to the tenets of this most valuable of tomes, opting instead to utilise their own unique Chapter organisation, units and even rank designations, taken from the warrior culture of the primary recruitment world of Achyls. Like their progenitors, they are still broken up into ten separate companies, each of which numbers one hundred battle-brothers when operating at full strength. This force is led by the various veteran warriors and heroes of the Chapter, drawn from the Chapter's command headquarters of the Legatus (Chapter Master), as well as the various departments of the Chapter, including the Reclusium, Librarium, and the Apothecarion. It is further supported by the various heavy vehicles, artillery, gunships and aerial support of the Armoury, and the void-sailing vessels of the Chapter fleet.

Unit Formations

• Millennial - Chapter equivalent.
• Cohort - Demi-Chapter equivalent.
• Centuria - Company equivalent.
• Maniple - Squad equivalent.

Squad Formations

• Triarii (Singular: Triarius) - Veteran Squad.
• Hastati (Singular: Hastatus) - Battleline Squad.
• Sagitarii (Singular: Sagittarius) - Fire Support Squad.
• Ballistarii (Singular: Ballistarius) - Artillery Squad.
• Lancearii (Singular: Lanciarius) - Close Support Squad.
• Principes (Singular: Princeps) - Breacher Squad.
• Accensi (Singular: Accensus) - Siege Squad.
• Tirones - (Singular: Tiro) - A newly inducted Neophyte.
• Alares (Singular: Ala) - Aerial Squad.
• Cataphractarii (Singular: Cataphract) - Armoured Squad.

Officer Ranks

• Legatus - Chapter Master equivalent.
• Primus Pilus - First Captain equivalent.
• Tribune - Captain equivalent.
• Centurion - Lieutenant equivalent.

Immunues (Specialist Ranks)

• Pontifex Primus - Equivalent rank to a Reclusiarch of the Chapter.
• Pontiff - Equivalent rank to a Chaplain.
• Medicus Primus - Chief Apothecary equivalent.
• Medicus - Apothecary equivalent.
• Augur Primus - Chief Librarian equivalent.
• Augur
• Prefectus Fabrorum - Equivalent rank to a Master of the Forge, the Chapter's senior-most Techmarine.
• Fabrorum - Equivalent rank to a Techmarine.
• Millennial Signiferi - Chapter Ancient equivalent.
• Maniple Signiferi - Company Ancient equivalent.
• Bustuarius - Chapter Champion.
• Dimachaerus - Company Champion.
• Essedarius - Honoured ancient; Chapter dreadnought.

Line Ranks

• Optio - Veteran Sergeant equivalent, senior Sergeant of a Centuria.
• Tessarius - Senior Sergeant appointed by a Tesserarius to act as his second-in-command.
• Decanus - Sergeant equivalent, commands a Maniple of 10 Miles.
  • Decurion - Sergeant that commands the Chapter's armour units (Turma) comprised of 10 to 30 tanks and various armoured support vehicles.
  • Aquilifier - Chapter Standard Bearer equivalent.
  • Signifier - Company Standard Bearer equivalent.
  • Hastiliarius - Decanus appointed as a weapons instructor for the Chapter's Tiro (Neophytes).
• Miles (Plural: Milites) - Battle-Brother equivalent.
  • Discens - Battle-Brother in training for an immunis (Specialist) position.
• Veles (Plural: Velites) - Scout Marine/Primaris Incursor equivalent.
• Venator (Plural: Venatio) - Primaris Reiver & Vanguard Eliminator equivalent.
• Tiro (Plural: Tirones) - Neophyte equivalent.

Specialist Units & Formations

• Praetorians - Honour Guard equivalent, charged with the protection of the Legatus.

Non-Astartes Personnel

• Adituor - An adjutant or assistant.
• Capsarior - Medical orderly.
• Actuarius - Responsible for the distribution of provisions.
• Cacula - Chapter-Serf equivalent.

Order of Battle

Praetorium (Headquarters)

Praetorium
Legatus Torven Megamedes, Chapter Master of the Black Mastodons Bustuarius(Chapter Champion) (Add Name) Triarii (Honour Guard) Command Maniple (Squad): Pontiff (Chaplain Medicus (Apothecary) Augur (Librarian) Millennial Signiferi (Chapter Ancient) Fabrorum (Techmarine) Beneficiarii (Orderlies), Calatores (Chapter Serfs) & Servitors
Reclusiam	Librarius	Apothecarion	Armoury	Fleet Command
Pontifex Primus (Add Name), Pontiffs (Chaplains) Beneficiarii (Orderlies), Calatores (Chapter Serfs) & Servitors	Augur Primus (Add Name), Augurs (Librarians) Calatores (Chapter Serfs) & Servitors	Medicus Primus (Add Name) Medicus (Apothecaries) Medicus Calatores (Medical Serfs) & Servitors	Prefectus Fabrorum (Add Name), Master of the Forge Fabrorum (Techmarines) Servitors	Tribune (Add Name) Master of the Fleet Command Vessel: Surus' Wrath Battle Barges: Triumph of Bacchus Dire Tusk Behemoth Mammomax Tantor Strike Cruisers: Gunga Rao Trumpeting Roar Oath of War Gareth's Deliverance Escorts: Sword of Achylus Nemesis Akheron Ultio Pallas

Centuriae (Companies)

