Maroon Hunters

This article, Maroon Hunters, was written by Lune Crackham. Please do not edit or 'acquire' this fiction without the writer's permission.

This article, Maroon Hunters, is currently under active construction. The author, Lune Crackham, apologizes for the inconvenience.

Maroon Hunters
Maroon Hunters' armorial with Chapter iconography.
A Maroon Hunters Battle-Brother of the 4th Company, 6th Battleline Squad.
Space Marine Chapter
Allegiance	Imperium of Man
Founding	26th Founding (738.M41)
Successor of	Jaghatai Khan (White Scars)
Chapter Master	Lord High-Commandant Alpinus Aros
Homeworld	Anotolio (Civilised World; Segmentum Pacificus)
Fortress-Monastery	Blade's Fall
Allies	N/A (yet...)
Number of Marines	~750 (Post-schism)
Specialty	Expeditionary Assaults, Recon, Surgical Strikes, Submissive Operations & Tactical Scouting
Battle cry	"Carry the banner with eternal vigilance! Leave no planet unconquered!"
Colours	Black, Gold and Red
Successor Chapter(s)	Maroon Knights (By schism; all ties severed)

"We fight to live. We live to keep our vigil. We keep our vigil under the watchful eyes and the stoic presence of our father, for he has blessed us with knowledge and called for us to return what we lost in ignorance back onto his fold. We shall embrace knowledge as our own and travel through the darkest corners of the Materium, never ceasing our war to return what's lost. So our father, the Emperor, tasked us with this holy reclamation and so shall we comply. May the father of mankind forgive our ignorance and grant us victory."

—Chaplain Syrus leading a Chapter Prayer.

The Maroon Hunters are a loyalist, 26^th Founding Successor Chapter that descends from the gene-seed of the Khagan, Jaghatai Khan. Founded to patrol the fringes of Segmentum Pacificus and protect it from xenos assaults, the Maroon Hunters have stood compliant to the Codex Astartes and have developed a rather unique culture compared to their primogenitor. A noble and fearsome chapter, they specialize in combating xenos and have adopted expeditionary as well as submissive tactics in order to quickly pacify or conquer a planet. An aggressive chapter when it comes to pacifying xenos, the Maroon Hunters are notorious warriors, fierce combatants and soldiers unwilling to retreat.

The chapter's companies are organized according to Codex Astartes and they do not carry any sort of flaw in their gene seed. However, the chapter has a tendency to keep the places they conquered free from invasion and do their best not to harm the local population. They especially dislike "walk in, burn it, walk out" tactics and prefer to leave a stable ground for the Imperial citizens to prosper on. Thus, they are not as fervent as their primogenitor. The chapter also prefers to keep their colors. Despite countless requests from the Deathwatch, they are rather unwilling to join and rarely sent brothers to the organization, which is seen as a sign of distrust to outsiders but it is actually a desire to maintain solitude. They also have a very strict sense of honor and brotherhood, going as far as to exile those that contradict their philosophy from the chapter.

The chapter, most surprisingly, has also adopted a strange policy towards xenos. A rather "radical" act, they have decided to create domineering relationships with exploitable xenos, such as using them as cheap labor or isolating them and, due to their task at hand, the High Lords of Terra have granted them autonomy regarding this matter as long as the xenos in question are fervently kept in check. The Chapter has also been in contact with and employed many Rogue Traders in their quest for expanding the Imperium's borders, a well-conceived example being the infamous diplomat and explorer Alphonse Schredit.

The Maroon Hunters, however, despite their rather normal appearance, have a very dark secret that stains their honor. They specifically despise the Inquisition and refuse to cooperate with them as much as possible, due to the fact that their first Chapter Master, Lord High-Commandant Chaka, was betrayed and executed by an Inquisitor on charges of chaotic corruption. Killed right before the Reclamation of Anotolio ended with success, the death of their Chapter Master at the hands of an Inquisitor have scarred their belief and trust in the organization. All the more shocking, the next Chapter Master and former 1^st Company Captain, Alpinus Aros, let the Inquisitor walk away freely. In the eyes of the chapter, he did this to not stain the chapter's honor while the reality, known only by Alpinus' closest confidantes, tells of a way darker truth.

Chapter History

Founding (738.M41)

"I see riches and massive machines working in unparalleled harmony. Pacificus... Prosperity, opportunity... But, there is also death! Millions of corpses, all dumped and buried in massive graves... Ravaged riches and oceans of blood! The symbols... They speak of a terrible terror! The message warns and hails us! It asks help from the Imperial Army and the Legiones Astartes!"

—An Imperial Astropath upon receiving the message that ultimately resulted in the Maroon Hunters' creation.

The Maroon Hunters were found in order to investigate a distress signal coming from the far edges of Segmentum Pacificus. Reaching Holy Terra itself and dazzling many within the Imperial bureaucracy, this message was a salutation and a call for aid, describing an entire Sub-Sector in need of help and ripe for conquest. However, said Sub-Sector was deemed lost to the warp during the final stages of the Great Crusade and had apparently reemerged ten millennia later. Wishing to recover the Sub-Sector and ensure that the fringes of Segmentum Pacificus were brought under control, the High Lords of Terra approved the founding of a new chapter and the Maroon Hunters were created as a part of the 26^th Founding. However, in a strange twist of events and despite the process starting relatively earlier, the chapter's creation took far longer than anticipated as a result of their primogenitor's refusal to contribute any manpower to the chapter. Indeed, the White Scars approved the usage of their gene-seed as well the reserves in the Adeptus Mechanicus vaults but flatly refused to spare any manpower to guide the chapter due to their ongoing preparations for the Damocles and the Sabbat Worlds crusades. Thus, the High Lords decided to create only the first batch of the Maroon Hunters with manpower drawn from Solarius, an imperial Hive World located in Segmentum Solar. While this move created a rift between the newfound chapter and their primogenitor that would eventually grow deeper, the strategy still proved to be successful. Thus, as the gene-seed was harvested using test-slaves, painstakingly detailed reviews were conducted by a small group of Administratum adepts to determine the most suitable candidates to be inducted into the ranks of the chapter. It should also be noted that this action also caused the chapter to eventually adopt a concern for structural development and detest scorched earth tactics.

