Chameleons

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Chameleons
Basic Chameleon Shoulderpad (each is hand painted by the marine)
Chameleons Primaris Intercessor of the Chapter's 1st House ("The Chamelek Hunters").
Space Marine Chapter
Allegiance	Imperium of Man (Fedelitas Totalis)
Founding	4th Founding
Successor of	Salamanders (Vulkan lineage.)
Chapter Master	Mint'Lei
Homeworld	Jacksonii
Fortress-Monastery	The Bronze Fortress
Allies	Ilrekian Regiments, Inquisitor Janice Malor
Number of Marines	1,000
Specialty	Stealth, Guerilla Tactics, Forest Warfare
Battle Cry	Leave no trace.
Colours	Green, Gold, Black, Silver, Grey
Successor Chapter(s)	None

The Chameleons are a loyalist Successor Chapter of the mighty Salamanders, brought into the fold with the advent of the 4^th Founding following the near-disastrous conflict known as the War of the Beast during the middle centuries of M32. Renowned for their stealth based tactics the chapter has hunted for the sons of the traitor legions since the chapters inception. The chapter shares a deep paternal affection for humanity with the parent chapter, often forgoing their exemplary covert stratagems for the sake of civilians or guardsmen.

Chapter History

Origins

Formed in the wake of the Dropsite Massacre of Isstvan V from the handful of men that remained after a biological attack from the Death Guard, seven survivors would find a small transport craft known as the Forge Assistant and fled the world. They would crash land on a forested world nearly 800 years later (unbeknownst to them) then they had left, in the ruins of a once mighty human settlement. The world lacked proper communications equipment to reach the Imperium, and so the survivors set about restoring the world so that they may one day be able to contact the Imperium, if it still existed. The marines would round up the remaining crewman, servitors, and supplies and established a headquarters deep in the derelict settlement. They would recruit or conquer local tribal groups, eventually establishing a basic settlement in the ruins. Near 300 years would pass before the chapter could get the derelict facilities 80% effective and get a properly educated workforce established. This work would begin to attract the attention of an empire of reptilian xenos from the equatorial regions of the world, and a war would occur over the subsequent 10 years. The war would be initially costly for human forces, but once proper weaponry (las-rifles, auto bolters) and medical supplies could be produced they would decimate the xenos forces and send them into the deepest recesses of the worlds ancient and dark jungles.At the wars end the survivors would come to the decision to use the world’s medical facilities to begin development of more Astartes. They would see high failure rates, more mutations in geneseed, and many decades before they could call the resulting soldiers Astartes, though most would be far from true Astartes. When the Imperium finally rediscovered the world, the chapter was authorized after a long discussion amongst the high lords and was one of the many chapters created in the 4^th Founding.

Notable Campaigns

Reclaimer Crusade

Following a series of priorty calls from nearby systems the Chameleons set out in mass to reclaim the local area from the variety of enemies closing in.

Raid on Ilrek II

In the year 191.M40 a small Chameleon strike force landed on the world of Ilrek II and found themselves in the midst of an ongoing battle between the forces of Nurgle and the Guard. After a brief correspondence with General Pusen Vladiminsk they were committed to a surgical strike deep behind enemy lines. They would achieve their objective (overloading the reactor of Hive Kan) at the cost of everyone (15 marines in total) save Sergeant Kriksyle. The Death Guard presence in the system was total incinerated and the cultists leading the war on the ground would soon fight amongst themselves, allowing the imperial forces to mop up any not killed in the explosion of Hive Kan.

Gains

• Increased renown with the Ilrekian Guard Regiments.
• Beneficial trade deals regarding naval maintenance.
• A close connection to General Vladiminsk and the 23rd, 42nd and 102th Ilrek Regiments.

Contact on Caze

In the year 201.M40 a small force of Chameleons arrived on the planet Caze, establishing a foothold against the forces of chaos with casualties being sustained by militarum forces. They have established contact with planetary defense forces in all sectors except the South Eastern Hemisphere, it appears the chaos invasion stems from that region and a combined force of Chameleons and PDF have spearheaded a campaign deep into the heart of the enemy hoping to eradicate all heresy.