Veteran Company	Battle Companies
1st Maniple	2nd Maniple	3rd Maniple	4th Maniple	5th Maniple
Primus Pilus (Add Name) Master of the Keep Dimachaerus (Company Champion) Triarii (Honour Guard) Command Maniple (Squad): Pontiff (Chaplain Medicus (Apothecary) Augur (Librarian) Millennial Signiferi (Chapter Ancient) Fabrorum (Techmarine) Triarii (Veteran Squads) Beneficiarii (Orderlies), Calatores (Chapter Serfs) & Servitors	Tribune (Add Name) Master of the Watch Dimachaerus (Company Champion) Triarii (Honour Guard) Command Maniple (Squad): Pontiff (Chaplain Medicus (Apothecary) Augur (Librarian) Millennial Signiferi (Chapter Ancient) Fabrorum (Techmarine) Hastati (Battleline Squads) Beneficiarii (Orderlies), Calatores (Chapter Serfs) & Servitors	Tribune (Add Name) Master of the Arsenal Dimachaerus (Company Champion) Triarii (Honour Guard) Command Maniple (Squad): Pontiff (Chaplain Medicus (Apothecary) Augur (Librarian) Millennial Signiferi (Chapter Ancient) Fabrorum (Techmarine) Hastati (Battleline Squads) Beneficiarii (Orderlies), Calatores (Chapter Serfs) & Servitors	Tribune (Add Name) Master of the Fleet Dimachaerus (Company Champion) Triarii (Honour Guard) Command Maniple (Squad): Pontiff (Chaplain Medicus (Apothecary) Augur (Librarian) Millennial Signiferi (Chapter Ancient) Fabrorum (Techmarine) Hastati (Battleline Squads) Beneficiarii (Orderlies), Calatores (Chapter Serfs) & Servitors	Tribune (Add Name) Master of the Marches Dimachaerus (Company Champion) Triarii (Honour Guard) Command Maniple (Squad): Pontiff (Chaplain Medicus (Apothecary) Augur (Librarian) Millennial Signiferi (Chapter Ancient) Fabrorum (Techmarine) Hastati (Battleline Squads) Beneficiarii (Orderlies), Calatores (Chapter Serfs) & Servitors

Reserve Companies				Scout Company
6th Maniple	7th Maniple	8th Maniple	9th Maniple	10th Maniple
Tribune (Add Name) Master of the Rites Dimachaerus (Company Champion) Triarii (Honour Guard) Command Maniple (Squad): Pontiff (Chaplain Medicus (Apothecary) Augur (Librarian) Millennial Signiferi (Chapter Ancient) Fabrorum (Techmarine) Hastati (Battleline Squads) Beneficiarii (Orderlies), Calatores (Chapter Serfs) & Servitors	Tribune (Add Name) Master of Logistics Dimachaerus (Company Champion) Triarii (Honour Guard) Command Maniple (Squad): Pontiff (Chaplain Medicus (Apothecary) Augur (Librarian) Millennial Signiferi (Chapter Ancient) Fabrorum (Techmarine) Hastati (Battleline Squads) Beneficiarii (Orderlies), Calatores (Chapter Serfs) & Servitors	Tribune (Add Name) Master of Blades Dimachaerus (Company Champion) Triarii (Honour Guard) Command Maniple (Squad): Pontiff (Chaplain Medicus (Apothecary) Augur (Librarian) Millennial Signiferi (Chapter Ancient) Fabrorum (Techmarine) Lancearii (Close Support Squads) Principes (Breacher Squads) Beneficiarii (Orderlies), Calatores (Chapter Serfs) & Servitors	Tribune (Add Name) Master of Relics Dimachaerus (Company Champion) Triarii (Honour Guard) Command Maniple (Squad): Pontiff (Chaplain Medicus (Apothecary) Augur (Librarian) Millennial Signiferi (Chapter Ancient) Fabrorum (Techmarine) Sagitarii (Fire Support Squads) Accensi (Siege Squads) Beneficiarii (Orderlies), Calatores (Chapter Serfs) & Servitors	Tribune (Add Name) Master of Scouts Dimachaerus (Company Champion) Triarii (Honour Guard) Command Maniple (Squad): Pontiff (Chaplain Medicus (Apothecary) Augur (Librarian) Millennial Signiferi (Chapter Ancient) Fabrorum (Techmarine) Tirones (Scout Squads) Beneficiarii (Orderlies), Calatores (Chapter Serfs) & Servitors

Chapter Gene-Seed

As inheritors of the genetic lineage of Rogal Dorn, the Black Mastodons share their genetic legacy with their progenitors and have inherited many of the characteristics of their gene-sire. The Chapter's gene-seed is highly stable, though, like their genetic forebears, the Black Mastodons' genome always lacks the Betcher's Gland that allows a Space Marine to spit a corrosive acid, and the Sus-an Membrane that allows him to enter a life-sustaining state of deep hibernation.

The lack of these two organs is a holdover from the desperate times of the Horus Heresy, when the Imperial Fists Legion was forced to undertake drastic measures to swell their ranks in preparation for the defence of the Throneworld against the final assault by the Traitor Legions. By delaying the implantation of both the Betcher's Gland and Sus-an Membrance, until after the fateful events at Terra, the Imperial Fists were able to achieve a 32% decrease in implantation time.

Extant records show Dorn viewed the two as vestigial given the threats faced, for when the Warmaster reached Terra, no prisoners would be taken and few would be granted the reprieve of extended recovery. However, the misordered implanation of both organs resulted in unforeseen circumstances, resulting in the permanent degradation of the genetic code necessary to utilise them. These alterations resulted in the loss of one or both organs amongst the Chapters descended from the lineage of Dorn.

Despite the loss of these organs, the Black Mastodons do not lament their loss, for the gene-seed is remarkably stable and healthy, free of all other major mutations and Chaos-contamination.

