Crystal Dragons

This article, Crystal Dragons, was written by Petrus Tyrannus. Please do not edit or 'acquire' this fiction without the writer's permission.

This article, Crystal Dragons, is currently under active construction. The author, Petrus Tyrannus, apologizes for the inconvenience.

"And here we stand. In the midst of the cold, unending void, surrounded by threats never before imagined by mortal minds. Our numbers dwindle, for no human settlement, neither famous nor forgotten, exists in this unknown region of space to provide us with fresh recruits. And yet, we stand. Against xenos races, mad despots and ancient hereties whose sole purpose is to see His glorious work undone. We stand side-by-side with astartes that are not our brothers, are not our friends, but are our allies, and we shall fight as one to prove worthy of our sacred mission. For we are the Crystal Dragons, the Emperor's judgement, mercy and punishment, and only through our sacrifice may humanity persist. May His light bathe us!"

—Typus Felions, captain of the Crystal Dragon's second company, adressing to this battle-brothers before an important campaign.

The Crystal Dragons are a Loyalist Space Marine Chapter of the Adeptus Astartes created during the 25^th 'Bastion' Founding, specifically for the purpose of supervising other chapters' penitent crusades. The Iron Hands lineage was chosen for their strong adherence to logical thought and reason over passion and feelings.

In their short story, the Crystal Dragons have already accompanied over 20 of such crusades, treating those under their surveillance with cordiality yet cold severity to make sure that those Astartes atone for their past sins against the trust of the Emperor.

Currently, these warriors are following the Sons of the Emperor Chapter in their pursuit to seek redemption for the loss of the legendary Helm of Fate relic to the Chaos forces of the Adamantine Priests. The fate of both chapters seems uncertain with the birth of the Great Rift, as threats seem to surround the Imperium from every possible side.

Chapter History

The foundation of the Crystal Dragons is traced back to the beggining of the 40th millennium, a time of political and military instability. Many adeptus astartes chapters, out of spite of poorely guided faith, turned their backs to the Imperium, believing their causes to be noble. However, when confronted with the truth of their actions, these chapters would regret and ask for absolution. That's where the Dragons entered the scene.

Eager to see the astartes forgiven, the creation of a chapter solely devoted to that specific reason was requested by the High Lords of Terra. The imperial officers approached the Ferrus' Children in this regard, seeking this chapter for their unfaltering loyalty to the Emperor and stubborn straightforward thinking for the creation of this new fighting force.

The new astartes were then brought to life, trained by this fellows and introduced to the tenets of the Codex Astartes. Interestingly though, despite their mission as absoIvers, they chose a name that did not reflect this nature, perhaps as a meaning of approaching the chapters they would supervise not as superiors, bot as equals whose intent would be only to help in their return to grace.

Thus over two mmilleniums have passed since their creation. Two glorious milleniums of war in the name of the Emperor and his fervent angels of death. Currently, the Crystal Dragons are trapped in unknown space alongside the Sons of the Emperor hunting for their hateful enemies. If they will return this perilous journey is only up to their own combat mastery and faith in the God-Emperor of Mankind.

Notable Campaigns

Chapter Organisation

The Crystal Dragons chapter are organized in accordance to the dictats of the Codex Astartes. The reason for this fervent adherence to the Codex is intertwined with the very purpose of this space marine order's creation: that of putting their cousin chapters back in the Emperor's light.

Command Ranks

The most prestigious of the Astartes of Crystal Dragons will take the role of leading their fellow brothers. In the absence of the Chapter Master, due to him being either busy or missing, the members of the chapter's Honour Guard will be considered the most high-ranking officers and will have the authority to act as such.

Ultimately, the commanding position will fall to the highest officer in the chapter's hierarchy that is communicable.

Salmos Hunth - Chapter Master.

Specialist Ranks

Maerum Blur - Chapter Champion.
Nicter Lenteron - Master of the Forge.
Aloom Sueq - Master of Sanctity.
BoIIus Keth - Chief Apothecary.
Cader Yalan - Chief Librarian.

Junior Ranks

Just like other Codex-compliant chapters, the Dragons will have amongst their ranks a scout company dedicated to gathering intelligence from the enemy and training newcomers, as these neophytes are not going to see much combat action while in this fighting force. If the recruits do a fine job, they are elevated to be part of one of the nine 'line' companies, where true fighting happens.