Operation Firebrand

A small Chameleon kill team with PDF allies managed to prevent an unknown ritual by the forces of Chaos in the center of the South Eastern Hemisphere. The ritual was believed to be an attempt to spring forth an army of demons from the domain of Khorne, the kill team suffered minor casualties but their PDF allies were slaughtered to the last man.

Breaching of the Hive

The final push to remove the heretics from the planet was a success. Chameleon forces drilled under the shield generator building and managed to destroy it and get out with only a few casualties. The final hive city fell and each level was purged slowly and methodically with Chameleon extermination teams accompanying scions from level to level, burning away the taint of chaos and those who would defy the god emperor.

Casualties

• 32 Wounded Marines 7 Dead
• 1.1 Million PDF and Imperial Guard
• 6.2 Million Civillians
• 35 Unknown Warband Marines
• An estimated 14 Million Chaos Tainted civilians and cultists

Gains

• Reclamation of Hive Cities Dale and Pik
• 5 year tithe of arms to the chapter
• 129 aspirants immediatley with the chapter recieving priority recruiting access to the worlds top youth.

Notable Chapter Figures

• Chaplain Ves Brek - Held his own against a full squad of bloodletters
• Inquisitor Dalen Mesin - Sacrificed herself in a psychic burst after taking on a Chaos Lord and Sorcerer in combat. Her Psychic burst destroyed both her and the Chaos Lord and Sorcerer, decimating the enemy leadership.
• Plekin Rukan - An Intercessor Sergeant who held the line after several chaos powered dreadnoughts tore through his squad, holding the line and preventing his fellow soldiers from dying. He has been given the rank of Captain for his skills.

Purge of Aamil

In the year 326.M40 Captain Delen, along with a small contingent of marines, visited the hive world of Aamil I regarding suspicious activity and a shortage in tithes.

Transport Ambush

Upon landing on the planet the captain and his retinue were ambushed as they were transported through the city, the world had become infected with Genestealers. Blasting Charges and Las-rounds rained down on the column before they made it to cover destroying their transportation. The force of the Chameleons managed to fight their way to the governor's manor, with the marines Wane and Vul falling whilst protecting the captain from the brood's patriarch.

Hive Conquest

The streets ran red with blood before the infection could be contained to half of the city. The Governor was summarily executed for his negligence and martial law was declared, and any mutants or those suspected to be infected were summarily executed. The world would burn with a reduction in population of nearly 44.2321% over the course of four months as orbital bombardments rained down and purging squads roamed the streets. The brood has been reduced to a small subsector of the hive, with Delen taking his remaining marines and a large force of the surviving PDF to burn out the remaining vermin.

Down with the Patriarch

An ambush was set up along the evacuation route of the patriarch and his deformed mutant guards. Delen and his honor guard lied in wait in an abandoned hangar with stolen aircraft. When the moment proved most fruitful they burned away the remaining cultists and Delen pulverized the patriarch with fist and flame. All signs of the infestation have been cleared away and monitoring protocols have been set in place throughout the world, every shipment, every layer, every inch will be watched for future signs of infestation.

Casualties

• 44.2321% of the population of Aamil. Two Hives demolished. Two others were consolidated due to lack of population
• 19 wounded marines 12 Dead
• 52 Serfs dead or rendered unfit for servitude
• 1 of Delens Honor Guard

Gains

Prevented the loss of Aamil and purged the hive of incompetent leadership.

Notable Figures

• Terminator Wane - Protected Captain Delen from a Sanctus assassin and a kelermorph who were after him, held the line so that Captain Delen and the others could make it to a fortified position.
• Marine Val - Took on several colossal aberrant's in combat, preventing them from reaching the procession's transport vehicles. He managed to slay several before falling to their crude picks and hammers.

Compliance of Trakgor

In the year 277.M40 a force of marines lead by Captain Kraaw were hailed for assistance by Inquisitor Janice Malor, she requested aid in the compliance of a world that had spurned the emperor and allied with the Tau. While relations at this time were not great with the inquisition, Captain Kraaw obliged and the combined forces under Janice Malor plunged into the marshes that surround the sole hive city on Trakgor.