Finally, fifty years later, Maroon Hunters were ready to carry the Emperor's light to the Sub-Sector asking for support. Thus, they quickly traveled to the signal's estimated location and hastily began a campaign of reclamation on the Anotolion Sub-Sector, fighting for 32 solar years to save it from the forces of Chaos and other various xenos that inhabited it. The war proved to be quite exhausting and costly for the chapter as they lost around three companies' worth of battle-brothers during the course of the war but still managed to claim their victory in the end. Thus, they ultimately proved triumphant and carved out a small Sub-Sector consisting of 3 systems. However, this victory came at an even greater cost: Celedes Syla, leader of the Inquisitorial detachment sent to help the chapter quell any dissent, slew their Chapter Master, Chaka Pyron, during the onset of the final victory on charges of chaotic corruption. Thus, with their Chapter Master gone and his killer allowed to walk away freely, the Maroon Hunters were tethering on the brink of destruction. To save the chapter from collapsing and salvage the situation, Alpinus Aros, former Captain of the 1^st Company and the new Chapter Master, decided to send an envoy to the High Lords of Terra in order to calm and clear everything. After all, the chapter had duties that demanded their ultimate attention.

A Catastrophe Averted (770.M41 - Negotiations for Anotolio)

"It is good to see a glimpse of hope in these dark corners of the galaxy, to be honest. I take that it was hard-won?"
"Indeed it was, Rogue Trader. Indeed it was. However, I never noticed you had the capability to perceive such things."
"Bah! Call me whatever you want, but I know the ground I step on. Moreover, I know way too well how people act around things they prize. Your helmets may hide your faces, but seldom your actions."
"Perhaps the Chapter Master was right in choosing you, Schredit."

—Rogue Trader Alphonse Schredit and 1^st Company Captain Altai Agoston, while gazing at Anotolio atop the battlements of Blade's Fall.

Maroon Hunters were ordered to guard the fringes of the Segmentum Pacificus and expand the borders of the Imperium, but how they would carry out this vigil was left to their discretion. Originally planning to act as a fleet-based chapter to avoid the bloating imperial bureaucracy, the death of Chaka Pyron shook the chapter to its very core. Many within the chapter had seen him as a hero and the idea of leaving his corpse, as well as his memory, on a forgotten planet horrified them. Sharing their concern and wishing to establish a permanent base of operations, Alpinus Aros was quick to ask for counsel from their primogenitor, the White Scars. They responded and sent a very small envoy alongside Alpinus Aros' own to Holy Terra for a negotiation. Strictly commanded to remain off-planet in the meanwhile, Alpinus decided to carry on with their duty until the negotiations ended. He had already set his eyes on other systems lost due to warp storms or any other reason, for the new chapter master wanted to create a new Sub-Sector on these forgotten fringes. Indeed, a fierce and charismatic man, Alpinus was intent on turning Anotolio and surrounding systems into a sign of their success and imperial prosperity. All he wanted in return was the acknowledgment of this success by the wider Imperium, which would also calm the chapter itself. If the Senatorum Imperialis were to refuse their proposal, the chapter would still carry out their duty, of course, but Alpinus knew that this would create permanent dissent and bitterness.

Sadly, just as Alpinus had feared, the negotiations were about to break down. The High Lords, torn in between easing their own burden by giving Anotolio to the chapter and directly obtaining the Imperial Tithe from this Sub-Sector to serve other Imperial Organizations, were unable to make a decision. White Scars were quick to back down and, as a result, their emissary hastily departed when tensions first began to flare. To many of the Maroon Hunters, this act was a decisive showcase that they were now alone in the galaxy and their primogenitor was apathetic towards them. Many within the chapter consider this moment as the start of the chapter's deviations from their primogenitor's culture. However, in a manner that can best be described as miraculous, the Inquisition intervened. Inquisitor Celedes Syla had amassed a small congregation of Inquisitors and declared the chapter pure and even blessed for not stopping her from doing her most sacred duties despite the tragedy they had to suffer by her hand. Somewhat touched by her speech, the small congregation of Inquisitors became that simple, albeit necessary, push to tip the balance in the Maroon Hunters' favor. Finally, a compromise was reached upon: The chapter was given Anotolio as a homeworld, with the planet's tithes collected directly by the chapter. Moreover, Maroon Hunters were allowed to expand the then quite small Anotolion Sub-Sector and were only ordered not to expand it into other Sub-Sectors, thus permitting the expansion of the chapter into the fringes of the known Galaxy and even beyond. In their part, the chapter ceded the first three planets in terms of material richness to Adeptus Mechanicus, allowing them to transform those planets into autonomous forge worlds that would supply the chapter and process any extra material they would locate in return. Moreover, they also allowed the formation of Imperial Guard Regiments hailing from the Sub-Sector, armed by the aforementioned Forge Worlds, and agreed to provide a considerable amount of such regiments to the Astra Militarum's service while the rest of those drafted were to either become PDF forces or act as chapter serfs. Thus the Anotolion Protectors were born, regiments that got their name from the Anotolion Sub-Sector, sometimes referred to as the Domain of Anotolio.

Initial Expansion (780.M41)

"The hopes of the Senatorum Imperialis were a lot higher than what was obtained, Lord High Commandant. They decreed that the Maroon Hunters have to advance even further into the unknown."
"Fear not, brothers! We have established a foothold already, all that remains now is to answer the High Lords' call and return what we have lost back to our father's realm! The Domain of Anotolio shall expand further and even further into the regions lost to man! The light of the astronomican, no matter how dim it gets, will face no peril from this frontier as long as we stand!"

—Lord High Commandant Alpinus Aros, addressing Veteran Sergeant Alexius Callus and the Maroon Hunters' inner circle.

Diplomacy ran its course and the Maroon Hunters finally found the time to investigate what they had acquired, sending reports to the Senatorum Imperialis as well: The three systems conquered during their initial campaigns had only four planets that sustained life, one of which was promised to the Adeptus Mechanicus. Anotolio was the most industrialized one, with her habitants being aware of almost all the daily life technologies used within the Imperium, while the rest housed ragtag tribes and small civilizations that were living a pre-industrial life. However, these initial surveys conducted by the chapter gave birth to a marvelous result: An STC (Standard Template Construct) fragment was located on Anotolio, found hidden deep inside a vault that housed the riches of a chaos cult that used to inhabit the planet. This was considered a blessing of the Machine God by the arriving tech-priests and they promised to arm the chapter with the STC's contents in return of the STC itself.

While all these were considered to be a triumph by the Chapter, it wasn't the case for the Senatorum Imperialis. Indeed, the Anotolion Sub-Sector had turned into a minor disappointment for the High Lords, because the abundant riches and imminent danger mentioned by the astropathic message were nowhere to be found. However, the High Lords of Terra knew way too well that a point-blank astropathic message simply couldn't reach Terra and address the Imperium to act. To them, this was proof enough that there was at least something that warranted an investigation. Thus, the Maroon Hunters were ordered to not only guard the fringes of Segmentum Pacificus, but push even further into the unknown, all under the guise of reclamation. Having barely found the time to assess what they had acquired, the chapter was nonetheless more than willing to comply.