Primarch's Curse: Death Before Dishonour

Like their progenitors, the Black Mastodons are more than willing to fight to the last, holding their ground with a siege-like mentality which will them triumph or die in the attempt. This expression of duty can become exaggerated in members of the Chapter during long periods of combat, especially against numerous and unrelenting foes. In these instances the battle-brther sees only death; the death of their comrades, the death of a world, and the death of their foes.

These affected battle-brothers consider that the only righteous path lies in the expenditure of their lives for these purposes and will face them with a stoic heart and a single-mindedness that can only lead to the complete annihilation of everything and everyone he faces, often eventually including himself and those that fight beside him. When the Chapter's genetic curse manifests itself in an affected battle-brother, it comes on in three stages:

• Stage 1 - No Retreat - As the odds mount so does the battle-brother's stubborn refusal to retreat, seeing only the glory and honour in defeating such overwhelming foes if even the barest glimmer of victory remains. Even if the doctrine and teaching of the Codex Astartes dictate retreat or flexible defence, the Battle-Brother will be loath to disengage until there is absolutely no choice, though often this can come too late.
• Stage 2 - Suffer not Defeat - Defeat is a bitter pill to swallow for the battle-brother and he would rather die fighting than accept that he has failed. This can lead to reckless behaviour as he throws himself into the fray or takes on excessive odds to win when prudence and tactical reason would dictate he withdraw.
• Stage 3 - Unto Death - The battle-brother has come to accept that perhaps only the cost of his own life will be enough to secure victory and is gladly willing to give it up. This can have dire consequences should the circumstances present him with a chance to martyr himself for the Emperor and bring ruin to the enemies of the Imperium. Should a battle-brother suffer mortal wounds, he gains a fatalistic desire to sell his life for the cause and will choose to expend his own life for a chance at victory or the safety of his brothers. This means he will fight on regardless of his wounds and continue to attack or place himself in the path of attacks even though the next blow could mean his end. He will also gladly accept suicidal or near-suicidal tasks (such as disarming unstable warheads, leading a forlorn hope or holding a breach to buy time for his companions) without complaint.

Combat Doctrine

The Black Mastodons are the masters of siege warfare and attrition assault tactics, favouring the use of murderous firepower as their principal agency of war, and are renowned for their use of heavy armour, artillery and fortifications, spurning vainglorious ideals of personal combat and valour for their brutal determination to achieve victory at any cost and by any means necessary. This penchant for such tactics culminated in various tactical formations such as that which has become known as the 'Hammer of Achlys'. This formation is designed to carry out an unyielding close range attack and shatter the most formidable enemy defence line under the weight of armoured warriors of the Black Mastodons' heavy infantry formations supported by a hurricane of deadly fire from the Chapter's armour formations.

To casual observers and the unitiated outsider, the Black Mastodons appear to have a predilection for deploying overwhelming firepower to pound their foes into submission before assaulting what's left of an enemy's formations. However, nothing could be further from the truth, for the Chapter's overall approach to warfare is far more analytical, subtle and above all, effective. As students of the art of siege warfare and preeminent Scions of Dorn, they display their Primarch's keen intellect and see the defeat of an enemy as an enigma to be cracked. In defence, the Black Mastodons make great use of fixed positions, bunkers and heavy gun emplacements, such as Thunderfire Cannons, automated mobile Tarantula Sentry Guns or Firestrike Servo-Turrents, so that even a small number of Battle-Brothers can effectively defend a large area from attack. Every aspect is optimised to give clear lines of sight and interlocking fields of fire, making it a deadly prospect for those foolhardy enough to assault one of their positions.

Utlising a planet's terrain, obstacles such as concertina wire and barricades, as well as minfields, the enemy is funneled into optimal killing zones, and the through the extensive use of high-functioning weapon servitors free, this frees the Astartes themselves to act as a reserve force able to respond to the unexpected, and for their inevitable counter-strike. They are also able to rapidly assess a situation and react accordingly. When faced with a numerically superior foe, the utilisation of such deadly tactics has enabled a smaller Black Mastodons strike force to stall an enemy's advance long enough for their orbiting vessels to deploy the full might of their arsenal down from orbit and defeat an enemy force in a deadly planetary bombardment.

When on the offensive, the Black Mastodons favour taking the same clinical approach to warfare. Utilising powerful scans, rolling artillery bombardments and infiltrating feints to probe the enemy's strength and weaknesses and inform their overall strategy. Each company utilises a differnet approach, based upon the guiding philosophy of their Praetors (Captains) and the equipment in their armoury. Most display a preference for deploying massed armoured blitzkriegs of Vindicators, Bombards, Whirlwinds and Fellblades, backed up with mechanized infantry in Land Raiders. However, the 1^st Veteran Company prefers to circumvent the enemy's defences entirely through the utilisation of extensive teleporter arrays to enable their Terminator Armoured veterans to strike at the very heart of an enemy's position. Meanwhile, the 8^th Assault Company makes extensive use of jump packs to fly over the walls of an enemy stronghold and drop down to rain death from above. They also make use of Terrax Pattern Termite Assault Drills (a tunneling vehicle) to catch the enemy unawares and to emerge deep behind enemy lines or in the heart of enemy fortifications, to disgorge its deadly cargo of Close Support Astartes to bring death and ruin.

Testudo

The Black Mastodons deploying their famous testudo tactic against the foe.