Struggle in the Marsh

The initial stages of the campaign were bloody, especially for the guardsmen directly under the inquisitor, with devastating ambushes being extremely common in the marshes. Even the Chameleons could not rest as the Tau’s firepower and ambushes reigned supreme, Captain Kraw would even be heavily wounded in one such ambush and required heavy bionic modification. After roughly six months of continuous ambushes, frequent disease outbreaks, and a rapidly rising casualty count the Chameleons would make a breach in the enemy line and the scions of the 54th Ilrekian Eagles would join them. The Tau and rebel guardsmen of Trakgor began a full retreat as the tide of scions pushed through, retreating all the way behind the walls of Pekan.

Slaughter of Pekan

The siege lasted only a few weeks before a loyalist contingent of civilians within Pekan would make contact with the Inquisitor. They informed the inquisitor of a chemical waste outlet that could be used to lead a small force into the city, allowing the imperium to destroy the cities shields and open the gates. Captain Kraaw and what remained of his forces as well as the 54th Ilrekian Eagles would be the saboteurs that would open the gate for the purge to begin. The mission at first went well, the outlet was obviously abandoned and safe enough for travel with minimal hazard gear, the loyalists within the wall were even escorted back to imperial lines by the chapter’s serfs. The road to the shield generators was a bloody slog for the scions and Chameleons with half the force dying before they reached the generators. After shutting off the generators the full might of the Tau and rebels came to bear, and in the end a mere tenth of the saboteurs made it out alive (thanks mainly to quick deployment of scions following the shields shut down). Eventually the city gates would be opened and the city of Pekan began to burn as the inquisitor’s simple orders “Purge them all” rang out over all vox frequencies. It would take several days before every last xenos and heretic could be dragged out of the filth of the underhive and purged, but the city of Pekan was finally free. A full re-population effort would be undertaken, with the loyalists who lead the marines inside the wall receiving rewards and placement at the top of the worlds governmental structure.

Casualties

• 9 wounded marines 17 dead
• 2.1 Million Loyalist Guardsmen
• 500,000 Scions
• 97% of the World Population
• Unknown amount of Tau killed

Gains

• Increased relations between the inquisition and Chameleons
• Inquisitor Janice Malor becoming a close friend of the chapter.

Notable Figures

• Janice Malor- The inquisitor behind the compliance of Trakgor, known for her use of a modified suit of terminator armor and unsettling smile she is a competent commander with a burning hatred of xenos.

Reclamation of Hunsforths Bounty

In the year 094.M38 a lone cruiser appeared in the Jacksonii System and did not respond to the chapter’s calls. The ship was quickly surrounded, a final warning was given, and after several minutes without a response a force of Jacksonii’s PDF and a small group from the Chameleons boarded the vessel. A force of unknown xenos and Imperial Navy were found on board, inhabiting a small section of the cruiser. The crewmen were given a choice, turn over the xenos for execution and rejoin the imperium or be killed, sadly the xenos taint had worked its way into the survivor’s minds and they refused. After a brief bit of repair work Techmarine Sakron managed to close down all exits in that section of the ship and flooded it with poisonous gas. Those that managed to make it to out of their living area were gunned down and those who had life support systems were burned alive shortly thereafter. The xenos and heretic remains were quickly chucked into the ships incinerators and the ship now serves as protector of Gecel, keeping threats at bay and keeping watch over the penal workers below.

Lumber Crisis

In the year 281.M37 an envoy from Governor Jeel Atenduma, of the hive world Menan proposed a trade deal for the rights to harvest the Ebon-Oaks that exist all across Jacksonii. This envoy received a stern reply from then Chapter Master Reka Belan, a simple “No”. Governor Atenduma took this as an insult and sent several ships into the system, dropping in workers across the planet to harvest the highly sought-after lumber. It took approximately 17 hours for the chapter to mobilize its forces, killing an estimated 32,921 workers and guards before they fled the system. About 29 Ebon-Oaks would be stolen with an additional 42 harvested and left to rot in the retreat. It was by pure coincidence that a number of days later Governor Atenduma was killed, alongside his family and advisors, in a reactor malfunction aboard the Justice of Menan.

Relic Hunt

In the year 399.M39 Chapter Master Mint’Lei leads a task force of new astartes to recover a relic predator loaded with weapons from the great crusade, some said to be blessed by the Primarch himself. The taskforce successfully destroyed the chaos marines in the AOI, seizing the relic lascannon predator for themselves alongside a trove of master-crafted boltguns and mark three armor. This small artifact hunt turned into full warfare as the Chameleons helped the local imperial forces ambush and destroy the heretics on the planet. One scout was lost in the fighting, dying to the blade of a champion of chaos before it was struck down by Chapter Master Mint’Li. A small inquisition force landed on the planet shortly thereafter and began to question and purge all who survived the battle, in an attempt to ambush the small Chameleon taskforce they attacked their outpost but all died in the fighting. The Chapter soon left the world, leaving as little evidence of infighting behind as possible.