With the construction of their fortress-monastery underway, Maroon Hunters immediately began a campaign to expand the Domain of Anotolio. 4^th and 5^th Companies were hastily dispatched to scout for more systems while the 1^st and 2^nd Companies were ordered to hasten the construction process. Alpinus quickly declared Altai Agoston, Captain of the 1^st Company, as his regent in absentia and decreed that the Chapter would immediately start to fortify Anotolio, beginning its transformation into the hub of trade and beacon of hope it is today. However, peace wouldn't find the chapter at that time, for the reports coming from the 4^th and 5^th Companies were describing a new system used as a base by a massive pirate armada. The chapter responded with sending the 6^th and 7^th Companies to the System while consolidating their hold on the Anotolion Sub-Sector. The companies waged war to secure this new system for 20 Terran years, their process slowed down due to warp travel interference as well as the sheer size of the enemy fleets. However, they ultimately prevailed and added a new system into the Domain of Anotolio.

During this wave of expansion, two important events occurred. First, the chapter settled many debates with the Adeptus Ministorum and the High Lords of Terra, finalizing the governing system of the Anotolion Sub-Sector and turning it into a federation in which the Maroon Hunters actually commanded a single planet but were given the right to call upon all the habitable planets within the domain to fight on their side. Secondly, while not as important as it was compared to the other expansion wars, the First War of Expansion caused the Maroon Hunters to locate and secure a former forge world, Aigar, and the chapter gifted it to Adeptus Mechanicus. The almost completely destroyed forge world proved to be a deciding factor in winning the Mechanicus' favor and laid the foundations of a strong bond between the two forces.

Hive Fleet Clemo (800.M41)

"Brothers, we are unable to establish communications with Alpinus and the rest of the chapter but we can't flee and let this threat reach Anotolio. My battle-brothers, death calls for us now! We must handle this problem here and by ourselves! We must stop this xeno horde even if it means making a final stand! We shall carry the banner with eternal vigilance and make sure none shall step on our jewel!"

—Captain Luximus Aphios, Captain of the 2^nd Company, addressing his company aboard his flagship, Anotolio's Fury.

After securing the Aigar System, named in honor of the destroyed forge world of the same name, Lord High-Commandant Alpinus Aros sent the entire 2^nd Company to secure the system completely while the 6^th and 7^th Companies retreated back to the Anotolion System to rest and resupply. Thus, the 2^nd Company and the small Mechanicus force they were tasked to protect hastily translated into the system, unaware of the doom that awaited their arrival. After the Mechanicus began its research and started to assess the planet's status, Captain Luximus Aphios ordered his expeditionary fleet to patrol the system while his battle barge, Anotolio's Fury, remained in Aigar's orbit. The ever-lively captain was not fond of his decision but he had to inspect the reports coming from the 4^th and 5^th Companies while notifying the Lord High-Commandant as well.

However, a short while after their arrival, Luximus Aphios began to receive conflicting reports from the 4^th and 5^th Companies, with forces from different companies reporting different systems as inaccessible because of their navigators being unable to "understand" the warp's tides leading to that system. While interesting, it was not this phenomena that drew the captain's attention. What he found suspicious was that forces from different companies would mark different areas as inaccessible, meaning that a system one company marked as inaccessible would be surveyed by the other company, that would report the system as bereft of all life. Bewildered, Luximus' suspicion reached new heights when a force from the 4^th Company tried to warp travel to the nearest possible location and then use their engines to reach one such system, for they abruptly stopped reporting right before their estimated arrival. Ultimately deciding that this was a sign of trouble, Luximus finally ordered these disputed systems to be mapped out, with the arrival time of such related reports noted down as well.

Lord High-Commandant Alpinus would praise Luximus at least a dozen times for this action, for it revealed a pattern. Indeed, the locations reported as inaccessible appeared to be forming a path, headed directly towards Aigar. Luximus was quick to deduce that there was something approaching towards Aigar that blocked warp travel and immediately ordered his expeditionary fleet to amass around the planet, possibly saving his entire company from pointless destruction with this order, for the true nature of the threat would reveal itself soon after in the form of a small hive fleet. While Tyranids were documented as a species at this point, how to deal with them was not yet mastered and the fact that they were able to block warp travel to the locations they set foot upon was not yet widely known. Thus, Luximus did what he was known for best when he met the approaching hive fleet on the third and farthest moon of Aigar, Aius. He rallied his company and immediately opened fire on the hive fleet, probing them constantly to see their range and staying out of it. He harassed the hive fleet until it passed all the three moons of Aigar and reached the planet itself. Luximus had crippled a considerable portion of the hive fleet by then, but it was obvious at this point that the lives of the techpriests on Aigar were in danger. Not willing to jeopardize his original mission, Luximus ordered his expeditionary fleet to regroup in front of the Tyranid hive fleet and declared a final stand. The hive fleet closed in on the distance and began to tear down the expeditionary fleet apart despite the horrendous damages it suffered.

Meanwhile, on the planet's surface, the techpriests had doubled their efforts and were trying to find a way to help the captain. However, Luximus soon realized that their help would come too late and that some action needed to be taken, for the hive fleet had inflicted serious casualties on his expeditionary fleet. Luckily for him, he had one last card up his sleeve. His flagship, the battle barge Anotolio's Fury, was outfitted with an archeotech missile system attached to its bottom that could relentlessly bombard an entire continent into submission. Luximus gave a grave final command to the remainder of his company: they were to provide covering fire for Anotolio's Fury and deploy any non-essential personnel to the planet in order to minimize the casualties. Luximus then positioned the battle barge so that its bottom would face the hive fleet itself and began bombarding it with the missile system. Understanding their captain's strategy, the remaining vessels complied with his orders. However, after seeing the hive fleet seriously damage the lone battle barge, most of them broke formation and rushed to protect their captain. This was a grievous mistake on their part, for it resulted with the destruction of almost all the vessels in question, save one strike cruiser that was able to reach Anotolio's Fury in time and saved the ship by taking a fatal blow in its place. Still, the remainder of Luximus' fleet was unable to prevent Anotolio's Fury from suffering a horrendous amount of damage and becoming immobilized. Moreover, the missile system had exhausted all the ammunition it had. However, ultimately, the bombardment was successful. The hive fleet was smitten down and was actually vulnerable now because of the main hive ship tethering on the brink of destruction. Luximus, taking advantage of this momentary paralysis, quickly ordered the remaining vessels to hold position while Anotolio's Wrath sent 75% of Luximus' company into the hive fleet, either by teleportation or via drop pods. Their task was simple: understand how this massive mixture of biomass had come to be and then destroy it.