The Black Mastodons are famous for their utilisation of the ancient Romanii tactic of the testudo (or 'tortoise formation'), these Astartes will align their shields to form a packed formation covered with shields on the front and top, presenting an impenetrable shield wall to all sides. Through the use of this tried and tested tactic, the testudo offers consistent defensive strength against opposing infantry and excellent protection against small arms fire. Trained extensively to fight from behind their shield wall to deadly effect; its armoured protection and the immense firepower at their command provides a deadly match for any foes who dare to assail them.

This tactic is also utilised by this formation to protect the company's sappers as they advance towards an enemy fortification's walls, where they will undermine and collapse a tower, creating a breach for the rest of the company's forces to enter an enemy citadel. It seems as though nothing can stand before these Astartes' implacable advance during an assault. Staunch and immovable, this Chapter is the last line of defence when attack threatens and the first into the fray when called upon to assault an enemy fortification.

Deathwatch Service

Since the formation of this specialist xenos-hunting Chapter, the Black Mastodons have continuously sent battle-brothers to serve the Long Vigil within the ranks of the Deathwatch - the Ordo Militant of the Inquisition's Ordo Xenos. It is not known how battle-brothers down the long millennia have served within the vaunted ranks of the Deathwatch, but those brothers that are called upon are known to have served with distinction. Following the end of their vigil and returning to their Chapter these Deathwatch veterans help provide expertise and valuable insight regarding the myriad xenos threats that continuously threaten the Emperor's realm.

As such, many of these battle-brothers go on to assume leadership positions within the Chapter's hierarchy, bringing with them the valuable experiences of hunting various xenos and the techniques on how to properly fight against them. They have an innate understanding of the various weaknesses to exploit and how to properly combat the every-changing threats of highly dangerous xenoforms.

Notable Members

• Legatus Gareth Marcellus, 'The Black Mastodon' - Patriarch and founder of the Black Mastodons Chapter, Gareth was a veteran of both the Great Crusade and the Horus Heresy. A Terran-born member of the nascent VII^th Legion before their reunification with their Primarch Rogal Dorn, his talents for siege assault and natural leadership abilities saw his meteoric rise through the ranks, earning the rank of Seneschal and the command of the 127^th Siege Company. He would go on to lead countless successful siege assaults during the Great Crusade and served as one of the VII^th Legion's champions during the vicious fighting against their hated rivals from the Iron Warriors Traitor Legion during several engagements throughout the Age of Darkness.
  
  Gareth was also present during the Solar Wars to protect the inner ring of defence against the encroaching armada of the Arch-Traitor Horus and his Traitor Legion armada, slowing their journey in order to give their Primarch the necessary time he needed to prepare Terra's defences against the inevitable onslaught to come. This culminated in his participation during the Siege of Terra and the defence of the Imperial Palace against the vicious onslaught of the Warmaster's neverending hordes of traitors and daemonic allies. He would also help play an instrumental role in leading an Imperial Fists counter-strike force during the wars of reciprocity known as the Great Scouring against the fleeing Traitor forces.
  
  In recognition of his long, dedicated and stalwart service to the Imperium, Rogal Dorn selected Gareth Marcellus to lead a newly founded Successor Chapter during the 3^rd Founding which occurred at the dawn of M32.

Legatus Torven Megamedes, current Chapter Master of the Black Mastodons.

• Legatus Torven Megamedes, 'Grimstone' - Torven Megamedes, known to his warriors as "Grimstone," stands as the current Legatus of the Black Mastodons and a figure of immense renown. Towering over even his Astartes brethren, Torven's prodigious size and unparalleled strength render him an awe-inspiring presence both on and off the battlefield. Without his formidable battle-plate, he still dwarfs most of his fellow Space Marines, his sheer physicality a testament to the genetic mastery of the Emperor’s science.
  
  Wielding the revered relic Thunder Hammer, Tuskbreaker, Torven strikes with an earth-shattering power that has shattered foes and fortifications alike. This ancient weapon, a symbol of his authority and might, is said to amplify his already prodigious strength to apocalyptic levels. A single swing of Tuskbreaker is often enough to crush even the most heavily armored foes or reduce enemy strongpoints to rubble. Clad in his heavily customized Tartaros-pattern Terminator Armour, adorned with relics of the Chapter and trophies of countless victories, he embodies the indomitable spirit of the Black Mastodons.
  
  When the battle is fiercest, Torven is always at the forefront, surrounded by his cadre of Honour Guard. This elite force accompanies their Legatus into the crucible of combat, where they form an unbreakable shield around him as he smashes through enemy lines. His presence on the battlefield is more than just physical; it is a rallying point for his warriors, who draw courage and ferocity from his unrelenting example.
  
  Torven's warriors call him "Grimstone" for more than his sheer strength. His approach to warfare is as relentless as the grinding of stone, marked by a grim and unyielding determination to achieve victory, no matter the cost. This reputation has been solidified through numerous campaigns where his calculated brutality and single-minded focus have led the Black Mastodons to triumph against insurmountable odds. However, Torven's ruthlessness often comes at a heavy price. His willingness to sacrifice lives—both his enemies' and his own warriors' - has earned him both admiration and criticism within the Chapter. Some see his methods as a necessary evil in the face of the Imperium's endless wars, while others question the sustainability of his costly victories. Despite this, none doubt his effectiveness; his name is spoken with respect and trepidation by allies and foes alike.
  