Tau Contact

In the year 012.M41 a strange alien craft arrived through a warp portal into Jacksonii’s orbit, crashing through the forest canopy into the jungles below. A small training force of PDF in the jungle training near the crash sight went to investigate, led by Techmarine Jan'Kessa and his servitors. They found a small tau vessel with twenty-three crew members clinging to life, they set the vessel alight with bolter rounds, flame, and lasers slaying the Xenos but at the cost of seven pdf lives with four being heavily wounded and no longer being fit for active duty beyond a support capacity. The vessel was brought back for study by the local mechanicus and librarius, giving lots of navigational and weaponry data to the chapter regarding the tau.

Slaughter of Freeman's Post

In an unknown year in M40 confrontation with an unknown force occurred on an Imperial Space Station with all aboard being slaughtered. A contingent of 30 Chameleons were docked at the station awaiting a shipment of terminator suits from the Adeptus Mechanicus. The marines were butchered, some missing heads, some partially melted, and others with their limbs placed in strange shapes. Pict-Records from the helmets were confiscated by the Inquisition before the chapter could review the footage, another point of contention that the chapter would harbor against the inquisition.

Chapter Homeworld

Jacksonii is the Chapter homeworld of the Chameleons, a vast forested world that (were it not for the xenos beasts of the jungles and swamps) one might call a paradise world. Citizens here have a high standard of living compared to the rest of the imperium.

Fortress-Monastery

The Bronze Fortress

The chapter's home on Jacksonii, surrounded by the bronze walls of the original settlement created anywhere from 10-20k years before its rediscovery. The fortress inhabits the long dead remains of a volcano that the original inhabitants built into, a massive defensive boon for the chapter.

Notable locations includes:

• The Obsidian Vault - The Chapter's Librarium is housed behind a giant door made of Obsidian. Notable relics stored here are the chapters original copies of the promethean creed, a Kastellan robot possessed by a demon, and all things that may have the taint of chaos.
• Marble Forge - The artisan forge of the Chameleons, located in a much more secure part of the Bronze Fortress.
• Slate Forge - The more mundane forge of the Chameleons, primarily used for the creation of baseline supplies.
• The Damned Cells - located deep within the dead volcano of the bronze fortress, the enemies of the chapter are held here awaiting interrogation. The poor conditions of the cells, intense heat and no light, often lead to the more weak-willed prisoners going insane. These prisoners, after all information has been extracted, either are turned into servitors or (in the case of those touched by chaos) used as live fire targets for training.

Other Locations

• The Garden of Ancients - A lush garden that houses a collection of the galaxy's most aesthetic plants. This is where the dreadnoughts of the chapter are housed, giving them a pleasant psychic field that lowers the inevitable madness that dreadnoughts suffer. The garden is also home to an extensive orchard where the dead are buried alongside a sapling, the trees are taken care of by the dreadnoughts as well as aspirants.
• The Grove of the Fallen - A forest of Ebon-Oak trees that are planted with the corpses of slain marines, aspirants join the caretakers in honoring the Ebon-Oaks and leading religious services in the forest.
• Brookesia - The town that surrounds the Chapter keep. The Chameleons are told to ingratiate themselves with the locals and are welcome to spend time with family and friends when not in a campaign. Homes extend from the keep in order of length on Jacksonii, with the longest lineages having homes right alongside the bronze walls. Roughly 20% of the Population of Brookesia have had sons attempt the trials and are honored every year at a festival dedicated to the fallen.
• The Silver Plains - The largest non-forested non-aquatic section of Jacksonii, nomadic tribes still live in this region and spur the technology brought by the Chameleons. Occasionally they grow too bold and charge into the jungles to sack the various settlements, foundries, and fortifications of the Chameleon's but are quickly brought to heel. Particularly strong tribals may be kidnapped, their mind cleansed, and prepared for aspirant trials. The tribals also make for excellent servitor material as they are easily captured in combat due to their inferior technology.
• Reptilis Reserve - The Chameleons specially bred zooforms are raised in the marshes and jungles of the reserve, this location is also home to the last of the loyal tribes that have not decided to use modern imperial technology. Instead the tribal's here use very basic technology and undertake the task of breeding the world's supply of Soukhos, Chamelek and Salen. The reserve is relatively close to the silver plains, so a standing army of servitors patrols the border between the two regions