Tenth company members usually utilize the chapter's fleet smallest and fastest ships, for their primary purpose is solely asserting the enemy's forces and analyzing how much of a threat they pose.

Line Ranks

The Crystal Dragons base their fighting force mainly in its nine line companies. These battle-hardened soldiers excel in a variety of combat environments. Besides space combat, wich is their preferred war specialty, the chapter forces can crush land opposition as well, preferably close quarters situations that mimic those found in a spaceship.

Amongst the companies, there are a multitude of units specialized in different aspects of battle. Those include:

Tactical Marines - standard forces yet highly adaptable to multiple occasions.
Devastator Marines - specialized in delivering astonishing firepower when required.
Assault Marines - warriors wearing jump-packs that enable them to fall behind enemy lines and take them by surprise.
Terminators (Crystal Fangs) - members of the chapter that have proved worthy of receiving the mighty gift and responsibility that is wearing a tactical dreadnought armor. Although primarily concentrated in the first company, such warriors can also be seen in the other ones, yet in fewer numbers.

Specialist Formations

The Dragons have the four standard specialized ranks, which are:

The Armoury - The chapter's techmarines, responsible for maintaining the chapter's ships, vehicles, armors, weapons and other technologies functioning.
The Reclusiam - The chapter's chaplains, responsible for the religious ceremonies and for safeguarding their holy relics. It may be worth noting that the Reclusiam in this chapter is somewhat smaller than in other ones.
The Apothecarion - The chapter's apothecaries, responsible for medical treatment and for preserving the chapter's gene-seed for the creation of new astartes.
The Librarius - The chapter's librarians, responsible for recording the chapter's history, it's mighty deeds and greatest battles. They are also the chapter's psykers.

Order of Battle

Headquarters

Companies

Doran Eveno - First 'White Crystal' company's captain
Typus Felions - Second 'Gold Crystal' company's captain
Grondin Joule - Third 'Blood Crystal' company's captain
Fameon Isten - Fourth 'Hard Crystal' company's captain
Hermon Quale - Fifth 'Heart Crystal' company's captain
Krae Omanet - Sixth 'Silver Crystal' company's captain
Unbes Rint - Seventh 'Blazing Crystal' company's captain
Vandros Waxen - Eighth 'Freezing Crystal' company's captain
Zowas Barlas - Ninth 'Brass Crystal' company's captain
Anot Heveran - Tenth 'Dark Crystal' company's captain

Chapter Culture

This chapter is a direct descendant of the Iron Hands and, because of that, its members place reason and logical thinking very highly in their lives. Even being assumed worshipers of the God-Emperor of Mankind, they are not prone to rely solely on faith and mystical ceremonies to achieve victory, preferring a more direct approach when trying to understand the cosmos and their role in it. For this reason, the Crystal Dragons possess a smaller Reclusiam than other Codex-compliant chapters, their main purpose reduced to keeping the chapter's relics safe and blessing the Astartes before big, important battles.

Chapter Belief

The Crystal Dragons were created with a very specific purpose in mind: accompanying other chapters in missions of forgiveness and redemption. This bolstered a sense of greatness upon these astartes, as if they were the judgement and mercy of the Emperor Himself. Although such beliefs are deep in the Dragons' minds and souls, they know that some are too far beyond salvation, and the only mercy the Emperor's warriors can grant those is a quick death.

This order of space marines will create strong bonds with the chapters they once watched over, and will not hesitate to aid their allies if in close proximity.

Chapter Gene-Seed

The Dragons are descendants of the mighty Iron Hands. Because of that, they wield an uncanny affinity with various technologies, which enhances their naval combat capabilities even further. A peculiar fact about them, however, is that, unlike their foster chapter and others from Ferrus Manus' lineage, they despise the replacing of body parts with machines for "improvement", as they consider their bodies a direct gift from the Emperor. When they return from the crusade they are partaking with the Sons of The Emperor, it is very likely that resistance will be seen amongst their ranks against the indoctrination of the Primaris Space Marines.

Deathwatch Service

The Crystal Dragons, as any chapter, are bound to contribute with their numbers to strengthen the Deathwach's efforts in stopping the xenos threats that lurk in the Imperium's borders. Because of their nature as a fleet-based fighting force, yet, they are unable to constantly provide members to the Ordo Xenos chamber militant.

However, once between crusades, the Deathwatch sees its numbers bolstered by an influx of experienced marines from the Dragons, just another proof of this chapter's fierce loyalty to the Imperium.