  Beyond his ferocious presence in combat, Torven is a master of siegecraft and planetary assault. His campaigns are renowned for their precision and ruthless efficiency. When faced with entrenched enemies or fortified positions, his strategies reflect the legacy of his Chapter’s roots in the Imperial Fists. He employs overwhelming firepower, relentless pressure, and expertly coordinated assaults to grind down his enemies until their defences collapse. Torven's tactical acumen is matched only by his ability to inspire his warriors, even when the odds seem hopeless. His calculated brutality ensures that his forces remain focused on the ultimate objective, driving forward with an intensity that often overwhelms opposition before they can react.
  
  In Torven Megamedes, the Black Mastodons have a leader who embodies the Chapter's core values of unyielding strength and uncompromising determination. His exploits have become the stuff of legend within the Chapter, with his warriors speaking of him in hushed tones as a living embodiment of their unbreakable spirit. Yet, his relentless pursuit of victory raises questions about how far the Chapter can be pushed under his command.
  
  As "Grimstone" leads the Black Mastodons into battle after battle, one thing is certain: where Torven Megamedes walks, the ground trembles, and the enemies of the Imperium learn to fear the crushing hammer blows of the Black Mastodons' indomitable Legatus.

Chapter Fleet

Command Vessels:

• Surus' Wrath (Maelstrom-class Galleass of War) - The Surus' Wrath is the grandest of the Black Mastodons' warships, a Maelstrom-class Galleass of War that serves as the Chapter's flagship and mobile fortress-monastery. Its namesake honours Surus, the legendary last great war elephant that bore ancient Earth's Carthaginian general Hannibal into battle - a beast said to have carried its master unflinching through storms of fire and death. Like its namesake, the vessel is a creature of impossible endurance. Its adamantium hull is layered in ironwork plating and gilded Roman frescoes depicting scenes of conquest and sacrifice. At its heart lies the Throne of Triumph, a sanctum where the Legatus (Chapter Master) presides over his Tribunes (Captains) and Praetors as the Emperor's legate, surrounded by relics drawn from ten millennia of campaigns.
  
  When the Surus' Wrath enters battle, its prows blaze with the fire of its plasma mortars, and its deck batteries roar like the legions of ancient Rome unleashed anew. The ship's machine spirit is ancient and willful, its voice deep and sonorous in the vox-net, rumbling prayers in a dead dialect of Terran High Gothic. Every deck is lined with statuary of fallen heroes, each adorned with votive candles and laurels. Within the ship's atrium, hundreds of neophytes kneel in shadowed ranks, reciting the Litanies of Triumph and Dust before their first campaign, swearing to be as steadfast as Surus beneath the Emperor's yoke.

Battle Barges:

• Triumph of Bacchus (Warspite-class Battle Barge) - The Triumph of Bacchus is both a warship and a shrine to the ancient duality of victory and revelry. Though its name conjures feasts and triumphal processions, the Bacchus is anything but decadent. Within its walls, the Mastodons celebrate the grim joy of conquest - a form of worship as old as mankind itself. The Triumph serves as the ceremonial flagship for Crusade campaigns, bearing the banners of each Maniple (Company), and carrying with it the spoils and ashes of conquered worlds. It is said that upon its decks, before every major engagement, the warriors of the Chapter drink a ritual draught of consecrated amasec - not to dull fear, but to honour the blood that will soon be shed.
  
  The ship's interior is a labyrinth of chapels and amphitheatres, where statues of long-dead warriors loom beneath eternal torchlight. When the Triumph of Bacchus strikes from orbit, its bombardment salvos are timed to the rhythmic cadence of the Chapter's war hymns - a choir of death sung in honor of the Emperor's unending dominion.

• Dire Tusk (Ironclad-class Battle Barge) - The Dire Tusk is the Chapter's oldest operational vessel, its iron hull scarred from millennia of warfare. Once thought lost during the Siege of Borassus, it re-emerged centuries later from a warp storm, its vox-beacons tolling with the voices of the dead. Ever since, the Dire Tusk has borne a reputation of dread among both allies and foes. Its halls echo with distant metallic groans, and the battle-brothers assigned to its company speak of unseen presences that walk its corridors in the night-cycle.
  
  Despite its haunted nature, the Dire Tusk is a bastion of reliability in battle. Its prow rams are shaped like the curved tusks of its namesake, forged from captured xeno-ore that glows faintly in darkness. It serves as the personal command vessel of the Chapter's Master of Sanctity, whose duty is to keep both its machine spirit and its crew's faith from turning astray. To the Black Mastodons, it is a reminder that even the damned may yet serve the Emperor's will.

• Behemoth (Ironclad-class Battle Barge) - The Behemoth embodies the brutal might of the Black Mastodons. Its hull is a fortress in its own right, bearing siege mortars and breaching batteries that reduce planetary citadels to rubble. It is most often deployed during planetary purges, its bombardment preceding the landing of the Chapter's heaviest armoured cohorts. Within its holds, entire companies of Black Mastodons drill in formation, their armour blackened by sacred ash, their war cries echoing like thunder in the catacombs of its decks.
  
  The Behemoth is also the Chapter's chief reliquary ship. Its central shrine holds the ossified remains of Primus Legatus Aurelian Valco, the Chapter's first Master of Sieges, whose bones are interred within a marble sarcophagus beneath an eternal flame. When the Behemoth takes to war, its augur decks broadcast his final words across the fleet: "Fortitude is the truest blade of man."