Interplanetary Factions

• Neo-Barbarians - Located entirely on the Silver Plains and their surrounding temperate forests the neo-barbarians are a collection of 25 tribes that seek to bring Jacksonii back to the days before the Chameleons arrived (and after the fall of Jacksonii's original colony). They occasionally form temporary alliances and send raiding parties to attack settlements loyal to the Chameleons but are quickly rebuffed every time. Interestingly enough they do worship the emperor in their own weird form, calling him the Chief of Man and they claim he blesses their every action.
• Reptilis Curators - Located entirely within the Reptilis reserve these tribals follow the promethean cult and are loyal to the Chameleons. This faction is very passive and spends its time breeding zooforms for the Chameleons in exchange for protection from the neo-barbarians. Very few, if any, aspirants come from the loyalist tribals due to their pacifist nature.
• Brookesians - Brookesia and its settlements, foundries, and fortifications located across the planet are under the direct control of the chapter. Comprised of the descendants of tribals who swore loyalty to the chapter in its early days, the people enjoy a great standard of living compared to the imperium at large. They still cling to their tribal roots in the form of a deep reverence for the environment as well as a love for the Chameleons for uplifting them from their impoverished state

Chapter Organisation

The Chameleons do not prescribe to the tenats of the Codex Astartes in regard to chapter organization, instead operating with five "houses". Every force of Chameleons that ventures out into the galaxy is comprised of members of each house with a command squad from the Chamelek Hunters always leading the way. The chapter does use the traditional rank structure and titles of the codex astartes for squad structures.

Houses

• 1^st House "The Chamelek Hunters" - The veteran house of the chapter, lead personally by the Chapter Master and his honor guard. The best warriors and marksmen find themselves here, serving as captains, lieutenants, and veteran aids for the other houses. The Librarius is also considered apart of this house, serving as the chapters knowledge keepers. Numbers roughly 100 marines at any given time.

• 2^nd House "The Soukhos Fist" - Considered to be the specialist section of the chapter, those found to be highly skilled in one particular field are brought here and serve . It is focused on specialists like, apothecaries, medicae, heavy weapons experts, close combat experts and more. Roughly 200 marines are in this house at any given time.

• 3^rd House "The Ceramite Hide" - The armored section of the chapter lead by the Master of the Forge. Any and all vehicles controlled by the chapter are driven by members of this company. It houses a large army of servitors and serfs who maintain the vehicles and the monastery. Rougly 150 marines serve here at any given time, mainly manning the chapters fleet.

• 4^th House "The Bloodied" - The main bulwark that fights on the frontlines, now almost entirely comprised of primaris marines since their introduction to the galaxy. Roughly 300 marines serve here at any given time.

• 5^th House "The Rising" - This house harbors the majority of the chapter's less exemplary forces, those who failed a trial and were still allowed to become an astartes are located here. The scouts of the chapter are also considered a part of this house until they have suffficiently proven themselves in combat. Numbers roughly 200 marines at any given time.

Non-House Organizations of the Chameleons

• The Nameless - Marines that have in some way failed the chapter are sent here to redeem themselves, they are stripped of name and rank and given a pure black set of armor. They are sent on the highest risk missions until chapter command determines they have fulfilled their debt to the chapter.

• The Honored - Those that have failed in the process of becoming a marine are sent here, as are the various serfs recruited by the chapter. They serve as crewmen, auxillary forces and servants for the astartes of the chapter and are honored every terran year in a great festival.

• The Caretakers - A specific subsection of The Honored who take care of the Garden of Ancients and the accompanying Fallen Grove. They are experts in botany and are trained in combat to defend the grove and garden at all costs.

• Ali'i Council - The brightest serfs and failed aspirants are tasked with governing the world alongside chapter command, they take care of 95% of the work regarding administration. They have special permission to mobilize the Honored should military forces be needed (occasionally necessary for riots or dealing with tribal conflicts). Originally made up of tribal chiefs who swore loyalty to the Chameleon's founders, their descendants continuing to hold hereditary offices for their families continued loyalty.