However, this was perhaps the gravest mistake Luximus had made, for while successful in locating and destroying the Norn-Queen and thus shattering the hive fleet, only a single squad managed to return from this suicide mission. Luximus would later admit with shame that he was so afraid of losing the remainder of his expeditionary fleet to confusion that he refused to lead his brothers. With the Norn-Queen dead, the remaining biomass that comprised the hive fleet lost its momentum, gave in to confusion and was easily destroyed by the remaining ships. With their triumph certain, Luximus realized contact was possible once again and immediately notified the Lord High-Commandant Alpinus Aros of the situation. The scene Alpinus saw when he arrived was indeed grave. While the techpriests were left untouched thanks to Luximus' uncompromising stance, almost all of the 2^nd Company was wiped out, with only a dozen battle-brothers remaining. Anotolio's Wrath was immobilized and was in extremely bad shape. It was certain that the battle barge had to be repaired immediately or it would become little more than scrap heap. Moreover, the rest of Luximus' expeditionary fleet was reduced to no more than a couple of light escorts. To ease their pain, though, the techpriests were extremely grateful and the Magos Explorator in charge of the initial expedition was quick to promise that he would handle all the repairs the chapter needed. Ultimately, the attack of Hive Fleet Clemo, as it was later named by the chapter, proved to be the final step in solidifying the chapter's bond with the Adeptus Mechanicus and made sure that the 2^nd Company would not see actual combat again until it was restored to full-strength 40 years later.

A Thwarted Putsch (820.M41)

"Why, brother?"
"Because you are weak, Alpinus. You allowed her, she who killed the best of us, to walk away without any form of punishment! You have been found wanting by all of us, the whole chapter! The only difference between me and the rest of my brothers is that I had the courage to speak up!"

—Alpinus Aros and Renegade Captain Hulagus, just before engaging in a duel to the death.

Roughly 20 years after the incident involving Hive Fleet Clemo, tensions once again flared within the chapter in the form of dissent that arose after the death of their first Chapter Master, Chaka Pyron. While most of the chapter saw him as a hero slain by those he trusted and kept their grievance to themselves, not all of the battle-brothers were happy with letting things slide. Indeed, among those that stood beside Chaka during the campaign to reclaim Anotolio were battle-brothers who saw Alpinus' actions as a form of betrayal and had already damned Celedes Syla as a traitor. Led by Hulaghus Subaday, the disgruntled captain of the 8^th company who had also been in the same position during the Reclamation of Anotolio, these marines planned an assassination attempt on the Inquisitor's life. Their reckoning would come in the form of a message that would either force Alpinus to accept their demands or pave the way for his deposition. Thus, they put their plan into action during the Inquisitor's visit to Anotolio. The conspirators infiltrated the greeting squad and, with the intention of making an example of her, opened fire on Celedes Syla the moment she left her craft while being supported by a single sniper overlooking the landing pad.

However, unbeknownst to them, their plan had been compromised. One of the conspirators who was approached by none other than Hulaghus had decided to report everything to chaplain Syrus Yunus, pleading to repent for his doubts. Listening to his battle-brother's speech until the end, Syrus had not found him wanting and instead enlisted him to handle this matter discretely in order to force the traitor captain to act. Thus, before the sniper could fire the initial killing shot, Syrus' combat knife had already sliced open the traitor's throat. Meanwhile, said battle brother had used his own body as a meat shield and saved Celedes' life by throwing himself to the firing line and returning fire to his confused co-conspirators. Bamboozled, the traitors would take a couple of seconds to comprehend the glowing light formed around the valiant battle-brother, which was a result of the rosarius Syrus had given to him. Before they could act, Syrus also shot down one of them with the sniper rifle he had retrieved and immediately dropped the weapon. With their conspiracy foiled and cover blown, the remaining three marines decided to abort their assault and run back to their leader before things spiraled out of control. However, what they didn't know was that they were already in a race against time, for Syrus had alerted Alpinus against Hulaghus and stopped the conspirators right in front of the captain's meeting room. With the room they were in locked down, it would take Hulaghus some time to destroy the door and barge outside with his command squad, only to be greeted by the chapter's command squad as well as Syrus Yunus, with the three conspirators dead at their feet.

However, despite the eerie silence, Hulaghus did not back down. With a fast move he grabbed Syrus and hastily rammed his combat knife deep into the chaplain's stomach. Tired from the confrontation at the landing pad and having lent his rosarius to the valiant battle-brother who was protecting the Inquisitor, Syrus could barely take a few steps back before the blade struck his abdomen. The chaplain fell down with a single gasp as the rest of the company command squad followed Hulaghus and attacked the chapter's command squad. However, unluckily for them, the chapter's command squad was not exhausted like Syrus and would soon completely wipe Hulaghus' co-conspirators while he was busy crossing blades with Alpinus. With all of the chapter's command squad waiting to lunge at him, Hulaghus still refused to take a step back and challenged Alpinus to a duel to death. Ordering his Chief Apothecary Lockman Vesalius to take care of Syrus, Alpinus accepted his traitor captain's request without a single sliver of doubt.

Thus the two valiant warriors crossed blades as the rest of Alpinus' command squad watched. Whereas Hulaghus would strike surely and without doubt with his power hammer, Alpinus would hastily parry and counterattack with his power sabre. Trading blows in the same fashion until one of them backed down or advanced further, they carried on with this form of combat until Alpinus decided that he had too much and drew out his plasma pistol. Using this crucial opening to his advantage, Hulaghus struck with certainty and, using his weapon's reach, knocked out Alpinus' helmet with a single thrust and then slammed his weapon's pommel into the plasma pistol. Unable to withstand the strike of a power hammer, the plasma pistol cracked and a leak of extremely hot plasma melted down Alpinus' left eye, throwing the Lord High-Commandant into disarray. Gathering all his remaining strength, Hulaghus raised his power hammer as Alpinus tripped down and fell to his knees, desperately trying to recover. His mind racing to get himself out of this situation, the chapter master eventually decided on a daring and extremely risky move. Staring defiantly at Hulaghus, Alpinus took strength from his upper torso and held the approaching blow still with his legs, knowing all too well that a single misstep would not only break his back but also signal his doom. Still, it worked and Hulaghus' arrogance as well as stubbornness proved to be his own undoing, for Alpinus had acquired the perfect angle during this moment of deadlock. Having held his plasma pistol at his grip even after its initial failure, Alpinus threw the malfunctioning weapon at Hulaghus' face and, desperately commanding his muscles to move, threw his combat knife towards it as well. The two weapons locked together almost perfectly right next to the renegade captain's face and what Hulaghus could easily evade became a powerful bomb and the weapon exploded with a massive bang. The blast had destroyed all of the traitor captain's face and the rest of his lifeless body collapsed on top of Alpinus as he lost consciousness.