• Mammomax (Legate-class Battle Barge) - Named for the mythical mastodon that crushed an entire heretic horde beneath its feet during the War of Blooded Chains, the Mammomax is a vessel of unrelenting assault. Where the Behemoth pulverises from afar, the Mammomax excels in close-quarters planetary invasion. Its prow is built for ramming, its hull reinforced to withstand the heat of atmospheric entry and the fury of orbital flak. When it strikes, it does so like a thunderbolt hurled by the Emperor Himself. Within the Mammomax, the ship's chapel - the Sanctum Maximus - is adorned with frescoes depicting the Primarch Dorn standing amid fields of ruin, his hand resting on the head of a stone mastodon. Here, the ship’s commander leads his warriors in the Rite of Iron Resolve before each campaign: a prayer not for victory, but for endurance through suffering.

• Tantor (Warspite-class Battle Barge) - The Tantor is the Chapter's main orbital siege platform and carries the heavy artillery and breacher companies of the Mastodons. It is often the first ship to arrive in theatre and the last to withdraw, remaining in high orbit even after the enemy's resistance has shattered. Its decks are marked by disciplined silence - the warriors aboard speak little, communicating through glances and the thunder of war drums that echo through the ship before battle. Though many in the Chapter view the Tantor as cursed for its tendency to survive catastrophes that obliterate others, its crew regard it as blessed. They believe the spirit of the ship embodies the stoic patience of Dorn himself - enduring all calamity until the final wall falls.

Strike Cruisers:

• Gunga Rao (Strike Cruiser) - The Gunga Rao is renowned as a swift and merciless hunter, often serving as the vanguard for larger fleet actions. Its name recalls an ancient warlord of Old Terra who fought beside beasts of great tusk and fury. Its hull bears ceremonial tusk patterns in bronze, and its corridors are lined with statues of past Tribunes whose deeds earned it victory against impossible odds. In battle, it favors hit-and-fade tactics - boarding actions, lightning assaults, and surgical strikes against command vessels. To serve aboard the Gunga Rao is to be part of the Chapter's "Scouting Cohort," warriors tasked with proving their mettle through speed, precision, and unflinching resolve.

• Trumpeting Roar (Strike Cruiser) - The Trumpeting Roar is the herald of the Black Mastodons' fury. Wherever it appears, the enemy knows annihilation follows. Its name derives from the deafening low-frequency pulses its engines emit when transitioning from warp-space - a sound like the call of some colossal, unseen beast. To the Black Mastodons, it is the cry of war itself, echoing across the stars. Aboard the Trumpeting Roar, the walls are carved with the names of every campaign fought by the Chapter since its founding. Before deployment, the ship's vox-casters project the Chapter's war hymn, "Dominus Bellum," across the battlefield, drowning out enemy communications and sowing dread.

• Oath of War (Strike Cruiser) - The Oath of War serves as both ship and shrine to the Chapter's eternal vows. Every warrior assigned to its decks is required to engrave his own battle-oath upon the ship's interior bulkheads - promises to the Emperor, to Dorn, and to the Mastodon Legati of old. Over the centuries, the ship has become a living scripture, its walls layered in words of devotion and fury. In combat, it operates as an escort and reinforcement carrier, deploying veteran Terminator squads into the heart of conflict. To fight from the Oath of War is to carry the accumulated weight of ten thousand vows - and to break even one is to bring dishonour upon the Chapter's legacy.

• Gareth's Deliverance (Strike Cruiser) - Bearing the name of the Black Mastodons' first Chapter Champion, Gareth's Deliverance is a vessel of redemption. It often transports penitent squads - warriors who have failed in their oaths and seek to regain honour through impossible missions. Its hull bears ritual scorch-marks where penitents have branded their armour before departure, promising the Emperor their lives as recompense. The Deliverance has earned renown for its daring rescues of stranded Imperial forces, often emerging from the warp to strike at the perfect moment. Its name is spoken in reverence among Astra Militarum regiments across multiple sectors - a saviour in iron, guided by the hand of duty.

Escorts:

• Sword of Achylus (Gladius-class Frigate) - The Sword of Achylus is a Gladius-class frigate famed for its unmatched precision. It serves as the fleet's duelist - often engaging enemy escorts one-on-one. Its name honours Achylus, the legendary Mastodon who was said to have crushed the skull of a god-engine with a single tusk. The ship's prow bears that same tusk-crest in adamantium relief, polished before every campaign by its serfs. The frigate's captain is chosen from among the most disciplined of the Chapter's neophyte officers, for it is said that the Sword tests not skill alone, but the purity of one's devotion to calculated destruction.

• Nemesis (Hunter-class Frigate) - The Nemesis is a Hunter-class frigate and the fleet's silent killer. Painted in matte black and stripped of external insignia, it prowls ahead of the main formation, striking from ambush with deadly torpedo volleys. Its machine spirit is cold and vengeful - its kill-tallies carved into its hull by the tech-marines who maintain it. To serve upon the Nemesis is considered both an honour and a penance, for those assigned to it often return from its void-silence changed - their eyes hard, their words few. It is said the Nemesis teaches its crew the Emperor's purest truth: that vengeance is a prayer made manifest.

• Akheron (Hunter-class Frigate) - Named for the ancient river of the dead, the Akheron serves as the fleet's escort to the fallen. It bears the remains of those who die in battle, carrying them back to the Surus' Wrath for interment among the honoured dead. Yet, in war, it is no mere mourner - its plasma batteries burn bright as it guards its charges through the black seas of the void. The Akheron is a somber vessel; no laughter or song is permitted aboard her decks. Her Captain, known as the Ferryman, never removes his helm and is said to have served aboard for more than three centuries. The ship's motto, engraved above her hangar bay, reads simply: "None return alone."