Chapter Recruitment

The chapter draws mainly from Jacksonii and its surrounding systems, occasionally taking in orphans from the worlds they defend. In addition to normal chapter procedures all aspirants must undergo five trials to be declared a marine.

First Trial

A year long survival mission in the deepest jungles of Jacksonii with only a spear and hide clothing. This trial is used to determine that the aspirants have the most basic of standards for an aspirant and is by far the easiest step for future Chameleons.

Second Trial

A great hunt in the mangrove swamps of the Jade River in the Reptilis Reserve, groups of aspirants (typically in groups of four) are tasked with bringing down a Hydrophine (sea snake that can grow to be hundreds of feet long) and bring its corpse back to the tribal caretakers.

Third Trial

The aspirant is transported to the worlds southern pole to make a run across the magma fields there. Between the volatile lava flows and the noxious gases released it is by far the most dangerous trial that has has seen entire classes of aspirants wiped out.

Fourth Trial

The aspirant is put in battle against a Soukhos (one of the warrior castes of the xenos found on the world) with a melee weapon of their choice (they are given 6 hours to craft their own weapon before battle).

Fifth Trial

The aspirant is given a week to make their own set of marine armor, their own bolter, a sufficient amount of ammunition, and a close combat weapon. This weaponry is then judged by the best artisans of the chapter, and if deemed acceptable they are welcomed into the chapter.

Chapter Beliefs

The Chapter

The chapter takes after their founders, and the original tribals of the world in several ways. The chapter clings to the promethean creed as its dominant belief system, valuing self-reliance, loyalty, duty, patience, awareness, self-sacrifice and self-discipline. The chapter considers the ability to produce one’s own weapons and armor a sign of maturity, and an aspirant can’t become a marine until he has proven such an ability. The chapter also holds that their duty to protect humanity relies on the protection of the environments of their world, and marines are taught to leave no trace on the worlds they travel to (both in combat and outside of combat). Chapter serfs are dedicated to reclaiming any shells, scraps of armor, or lost weapons on the battlefields of the Chameleons, those who can reclaim all the material left behind find themselves honored with high praise from the chapter. The chapter also sticks to a relatively vegetarian diet, only consuming the meat of animals that lived a wild and free life. When they do consume meat it is often after the marines have undertaken a hunt of one of the many creatures on Jacksonii, finding the memories of these wild beasts to be a nice release from the restricted lives the marines live. If they can't verify the meat comes from an animal that lived a life free of factory farming and the abuses such animals take then they stick to a vegetarian diet. When on campaign (and unable to supply their own rations) they typically resort to eating the enemy, shunning the corpse starch rations provided by the munitorum for the poor conditions of those that make up the starch.

Jacksonii Serfs

The people of Jacksonii are hardline environmentalists, believing that any harm to nature that is not rectified is an attack on the emperor himself. They worship the Great Ebonoak trees of the Fallen Grove, and the astartes who's remains spur their growth, as well as nature in general. Crimes such as littering, the illegal dumping of waste, and not recycling are all heavily punished. Littering's minimum sentence is being turned into a servitor, illegal dumping's minimum sentence is you and your family being turned into a servitor, not recycling's minimum sentence is 5 years hard labor. The humans of Jacksonii are treated quite well, with the lowest class still being considered far above that of a hive world worker. Below the humans of Jacksonii are several races of reptilian xenos that are treated as servants to the world. They have been breed into complete compliance and have been designated non-sentient thanks to hundreds of years of breeding and genemanipulation. There are three primary species of Xenos, the first is the Soukhos a large crocodilian race that serve as heavy lifters and pack animals. Next is the Chamelek, a small reptilian race used as messengers and forward scout due to their nimble and stealthy nature. Finally are the Salen a small amphibian race that are used as farm hands, aid to fishermen, and sewage workers.

Chapter Gene-Seed

The chapter's geneseed is descended from that of the Salamanders, though their long isolation on Jacksonii before rediscovery has lead to a variation in the traditional mutation of Vulkan's genestock as well as a new mutation

Genetic Flaws

Vulkan's Facade

The most noticeable mutation is the onyx skin color the chapter develops, similar to the salamanders, that immediately appears upon leaving Jacksonii’s atmosphere. The skin color tends to disappear slowly on low-radiation worlds (such as Jacksonii) and they return to a more “normal” skin tone.