Coming back to his senses in the chapter's apothecarium, Alpinus would be hastily briefed by Altai Agoston, his regent, about all that had transpired during his recovery. For three complete days, the Lord High-Commandant had been in a recovery coma, treated and monitored by Lockman. His bionic eye would need some time getting used to, but that was only the least of his concerns. While not pressing any charges to the chapter and refusing to alert the wider Inquisition, Celedes Syla had asked for a private audience with the Lord High-Commandant while Altai had taken the liberty of running a thorough investigation alongside the valiant battle-brother, who was also awaiting judgement. Deciding to focus on dealing with Syla first, Alpinus would immediately greet the Inquisitor and brief her with all that was told to him. Celedes Syla would ultimately decree that the chapter at large was not tainted by chaos and the conspiracy Syrus foiled, who also survived the blow he suffered to his abdomen thanks to cybernetic implants and extensive surgery, was merely the bitter result of grief and respite. Reaching a compromise, Celedes Syla would then agree to report this matter without pressing charges in return of a thorough purge that would be conducted by her will and a subsequent oath the 8^th company would take in the form of renouncing all their ties to their former captain and swearing on their honor to not interfere with the business of the Inquisition, whatever it may be. Thus the chapter would undergo a culling that would result in the execution of two dozen battle-brothers, most of which would admit their silence despite knowing of the conspiracy. However, in a merciful move, the valiant battle-brother who saved Celedes Syla's life would be spared and instead granted the captaincy of the 8^th company. However, in agreement with most of the remaining members of his company, he would dub his company as the "Disfavored" and vow to reclaim his company's honor by always seeking the front lines. Moreover, he would also go on to purge all of his past deeds and history from the chapter's records, only handing the final copy to Chief Librarian Jorgus Toogan to lock away in the deepest reaches of the chapter's librarius and adopt the moniker Valoris to signify the beginning of his new life.

Second War of Expansion (830.M41)

"Brothers, hear me and rejoice! Our triumph is a testament to our strength! It is a showcase of our willpower and proof of our merit! It is a blessing from our father and a nod of approval from our Khagan! Thus, let us celebrate! Let us eat, drink and hear tales of conquest and war! Let the feasts begin!"

—Lord High-Commandant Alpinus Aros following his arrival on Anotolio, circa 860.M41.

Perhaps regarded as the peak of the chapter's glory, the Second War of Expansion was a campaign born out of necessity and determination. Indeed, it was mostly a result of the 8^th Company's desire to clear their name and redeem their honor. However, its main cause was the sudden calming of a small warp storm the chapter had charted during the Conquest of Anotolio. Using this as his long-awaited excuse, Captain Valoris immediately petitioned the Lord High-Commandant to lead a campaign of expansion into these new regions. Unlike his expectations, however, Alpinus had little reason to object and 6^th, 7^th and 8^th companies, led by none other than Alpinus Aros, translated into the region alongside a sizeable Adeptus Mechanicus Explorator force as well as the famous rogue trader Alphonse Schredit. All three companies were already familiar with the area surrounding the former warp storm but didn't know what was within, so Alpinus was quick to send the 6^th company to scout the region while the rest of the Maroon Hunters slowly entered the first uncharted system.

Descending on the first planet and starting their campaign to clean it from the Emperor's enemies, the chapter was quick to notice that the planet used to be a former industrial world decimated by strife and chaos cults. Utterly disgusted by such a showcase of disorganization, the chapter was quick to wipe the planet clean of heresy and use it as a forward headquarters until the 6^th company returned from its scouting mission. Meanwhile, no one in the campaign was aware of the troubles that had started to brew within the Domain of Anotolio. It was first whispered in dark alleys, written on dirty pamphlets and preached in underground sewers, but the chaotic cults that had taken root inside the wider Domain of Anatolio had been preparing for a war to reclaim their lost powers and seize the fruits of Maroon Hunters' labor as their own, having found the perfect chance to strike as the Lord High-Commandant had departed his jewel.

The 6^th company's reports were dire but promising. The company was able to identify three new systems worthy of being reclaimed, yet all of them were infested with well-armed cultists. Defaced Aquilas, heretics armed with ancient and rotten imperial army gear and heavily fortified planets, everything the 6^th reported had created more questions than answers. Regardless, Alpinus and Valoris were both more than willing to carry on with the campaign, as securing the fortress planets in these systems would ease the chapter's work in maintaining the Domain of Anotolio. At the risk of spreading their resources extremely thin, Alpinus gave the order to separate the companies and tasked each with conquering a single system.

While the 6^th and 7^th companies faced no immediate problems in complying with their objectives, Valoris had a great deal to prove to his company. Out of that desire, he successfully persuaded Alpinus to hand him the conquest of the third system, which included three heavily fortified planets. Alpinus complied, albeit with a condition: He ordered Coimagnus Cecilius, his most trusted High Chaplain, to oversee Valoris' progress and ensure that Valoris did not act recklessly. With a company lacking in numbers because of Inquisitor Celedes Syla's purges, Valoris set out on his quest of redemption.

The first planet the 8^th arrived was occupied by a Slaneeshi cult, much to the ire of Valoris and his new lieutenants. Valoris personally led his brothers throughout the entire campaign, inspiring valor to all who stood beside him. However, emboldened by Coimagnus' own hatred against Slaneeshi cults, the Disfavored's subsequent purge was utterly merciless as they almost entirely cleansed the misbegotten ilk of the planet. The fortresses the heretics had erected were completely destroyed and the 8^th almost entirely flattened the planet's geography. The planet they purged back then is now only known as Valoria, reborn in the Disfavored's holy fire. Named after Captain Valoris, the planet's former identification as well as any records related to its past were systematically destroyed and it eventually become a peaceful shrine world dedicated to the worship of the God-Emperor, what remained of its population being slowly incorporated into the Imperium's culture. Strangely, Valoris did not suffer the heavy casualties Alpinus expected, which the Lord High-Commanded coined to the High Chaplain's dedication. It was partly so, for it was also the fervent desire Valoris had invoked within the hearts and minds of his brothers that had propelled them to act with a mindset bereft of surrender or mercy.

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Cultist Purges and Inquisitorial Intervention

"The city is still burning? Good!"
"My Lord High-Commandant, how is it good that the city is burning?"
"Because Reimus, if the city is burning, it means that we can still save it. Forward, brothers, double time!"