• Ultio (Nova-class Frigate) - The Ultio is a Nova-class frigate whose engines burn hotter than regulation allows, often venting plasma flame like the breath of a wrathful god. It is the executioner's blade of the fleet, dispatched to pursue retreating foes or exact vengeance upon those who have wronged the Imperium. Her crews believe themselves chosen by the Emperor to avenge not only the Black Mastodons' fallen brothers but every citizen who perished unavenged under xenos or heretic cruelty. Each kill is marked by a single word carved into the deck beside the prow - "Paid."

• Pallas (Gladius-class Frigate) - The Pallas is the swiftest of the fleet's Gladius-class escorts, named for the war-goddess of ancient myth. Her hull gleams in polished iron, inlaid with ivory engravings of laurels and thunderbolts. Serving as the fleet's scout and herald, she carries messages across warzones and relays commands during grand crusades. In battle, the Pallas circles her prey like a hunting eagle, striking at weak points before darting back into the void. To the Black Mastodons, she represents both wisdom and war - the two virtues without which even the strongest legion must perish.

Chapter Relics

Here is a collection of ten sacred relics of the Black Mastodons Space Marine Chapter, heirlooms of the sons of Dorn and scions of ancient Terra - relics that carry the weight of millennia, sanctified in oil, blood, and fire. Each relic is both weapon and scripture, a fragment of the Chapter's unbroken legacy since the 3rd Founding, when the Imperium was still reeling from the scars of the Heresy. Each relic is kept under the watch of the Praefectorum Reliquarii, guarded within the inner sancta of the flagship Surus' Wrath or the Chapter's fortress-monastery, Castrum Invicta. All bear the solemn gravitas of Roman virtue - Pietas, Gravitas, Fortitudo, and Disciplina - the pillars of the Black Mastodons' creed:

• The Tusculan Aegis - A mighty storm shield said to have been wrought by the hands of the Chapter's first Forge Lord, Domitian Corvus, the Tusculan Aegis bears the image of a mastodon's skull surrounded by laurel and flame. The shield's inner circuits hum with ancient machine-spirits that can project a flickering force barrier capable of deflecting lascannon fire and plasma bolts alike. Legend tells that during the Siege of Hecatomb IX, the Aegis absorbed the full fury of a Tyranid bio-cannon before its bearer, Centurion Valerius Dracon, struck back and slew the creature with his dying breath. Ever since, the relic has been carried only by those who have taken the Oath of the Iron Heart, pledging to be the wall upon which the Emperor's enemies break.

• The Ivory Gladius - This ancient blade is said to have been forged from the ground-down tusks of the mastodon that bore the Chapter's first Master of Sieges into battle. Its monomolecular edge gleams with a ghostly white hue, capable of slicing through ceramite as easily as flesh. The Ivory Gladius is more than a weapon - it is a symbol of command, borne only by the Chapter Master himself when leading the Legion Maniples to war. Its hilt is carved with the inscription: "Virtus per Sanguinem - Strength through Blood." It is said that to draw the blade is to call forth the wrath of ten thousand dead Mastodons, whose spirits march unseen beside their living brothers.

• Malleus Imperatoris - A thunder hammer of immense size and weight, the Malleus Imperatoris was gifted to the Black Mastodons by the High Lords of Terra upon their founding. The weapon's haft is wrapped in sanctified chains and bears the sigil of Dorn's gauntleted fist upon its crown. When swung in battle, it emits a thunderclap that can shatter stone and send shockwaves across the field. Legends say that during the Purgation of Voss Prime, the hammer's bearer, Tribune Horatian Maximus, used it to break open the gates of a daemon-forged citadel after forty days of siege. The resulting quake leveled the fortress and buried the heretic cult within its own blasphemous walls.

• The Palladium of Roma - A golden aquila wrought in the shape of a mastodon, said to contain within it a fragment of the Aegis Dome that once protected the Imperial Palace during the Horus Heresy. The relic radiates a low, resonant hum that fills nearby warriors with a stoic calm, banishing fear and doubt. It is carried into battle by the Chapter's Reclusiarch, who mounts it upon a sacred standard called The Banner of the Everlasting Wall. To lose the Palladium is considered a sin beyond atonement - to carry it into victory is to embody Dorn's eternal defiance.

• Lorica Invicta - An ancient suit of artificer armour, blackened by plasma scars and adorned with bronze inlay depicting the Triumphs of the Primarch Dorn. The Lorica Invicta is said to have belonged to the first Chapter Champion of the Black Mastodons, Gaius Heraclius, who defended the walls of Fort Carthago against overwhelming daemonic hordes for thirteen days and nights. The armour's machine spirit is proud and unyielding - it refuses to function for those deemed unworthy, sealing its systems entirely. Those permitted to wear the Lorica Invicta are regarded as living symbols of the Chapter's endurance - men who embody the Roman virtue of Fortitudo - strength born through trial.

• Vox Domini - This relic is not a weapon, but a helm - a sacred iron mask said to have belonged to the Chapter's first Primarch-appointed Legate. Crafted with vox-augmenters tuned to ancient frequencies, the wearer's voice carries across battlefields like the Emperor's own decree. It has been said that warriors under its command fight beyond mortal endurance, their faith renewed by the voice of authority. The helm's visor is faceless and cold, an echo of Dorn’s stoic ideal — emotionless resolve in the face of ruin. When the Chapter Master dons the Vox Domini, his commands are taken as the Emperor's Word itself.

• Ferrata Manus - This cybernetic gauntlet is said to house fragments of an ancient mastodon's tusk, combined with adamantine and sanctified circuitry. It enhances its bearer's strength to monstrous levels, allowing them to crush power armour or twist tank plating by sheer force. The Ferrata Manus was most famously wielded by Legatus Quintus Sulla, who used it to slay the traitor warlord Severan of the Coil by crushing his head in a single blow. It has since become a symbol of righteous vengeance and unyielding dominion - a reminder that mercy is weakness before the enemies of Mankind.