Winter's Spell

The most unique mutation they have, and one they didn’t discover until they encountered the cold of Gekel, is a cold intolerance that causes their sus-an membrane to slowly kick in. Should a marine find themselves without proper source of heat, quite uncommon unless their armor malfunctions, they quickly become sluggish and if exposed to cold for too long go into hibernation and collapse.

Combat Doctrine

The Chameleons specialize in stealth and marksmanship, preferring to hunt their enemies from the shroud of the jungle rather than run in with a chainsword in hand. This means in many other chapter’s eyes they aren’t seen as “honorable combatants” as they would rather blast off heretic heads from a distance than bring the emperors light to them directly. This isn’t to say that they are unwilling to lay down a serious beating on the enemy, as they will happily do so to save the lives of civilians and guardsmen. They also differ from most other chapters in that they follow the war plans of whatever force they are aiding, whereas other chapters would go off on their own hunt the Chameleons would rather aid those they were sent to fight for. They also take an attitude of using everything they take from the battlefield for future use elsewhere, for instance tau and eldar corpses are often recycled for use as fertilizer (eldar fertilized foods seem to pack a little extra flavor that makes soul food really soul food). They also have a habit of collecting the dead (on eithe sider) for consumption if rations are not available, with guardsmen often regarding the serfs of the chapter as "carrion collectors" and the marines "vulture lords". The chapter also has a definitive preference for Mark VI and the much appreciated MK X Phobos suits designed by Cawl.

Deathwatch Service

Despite tension between the chapter and the Ordos Xenos over the use of Jacksonii's zooforms, the chapter frequently sends marines for deathwatch service so that they might grow as hunters. Members of the chapter who partake in the watch are also tasked with bringing enchanting flora back to Jacksonii so that the Garden of Ancients can grow. Foreign fauna specimens and observations are also requested so that the chapter may continue its cataloguing of the universe's biodiversity.

Notable Members

Founders

• Mint’li - Legion Vigilator who lead the survivors, the most senior ranking member of the group and close friend of Rhok Ghut. Following the rediscovery of Jacksonii and the chapter's official founding he served as the chapter master for a few hundred years before disappering into the warp.
• Rhok Ghut - Recon sergeant (and now the chapters oldest dreadnought), close friend of Mint’li. A close combat specialist who served as Mint'li's right hand and enforcer. Now entombed in a contemptor dreadnought he serves as the chapter's chronicler, remembering the history of the chapter so that none may forget their beginnings.
• Beten Suran - Marine belonging to Rhok Ghuts squad explosives specialist who would lead the construction efforts of Brookesia and the clearing of the Bronze Fortress's collapse tunnels. Perished in an explosives accident before the rediscovery of Jacksonii.
• Zac’Ahn - Medicae belonging to Rhok Ghuts squad who mainly served as Pendak's assistant. Under Pendak's orders he managed to convince most of the tribals of the world to swear loyalty to the chapter by providing medical knowledge and supplies to them. By the time of Jacksonii's rediscovery he was considered the voice of Jacksonii for the chapter.
• Pendak One-Eye - Salamanders apothecarion who managed to earn the trust of the first tribals the chapter came into contact with by curing them of a pandemic. Thanks to his harvesting efforts during the dropsite massacre and his careful protection of the fallen's geneseed the chapter had a small but strong stock to begin the growth of new marines.
• Quanre Iron Skull - Iron hands Techmarine and the pilot of the “The Forge Assistant”. Without his expert knowledge on the protection and maintanence of a proper gene-seed vault the chapter would likely never have been founded in the first place. Elected to stay and aid the Chameleon's debut into the galaxy following the rediscover of Jacksonii.
• Uten the Young - At the time of the dropsite massacre he was a newly inducted Iron Hands techmarine and assistant to Quanre, following the crash landing on Jacksonii he became a vital part of the effort to bring the former colonies facilities back online. Returned to his chapter following the imperium's rediscovery of Jacksonni.