—Conversation excerpt between Sergeant Reimus of the 2^nd Company and Lord High-Commandant Alpinus Aros.

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Third War of Expansion

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A Shattered Imperium

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Coimagnus' Folly

"My truth is in my blood! It draws strength from my faith! Our brothers will not suffer the heresy you bring in your wake, Alpinus! How can you claim to be the best of us when your very existence spits on both of these values? "

—Coimagnus Cecilius to Alpinus Aros during the Maroon Schism, also known as Coimagnus' Folly.

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Chaos Descends

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The Regent's Sacrifice

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Shatterstorm

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Chapter Homeworld

Anotolio

"A beautiful planet with vast oceans and massive yet calm forests. The people live in a merry manner, on the colossal cities we built and the roads we paved together. It is a paradise for us, a calming sanctuary when required and an impregnable fort when provoked."

— Taken from Alpinus Aros' personal logs.

Departmento Cartographicae pict-file of Anotolio, Chapter Homeworld of the Maroon Hunters Chapter.

Anotolio is a Civilized World on the edge of the Segmentum Pacificus. Having been brought back into the light of the Astronomican by the Maroon Hunters, the planet has since prospered under their rule and became a hub of trade as well as growing industry. With its main exports being only minerals and basic equipment, Anotolio has nevertheless managed to maintain a growing economy and always ensured that it was on a surplus. The planet pays the Imperial Tithe directly to the Maroon Hunters in the form of both manpower and basic workforce as well as food, whereas the chapter allows the planet to export it's products to other systems and planets and even most graciously provides protection in rare cases. The planet is ruled directly by the chapter, with their Chapter Master being the Planetary Governor of Anotolio, also known as the Lord High-Commandant. The people and the Maroon Hunters have formed close ties over time and there is mutual like and respect between the chapter and the people.

Fortress Monastery

"See that big building over there?"
"I'd rather call it colossal. I guess it is where our employers are?"
"That's the Space Marines' fortress-monastery and yes, those big guys in there are our employers. Come now, we have a business to handle!"

— A conversation excerpt between Rogue Trader Alphonse Schredit and Arch-Militant Erika, talking about Blade's Fall as their transport prepares to land into hangar bay 44.

The Chapter has built its fortress-monastery on the spot where their legendary figure, Lord High-Commandant Chaka, died from wounds inflicted by an Inquisitor. A painful lesson the chapter learned from then on was to never trust or underestimate the Inquisition and still Maroon Hunters tangled with the organization a lot after this saddening event. Named Blade's Fall in honor of Chaka's nickname, the Lightning Blade, the fortress-monastery has been built by the cooperative work of the people of Anotolio and the Maroon Hunters. A colossal building that dwarfs all the structures in the entire Anotolion Sub-Sector, the fortress-monastery not only became the new palace of the Planetary Governor, but also the heart of the new Sub-Sector's capital.

Consisting of innumerable rooms, halls, corridors and hangars that handle a wide variety of tasks, Blade's Fall also hides a very dark secret, one that shows the grave truth known only to the Chapter's command squad. Behind numerous secret doors and passageways lies the heart of the fortress-monastery, referred to as the "Blade Room". Within its halls stands 5 stoic Space Marines, the greatest psykers of the Chapter, frozen as if they are in stasis. In a horrifying panoply, 4 of them stand around an altar with fearful eyes and yet decisive reactions while the last one is crouching right next to it, appearing as if weeping below the altar, on top of which lies an ancient blade, with black and chaotic energy constantly dripping from it. It is Lubricanux, the daemon blade once wielded by their Chapter Master, Lord High Commandant Chaka, that drove him insane and ultimately caused his death at the hands of Inquisitor Celedes Syla. It is a stain, a grave error and the bedrock of a lie that plagues the chapter's very core. It is the mirror that allows those enlightened to peek over the artificial truth the chapter has crafted, beyond the heads of those venerating the ones that fell below all as heroes. These battle-brothers standing in the room, however, pay the highest price of all. Their minds are locked in an unending conflict with Lubricanux and thus, are unable to do anything other than holding the daemon within at bay. These mighty heroes are referred to as the "Keepers" and, with their names struck from the chapter's records, protect the indestructible daemon blade and prevent it from acting as a beacon to call forces of chaos forth. It is their eternal solitude and servitude to hide the dark stain within the chapter's core and make sure that the infection does not spread.

Chapter Organisation

Command Ranks

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Veteran Ranks

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Line Formations

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Order of Battle

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Headquarters

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Companies

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Recruitment

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Training

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Chapter Gene-Seed

Maroon Hunters' gene-seed is considered to be stable but, despite their cultural divergence from the White Scars, they still display a small form of ferocity and suppressed rage just like their primogenitor. However, unlike the White Scars, this tenacity manifests itself during peril and when something sacred to the chapter is under threat. Under such circumstances, Maroon Hunters, like the White Scars, are known to falter and sometimes even disregard orders or formations. Whether this is directly tied to the Chogorian Savagery of their primogenitor is not known. However, disregarding the possibility of this connection, the chapter still deals with this quirk like the White Scars, through brotherhood and subsequent watchfulness.

Combat Doctrine

"Hit them hard brothers! Hit them hard and leave none standing! We shall pave roads with their bones and use what's left as bonemeal! None will be left standing! None will oppose us or damage what we shall build!"

—Veteran Sergeant Alexius Callus right before an assault.

Like most of the Space Marine Chapters, the Maroon Hunters are a Codex-Compliant chapter, but they still deviate slightly from the Codex Astartes. Most notable one of these deviations is their overall flexibility and regarding the codex as a guideline instead of a strict set of rules. This is obviously a result of the chapter being tasked with guarding and even expanding the Imperium's reach on the borders of Segmentum Pacificus, making them somewhat reliant on fast strikes and ending a war as quickly as possible. As a result, Maroon Hunters possess a lot more assault bikes, jump packs as well as a lot of small escort vessels compared to other chapters. However, the chapter also lacks a lot of the more exotic weaponry available to other Chapters such as grav weapons, plasma cannons and the like. Indeed, such weapons are a rare sight, since the simply do not possess the capability to access these weapons en masse, and, as a result, those who bear such weapons are seen with great respect within the chapter. Moreover, Maroon Hunters possess a slightly less amount of terminator armor and being rewarded the Crux Terminatus is regarded as a great burden as well as a great honor within the chapter, for the brother who attains this great honor also has to make sure that the armor he wears will not be lost. Failure to do so may even result in exile, which will most likely cause that brother to be sent to the Deathwatch as a punishment.