Notable Members of the Crystal Dragons

Salmos Hunth - Also known as the Great Fang, Salmos is one of the greatest naval tacticians the Galaxy has ever seen. His rational thinking even in front of the direst situations has more than once proved to be the key factor in achieving victory when nothing but loss seemed impossible.
Maerum Blur - The chapter's champion and leader of the Honour Guard, he is a cold, merciless killer in combat, having slain countless enemies in single combat. He is also extremely wise, and a close counsellor to his master.
Typus Felions - Is most commonly referred to as the Golden Fang, Typus is an all-around warrior gifted with quick thinking and fast adaptability to almost any scenario, from the best to the worst. His decisive orders and tactical malleability has transformed him into an inspiring leader, whose glorious deeds and mighty abilities have not passed unnoticed to his superiors.
Hermon Quale - is currently the youngest officer of the chapter. Besides this short time of servitude as company captain, he is already accounted as a very prestigious warrior for his aid in the defense of the Gaping Maw against a Chaos raiding force during the events that followed the birth of the Great Rift.

Chapter Appearance

Chapter Colours

The astartes from the Crystal Dragons chapter go to war in a strong, very perceptive mixture of light-blue and ciane colors. The reason for for the choice of this combination is unknown, but it is probable to simbolyze the chapter's bavery and the invitation of the Imperium's enemies to simple, direct and brutal confrontation.

Chapter Badge

The Crystal Dragons' badge depicts a reptilian, fanged beast of ancient Terra's legend in ciane color. Most of the chapter's armoury will have a name corelated to the monster, such as fang or claw.

Chapter Fleet

The Gaping Maw (Retribution-class Battleship) - This massive battleship is the chapter's main mobile headquarters. It provides shelter for the Crystal Dragon's commanding and specialist officers, as well as to the veteran first company. Whenever a meeting between the chapter's captains is needed, it's in this gigantic war machine that they'll meet.
The Golden Wing (Dictator-class Cruiser) - The Second Company's commanding station, this Dictator-class Cruiser is, roundly, the most battle-hardened ship in the chapter's fleet. Having participated in multiple engagements throughout time, including Abbadon the Despoiler's 12^th and 13^th Black Crusades, Hive Fleet Leviathan, Sautekh Dinasty and Ghazghkull's WAAAGH!.
Shadow Wing (Cobra-class Destroyer) - Perhaps the oldest ship of the chapter besides the Gaping Maw, this destroyer is the tenth company's main operational ship. Full of modifications throughout the chapter's history, it is one of the fastest ships in imperial service, also possessing several cloaking devices that makes its stealthy function even more efficient.

Chapter Relics

Banner of Grace - This banner symbolizes the chapter's commitment to the cause of seeking others' righteous absolution. It is held in the ceremonies that begin and end a penitent crusade, and in battle by Salmos Hunth when the Chapter Master believes the blessing of the Emperor is of utmost importance.
Crystal Blade - This sword is wielded in battle by Maerum Blur when he is deployed alongside his master. Said to contain fragments of a weapon forged by Ferrus Manus' own hands. It is a very resistant blade, having been sharpened only once in the chapter's lifetime.
Rod of Iron - The staff that Cader Yalan uses to chanel his psychic influence over the immaterium. It is said that this uniquely crafted item contains the trophies of several slain warp entities, making it a dangerous tool in the hands of the unprepared.
Faith Scales - This suit of masterfully crafted terminator armor contains several gadgets in it, such as weapon systems, optical sensors and strong energy shields. Anyone in the chapter can use it if deemed worthy of it by the Chapter Master. Usually, however, it stays in the chapter's armoury. The last person to use it was Doran Eveno's predecessor as first company captain.
Golden Claw and Golden Spike - This pair of weapons are wielded by Typus Felions in combat. A masterfully crafted bolter pistol and a combat knife like rome seen before. These itens are adorned with gold markings that honour the Emperor and the chapter's Primarch.

Relations

Allies

The Sons of the Emperor are currently the closest allies of the Dragons, as they are being closely watched by the blue astartes in their penitent crusade. It may be noticed that the Crystal Dragons consider all the previous chapters that they watched over to be their allies, for they have proved worthy of redemption and friendship.

Enemies

These astartes have a special grudge against renegade chapters who turned their back on the Emperor. They may stop for nothing until all are killed, their souls left to His judgement.

Notable Quotes

Feel free to add your own

By the Crystal Dragons