The Bladehounds are a loyalist Space Marine Chapter founded during the Ultima Founding as a fleet-based chapter. Offically they are descended from the venerable First Founding White Scars, but studies of their gene-seed and tactics have left unfortunate rumours to circulate about them.
The Bladehounds are known for their martial skill in close-combat, with most battle-brothers of the chapter being reputable chain-sword duelists, and are noted members of the Tempestus Wardens, a coalition of chapters founded in the aftermath of the Ruinous Crusade.
Chapter History
Origins
The Bladehounds were founded during the Ultima Founding near the start of the Era Indomitus. A fleet-based chapter from origin, the chapter was granted the feudal world of Zantria Omega as their primary recruitment centre and tasked with patrolling the Segmentum Tempestus. The chapter quickly became known for it's tendency to drop off of the grid, with the chapter's fleet pursuing campaigns and goals with little to no contact with the rest of the imperium. However the stability of their gene-seed and their willingness to work with the Inquistion in most cases has led to the chapter not being declared renegade as of yet.
The Bladehounds began their service by working alongside many venerable chapters of the Segmentum, such as the stalwart Emerald Spears, and as such they maintain a long alliance with many of these chapters, being more than willing to call upon aid when they believe their numbers or experience is not enough for the situation at hand.
Notable Campaigns
- Ruinous Crusade (End of m41 to start of m42, exact dates unknown due to Noctis Aeterna)
Chapter Homeworld
As a fleet-based chapter, the Bladehounds do not maintain a single homeworld, however they were granted the world of Zantria Omega as their primary recruitment world.
Zantria Omega is classed as a Feudal World, with the majority of the population belonging to one of the great city-keeps of the planet. A planet seemingly reliant on war, the Zantrian citizens are all trained from a young age in the local form of combat, leading to a large quantity of disciplined, strong children for recruitment into what they call the Star Knights, for the chapter descends from the stars once a decade to collect the best and brightest of the planet's youth.
The Bladehounds maintain a training center on the largest moon of Zantria Omega where one of the Centuries of the chapter remains. From the moon fortress the Zantrian youths are trained and tought about the chapter and the imperium as large, with frequent trips down to the wide fields and forests of the planet for training missions.
Chapter Organisation
The Bladehounds are split into the standard 10 companies as laid out by the Codex Astartes, known as Centuries, however the 10th Century is not designated explictly for the training of Scouts as the chapters Scouts are split between the 10 Centuries and transfered between them to broaden their training.
The Bladehounds do not have the standard Chaplains or Apothecaries of other chapters, instead combining them into a single role known as a Caducean Priests. These Caducean Priests are trained in the arts of medical aid, gene-seed cultivation and the propogation of the chapter cult.
The chapter also refuses to maintain a Librarium, with the record-keeping duties of the chapter assigned to their Caducean Priests, as they consider psykers to be a source of spiritual corruption. However they are not as fanatic in this belief as some chapters and are willing to work alongside psykers of the Imperium, although those psykers would never be considered brothers in the way the Bladehounds consider other Astartes.
Combat Doctrine
The Bladehounds follow the [[w:c:warhammer40k:Codex Astartes|Codex Astartes rigidly in terms of combat tactics, however the chapter does maintain a higher population of Assault squad marines than is normal due to their predisposition to close-combat. The chapter is known for their mastery of the duel, with officers only being promoted on the back of both extensive service in the field, and the success of multiple duels in the gladiatorial rings of the fleet.
The chapter is also known for it's willingness to coordinate with any local forces, such as other Astartes chapters or regiments of the Astra Militarum, and will regularly send a Centurion of the chapter to join the war-council of any campaigns they are present in, much to the joy of mortal commanders and representatives who know the morale boost that comes from an Astartes' presence.
Chapter Beliefs
The Bladehounds follow a strict culture of fraternity, restraint and composure in the fires of battle. As such the chapter promotes the art of dueling amongst their marines, with the brothers of the chapter encouraged to settle disputes, form bonds and meditate in duels against their brethen. These duels are never past the point of 2nd blood, with any marine who exceeds this being censured by the chapters officers.
The chapter has a noted dislike of psykers, with no psyker being allowed entry into their ranks, due to their belief that psychic abilities are a source of corruption. However the chapter is willing to work alongside loyalist psykers outside of their chapter, as they recognise that psyker abilities can be required for the completion of certain missions.
Gene-Seed
The Bladehounds are offically descended from the lineage of the White Scars, although Genetor studies of the chapter have revealed a distinct lack of White Scar gene-signs, with most of the genetic markers pointing to none of the 1st Founding Chapters. However the Bladehounds have notably stable gene-seed, with full activity of all gene-seed organs.
The Bladehounds seem genetically predisposed to beserker tendancies, however the Chapter's culture of restraint and rigid following of the Codex Astartes in terms of tactics has curbed most of these tendancies in all but the youngest brethen.
Deathwatch Service
The Bladehound's don't typically serve in the Deathwatch due to their low numbers, recent founding and evasiveness, however there are some Bladehound members of the Deathwatch as the chapter believes coordination with the other aspects of the Imperium is important.
Notable Members
- Centurion Suratus: Centurion Nikalous Suratus is the 6th Centurion of the Bladehounds. Known as the Hero of Haddrics for his actions during the Ruinous Crusade, Suratus is an exceptional chainsword duelist, ambassador and tactician. Suratus has a noted close friendship with Captain Darragh of the Emerald Spears, thanks to a history that goes back to the origin of the Bladehounds.
Chapter Fleet
- Sword of Conquest (Battle Barge): An ancient battle barge that was gifted to the Bladehounds at their founding, this ship serves as the fleet-monestary of the chapter.
Relics
- The Hound's Roar: A gift from the Emerald Spear's at the climax of the Ruinous Crusade, this chainsword is of an ancient pattern and was rumoured to be wielded by the ancient blackshield Macer Varren. Most of the details of this blade and it's owner have been lost to time but the weapon itself is a peerless weapon.
Chapter Appearance
Chapter Colours
The Bladehounds wear blue and white power armor with light blue detailing.
Chapter Badge
The Bladehound's heraldry consists of a half-filled in star underneath a snarling wolf head.
Relations
Allies
- Tempestus Wardens: A coalition of chapters dedicated to defending the Segmentum Tempestus
- Emerald Spears
- Penitent Gates
- Sable Claws
Enemies
Notable Quotes
By the Bladehounds
About the Bladehounds