Lightning War Doctrine

As a result of the aforementioned characteristics of the chapter as well as them being descendants of Jaghatai Khan, Maroon Hunters have developed a new doctrine of warfare exclusive to the chapter. Referred to as the "Lightning War Doctrine", this new doctrine of war is centered around fast and effective surgical strikes when it comes to either policing or invading a planet. Mostly taking inspiration from the "Steel Rain" in the Codex Astartes, the chapter plans daring operations to cripple enemy supplies and/or cause mass confusion so that resistance is softened. The Lightning War Doctrine favors routine and periodical patrols executed as fast and steadily as possible to identify, investigate and quell any and all rising discontent. Moreover, it also favors a similar approach in war, so instead of executing a full-scale planetary invasion that drains their resources, the chapter favors mobile approaches and tactics that will bring them the fastest victory with the least amount of collateral damage. It can somewhat be said that their doctrine uses a lot of "divide and conquer" tactics since they hastily leave a planet they came to conquer after major centers of resistance are neutralized and the heads of their leaders are severed, leaving the rest of the work to any force coming behind them.

Not so strangely for those that have worked with the Maroon Hunters, this doctrine recently began to manifest itself on the Chapter's culture. Since they favor rapid strikes and fast yet efficient responses, some marines began prizing and customizing their Assault bikes and any other piece of equipment that is mentioned in their Doctrine of War, as well as adorning themselves in regalia resembling that of chains and golden tokens to count and remember their deeds past. The fact that their helmets also have lightning insignias like that of the White Scars also shows their reliance on speed just like their primogenitor, but in a more organized manner.

Chapter Culture

"Contrary to our primogenitor, we never viewed them with disdain. No, if anything, we respected them for being granted the honor of wearing the Khagan's badge and colors. However, it was their actions that caused me to reserve this apathetic and uncaring gaze for them. They damned us in our hour of need and, in doing so, forced us to forfeit everything that had tied us to them. In the end, we were born anew as those who looked up to our Khagan without the savage and bestial manner of our primogenitor. Before you say, I also recognize that Chogoris was what made him who he was and so, in turn, yes, we perhaps do criticize the Khagan's actions by not scarring our faces or adopting the tribal ways of Chogoris, but can you say that the White Scars of today pursue the noble pursuits in the manner our primarch has instructed them to do so? I think not, Schredit. As time passes, everything is prone to change without the guidance of the ancestors. What matters to us is that the Khagan's star hunt still continues and we will continue it in the way the events we faced has molded us."

—Lord High-Commandant Alpinus Aros to rogue trader Alphonse Schredit upon being asked the divergent nature of the Maroon Hunters.

Perhaps one of the most iconic aspects of Maroon Hunters is the fact that they diverge considerably from the culture of their primogenitor. Indeed, they have stopped displaying the savage attitudes of the valiant warriors of Chogoris such as collecting trophies from battlefields or the scarification rituals White Scars undertake during their time as neophytes even though they still revere battlefield scars as signs of honor and adorn themselves with various tokens to show their accomplishments. Moreover, they have abandoned naming their companies brotherhoods and stopped using ranks and titles originating from their primogenitor, such as Stormseers, while increasing the amount of dreadnoughts they field and, as a result, completely embraced the Codex Astartes. While this change is the result of a multitude of events, one of them being the fact that Maroon Hunters were raised not in the tribal environment of Chogoris but on Holy Terra and began to recruit from a less feral world, the most common belief is that the result of this divergence resides in the moral dilemma of "looking like what you conquer," for the chapter is tasked with reclaiming and patrolling the fringes of a segmentum and are among the few space marine chapters to face the horrors that lurk beyond the Astronomican's reach. Thus, it is widely agreed upon by imperial historians that they eventually dropped the usage of icons they regarded as a nod to savagery and decided to dedicate themselves to keeping the Khagan's legacy and wisdom intact. As a result, the Maroon Hunters eventually decided to appear as a strong and united force of swift order instead of masking their noble selves with savage icons.

Still, as in many things, what the majority thinks is not entirely true. Yes, it was these conditions that set them down a different path but what caused this idea to turn from a mere whisper into an action was actually a diplomatic betrayal committed by the White Scars during the formation of the Anotolion Sub-Sector in the form of immediate withdrawal and cessation of communications when the negotiations on Holy Terra became intense. To many battle-brothers of the Maroon Hunters, this is still a fresh and bitter memory of betrayal and the chapter is still visibly shaken from this action despite the fact that most of them keep their dissent to themselves. As a result, this betrayal caused the Maroon Hunters to create a self-identity that portrays the chapter as those who are willing to venture into the unknown and face the horrors beyond much like their Khagan, but they all do this while appearing as steadfast, vigilant and wright soldiers instead of decorating themselves in primitive symbols and impractical scars. Moreover, in a move that perhaps diverges even from the Khagan's, they also do this on stage instead of from the shadows, never shying away from defending their achievements. However, the chapter is deep down inside still a White Scars successor and despite these changes, they still maintain two things that set their primogenitor apart from the rest of the former Legiones Astartes: love for lightning assaults and veneration for the Khagan. Moreover, perhaps out of a desire to keep what few ties they have with the White Scars intact or simply as a result of sheer pragmatism, the Maroon Hunters have so far maintained normal relations with their primogenitor and have so far complied with all their requests.

In terms of their own culture, it can be said that the Maroon Hunters have filled this lingering emptiness created from diverging from their primogenitor's culture by mixing the meritocratic and somewhat militant ways of Anotolio with their emerging self-identity. Indeed, the Maroon Hunters have formed close-knit bonds with the people of Anotolio in a very short amount of time and almost all the Anotolions regard them as a manifestation of the God-Emperor's divine will as well as their benevolent protectors while the Maroon Hunters see Anotolio and her people as a jewel they helped polish and thus bestow them a very sacred place. Moreover, the chapter has found obvious similarities between the actions of the late Lord Solar Macharius, who is regarded as a hero within the chapter, and their own duty and thus began to venerate the Saint Lord Solar Macharius alongside Jaghatai Khan and the Emperor as well, spreading his tale of heroism and courage to every planet they conquer as well as incorporating his discipline and military thinking into their strategies.