Chapter Relics

• Chronicle of Grudges - A tome containing every slight against the chapter, there are very few organizations that find themselves without a spot in the Chronicle. The chapter operates on an Eye for an Eye basis, with each grudge only being removed once it has been resolved. Earning a spot in the chronicle is saved only for those who have harmed the chapter, an insult or a poor trade deal aren't grudge worthy. The first entry is against the Death Guard, and other betrayers from Isstvan V, and can only be removed when they have been annihilated from the galaxy.
• Helm of Menri - A mark III helm from the first librarian of the chapter, the helm has an innate psychic ability that saps the morale of those around it. Chameleons appear to be immune to the effect, but guardsmen have found themselves on the verge of running after basking in its psychic energies for several minutes. The helm is all that remains of Menri Ban after he sacrificed himself to stop a demon prince's ascension.
• The Word of Montius - A manuscript passed from Chief Librarian to Chief Librarian that contains a very short passage. The passage is written in a strange daemonic language and was retrieved from the corpse of a Drukhari Archon after the chapter briefly allied with the xenos in a Daemonic incursion. The chapter saw the Archon reading the passage aloud (recording it in the process) and causing scores of daemons to die in the process. The Daemons would convulse and let out a noise unheard of in daemons, genuine laughter, and then dissipate. The passage has only been read aloud by a Chief Librarian once (Librarian Montius) and has remained in the Obsidian Vault since.
• Black Armor of Pendak - A ruined suit of Mark III armor that allows the user to send their body into overdrive. It contains within a supped-up Auto-Medicae system that injects the user with a unique blend of combat stimulants, allowing the user to power through more pain than a normal astartes. It was last worn by Pendak himself during a battle against the greenskins, Pendak continued to fight after losing several limbs. Right before the Ork War Boss Sword Snatcha could slay him he exclaimed “Tis only a flesh wound” and called in an orbital bombardment on his position, vaporizing the warboss and sending the orks into disarray. The armor stands on display alongside the armor of the other founders in the Emerald Undercroft.

• Archive of the Emperor's Blessings - A collection of all the chapter's knowledge on the biodiversity of the universe, every animal and plant that the chapter has come into contact with has been forever remembered in the parchment of this large tome. In addition to the information and imagery shown in the book the chapter also maintains a stasis field protected collection of the genetic data on the species mentioned in the book.

Chapter Appearance

Chapter Colours

The Chameleons power armor is predominately a more muted version of the Salamander's green with a silver crest on their chest. Additional armor plating and the inner shoulder pauldron's are black, with a gold or green trim along the armor's edge. The sergeant's recieve either a red or black helmet to differentiate themselves from other marines, with an additional face plating depending on what house they belong to. Members of the Chamelek Hunters receive a bronze faceplate, Soukhos Fist receive brass, Ceramite hide a silver faceplate, and the Bloodied and Rising keep the same color as their helm.

Chapter Badge

The chapter's badge is the symbol of the first tribe they came into contact with, its name long forgotten. It depicts one of the world's Chamelek a once arguably sapient species bred back into nothing more than animals Each badge is handpainted by the marine bearing it, with many taking artistic liberties to set themselves apart from their brethren.

Relations

Allies

• Ilrekian Regiments - Following the raid on Ilrek II the chapter formed a close relation with Ilrek II and the other Ilrek worlds (thanks to the aid of General Pusen Vladiminsk).
• Janice Malor - Thanks to the Chameleons aid in the Compliance of Trakgor the Chameleons formed a close bond with Janice and eventually struck a deal. Now Janice takes the chapter's side should any issues arise and provides reports on anything of note that happens within the chapter's defensive region. Of course this is not free of charge, and Janice has been given the unconditional ability to call for a Chameleon kill team should she need it.

Notable Quotes

About the Chameleons

"Those astartes are some of the bravest folks I have had the pleasure of serving with. Just don't get too close when they run out of rations, men say that they hover over the battlefield feasting on the dead and dying."

— Guardsmen Jack Smalek of the 23^rd Ilrekian Eagles

"An incredibly peculiar band of Space Marines, whilst we were cheering our victory over the xenos they were walking around picking up bolter shells and other scrap. They were acting just like garbage-servitors cleaning a hive cities streets."

— Inquisitor Janice Malor following the siege of Pekan.

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Gallery

Chameleons current Chapter Master Mint'Lei in his Mk X Gravis Suit.