• Aquila Maxima - A masterwork storm bolter once belonging to a Custodian of the Emperor, its twin barrels engraved with wings of silver and the mastodon's crest. It fires shells inscribed with micro-litanies of hatred, each round a prayer against heresy. Only the Chapter's Bustuarius may wield it - a rank reserved for the Champion who guards the Chapter Master himself. To bear the Aquila Maxima is to stand as the shield of the Imperium's will, and to fall in battle while wielding it is to die immortalised among the Chapter's most honoured dead.

• Cloak of the Centurion - A ceremonial war-cloak fashioned from the flayed hide of a xenos war-beast slain during the Conquest of Karthadion. Its fibres have been interwoven with adamantine thread, granting it both resilience and sacred symbolism. To the Black Mastodons, the cloak represents Auctoritas - the divine right of command bestowed through sacrifice and trial. Only the senior officers of the Chapter may wear the Cloak during the Rite of Triumph, when a campaign ends in total victory. It is said that the Emperor Himself gazes upon the warrior who dons it, measuring his worth among the heroes of mankind.

• Bellatoris Ultima - A relic power sword reserved for the last duel of the Legatus should the Chapter face extinction. Its blade is carved from a crystalline alloy found only on the lost world of Ferrus Noctis, glowing faintly red when drawn in righteous wrath. The sword's oath-script reads: "Should we fall, let this be the Emperor's last thunder." It has been unsheathed only twice in the Chapter's history - once during the Orphean Betrayal, and once in the Siege of Titan's Gate. Both times, the Black Mastodons stood bloodied but unbroken. The blade now rests within the sepulchral vaults of the Surus' Wrath, awaiting the end of all things - or the final dawn.

Chapter Appearance

Chapter Colours

The battle-plate of the Black Mastodons is a reflection of their grim resolve and unyielding nature, clad primarily in a deep, abyssal black that swallows the light, evoking both dread and solemnity. Upon their broad pauldrons, the dark majesty of royal purple stands in stark contrast, bordered by silver trim that gleams like the edges of a warrior's blade. The Aquila or Imperialis affixed to their plastron is rendered in the same argent hue, a defiant proclamation of their unbroken loyalty to the Emperor, despite the long shadows cast over their war-torn existence.

True to the traditions of their recruiting world, Achyls, the Black Mastodons embrace an archaic aesthetic that harkens back to the warriors of Old Earth's ancient Grecian culture. Their battle-plate is adorned with embellishments that set them apart from their brethren among the Adeptus Astartes - epaulettes reminiscent of the champions of antiquity, pteruges of reinforced leather straps cascading from their waists like the skirts of hoplite armor, and plumes atop their helmets, signifying rank and honour. To the untrained eye, they appear as warriors from a forgotten age, reforged in the crucible of the Imperium's endless wars.

The Chapter's badge, the blackened visage of a Mastodon, is displayed with pride upon their left armorial inset, a grim totem of endurance and strength. Squad designation is marked upon the opposite armorial, though it is not uncommon for warriors to bear this symbol upon their right vambrace instead, accompanied by a stark white Roman numeral denoting their assigned squad. The left poleyn of their war-plate carries another mark of identity - a small, white circlet framing a large, black Roman numeral, signifying their place within the Chapter's companies.

Each mark, each insignia, is more than mere heraldry. It is a history written upon ceramite and adamantium, a reminder that every warrior of the Black Mastodons stands upon the shoulders of those who fell before them, bound by oaths of blood and fire.

Chapter Badge

The sigil of the Black Mastodons is an imposing symbol of endurance and wrath—a massive, sable-hued Mastodon head, its visage frozen in a snarl of primal defiance. It is more than a mere emblem; it is a challenge to all who would stand against them, a silent vow that the Black Mastodons will never falter, never kneel, and never retreat. Like the great beasts that once roamed the desolate plains of Achyls, the warriors of the Chapter are immovable in battle, crushing all who dare to test the might of the Emperor's chosen.

Chapter Relations

Allies

Name	Iconography	Notes
Last Wall Chapters

Enemies

Name	Iconography	Notes
Iron Warriors
Merciless

Notable Quotes

By the Black Mastodons

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About the Black Mastodons

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"Whenever a mastodon charges, it destroys everything in it's path. None like the Black Mastodons can prove this."

—Lord Praetorian Harriet Keltor of the Blades of Resurgence

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Gallery

Personnel Gallery

Black Mastodons Tribune (Captain) Morneas Cordaris, commander of the 4^th Centuria (Company) arrayed in relic Indomitus pattern Terminator Armour and armed with a relic Gladius and master-crafted combi-plasma/storm bolter.

Black Mastodons Centurion (Lieutenant) Gregor Invictemus of the 3^rd Centuria (Company).

Black Mastodons Triarius (Veteran Marine) Casseus Lysanus of the Chapter's elite 1^st Centuria (Company), arrayed in relic Cataphractii Terminator Armour.

Black Mastodons Miles (Battle-Brother) Arcus Lycigeas of the 8^th Centuria (Company), 6^th Principes (Breacher Assault Squad).

Weapon & Vehicle Gallery

Black Mastodons relic Heavy Armour Transport, Mammomax's Roar, assigned to the Chapter's elite 1^st Company.

A Black Mastodons Tarantula Sentry Gun.