In terms of similarities, however, there are a couple of distinctive features that evidently show their primogenitor. One such example is their wide utilization of assault bikes and jump packs and the subsequent attachment to such engines of war. It can even be said that battle-brothers of the chapter prize assault bikes over any other gear. In terms of the chapter's inner mechanisms, Maroon Hunters believe that their brotherhood is what makes their chapter strong and that it stretches across companies, thus they find it redundant to identify their companies as brotherhoods. While this is a valid explanation in its own right, the trained and educated eye can easily deduce that this action is a result of the chapter wishing to diverge from their primogenitor's culture. After all, most of the battle-brothers of the chapter treat the White Scars with apathy as a result of aforementioned conditions. However, what they regard as their finest trait, this strong bond of brotherhood, is also their Achilles Heel. Indeed, the chapter has demonstrated several cases of disobedience during such events of duress and battle-brothers may fall prey to these bonds at times, deviating from or even outright disregarding given orders. One such case occurred during the assault of Hive Fleet Clemo on the former forge world of Aigar, when the Expeditionary fleet of Captain Luximus Aphios disregarded orders from their captain to save him and his ship Anotolio's Wrath from apparent suicide and suffered greatly as a result of this action and strained the captain's hand even further. Moreover, these attachments are also prone to be tested and shaken, both of which may yield disastrous consequences.

Strange Relations, Stranger Alliances

"When I first heard the offer, I couldn't believe it! Space Marines, those mighty superhuman warriors, were in need of us mere men! Of course, the pay was extremely good, but I knew that this would be a suicide mission for the poor noble sods that just got their Warrant of Trade. However, I am not some amateur. Fire at will."

—Rogue Trader Alphonse Schredit, right before a xeno tribe is forcefully subjugated via orbital bombardment.

Perhaps considered an oddity by the rest of the Space Marines, the Maroon Hunters have adopted a much more flexible approach when dealing with adventurers like rogue traders. Indeed, the chapter often enlists the help of these individuals for a wide variety of tasks and they mostly handle things that Maroon Hunters can't spare the manpower to do, from simple archaeological expeditions to exploring and subjugating distant worlds. Should they comply and achieve their task with perfection, these rogue traders are then rewarded with wealth, influence and, on very rare cases, uncovered technology or relics. In addition, they can also receive more daring, albeit more rewarding missions from the chapter if they continue to achieve their missions. One such example is the infamous rogue trader Alphonse Schredit, who has turned into one of the most trusted allies of the chapter over years of service.

The chapter also maintains domineering relations with all the docile xenos they encounter, an act that borders heresy in the eyes of some Inquisitors but is specifically permitted by the High Lords of Terra due to the critical position the chapter is in. In truth, this decision is more tactical than merciful. Beset on all sides by horrors beyond contemplation and a task that requires constant contribution, the Maroon Hunters simply cannot spare the resources and manpower to commit xenocide on every planet they set foot on. For this, they mostly isolate such docile xenos they encounter only to either form a symbiotic yet domineering relationship later on or, should they resist, hire a rogue trader to cleanse them while they carry on with their task.

Chapter Beliefs

"Remember Saint Macharius, brothers! During our eternal and grave vigil, let none other than our father, the indomitable God-Emperor who watches us all from his holy sanctum in Terra, be our protector! As the Master of Mankind lights our way, it falls on us to pave the road! As Saint Macharius has shown us, fear is but a reflection of treason! Hence, let none see us waver, let none see us doubt and let none find us wanting! Carry the banner with eternal vigilance and leave no planet unconquered! May the God-Emperor protect us with his eternal grace!"

— High Chaplain Coimagnus Cecilius addressing the 4^th Company.

In terms of beliefs and faith, the chapter command has adopted more of an uncaring attitude. The chapter itself maintains a strict sense of brotherhood and have a strong martial culture, but belief in the Imperial Truth or the Imperial Creed is a matter of controversy. While it is obviously true that the mighty superhuman warriors of the Adeptus Astartes need not the blinding dogmas of faith to keep their desire to fight strong, unlike what can be referred to as most, if not the rest, of the Imperium, the fringes of the astronomican and the horrors that lurk beyond can be very convincing. Indeed, the chapter may not venerate the Emperor as strongly as the Black Templars, but they still do not refuse to worship him entirely like some other chapters. It can be said here that there exists a rather strange form of divergence inside the chapter, as while the Maroon Hunters venerate the Emperor in a far stronger manner compared to many other chapters, there exist certain brothers who have grown quite attached to the Imperial Cult out of fear, hope or maybe even a desire to be mentally stronger. These brothers often find comfort in the guiding hands of the Chaplains, most of whom venerate the Emperor to those that do not believe the Imperial Cult and provide soothing prayers of his divinity to those who do.

While there is a considerable portion of Maroon Hunters that follow the Imperial Creed, the chapter still deviates from what most of the Ecclesiarchy considers as normal. The most obvious example to this deviance is the Chapter's veneration of Saint Macharius and the subsequent fervent desire to educate the masses they bring into the Imperium's fold about this remarkable man. Indeed, those who are considered as followers of the Imperial Cult have also taken further interest in Saint Macharius and while the chapter as a whole tries to represent him as a great man, the more faithful brothers also mention the entire Imperial Pantheon of unnumbered saints and their miracles while talking about Macharius, even venerating him for showing the courage to carry a task similar to theirs while possessing only the capabilities of a mere man. Sadly, however, recent events and situations the chapter has faced strained the relations between those battle-brothers who worship the Emperor of Mankind and the ones that are less attached to the Imperial Cult. There is not yet a schism inside the chapter because most chaplains tend to both the needs of the faithful and the uncaring but many fear that this lack of stance will prove disastrous in the end. However, the Chapter Master has left the matter as it is and instead diverted his attention into dispelling the crises at hand. What he does not know, however, is that these crises will only stack up.

Deathwatch Service

"I took my original vigil was on a planet far from this rotten hellhole. It was to protect a paradise where rivers flowed and plants grew with ease. It was on a planet whose people were stern yet caring, her blue skies filled with hope. My brothers and I called it our jewel and now, it is little more than a distant memory. However, I will return. I will see Anotolio again! I will not die inside this downtrodden hellhole of a planet! Each and every one of us will see the grace of our chapters and feel the might of all that we fight for once more! Follow me brothers, battle calls!"

—Veteran Sergeant Lazarus, leader of Kill-Team Chimaera, addressing his kill team before assaulting a Tyranid-infected world.

The Maroon Hunters, perhaps out of a general distrust towards the Inquisition, have rarely sent out their own to the Deathwatch. While most believe this is a sign of general distrust, that is only half the truth. It is true that the chapter distrusts the Inquisition and all the organizations under it, but the reason why they rarely send Space Marines to the Deathwatch also lies in their isolated and close-knit culture. Still, those few they send are often the most seasoned veteran battle-brothers that have seen countless xeno species and covered with the means of subjugating or eradicating them all. Moreover, those who take up their vigil on the Deathwatch also discard their original names and adopt nicknames, signifying their change and showing their distrust of outsiders, for the battle-brothers of the chapter regard their names to be weightless beyond their domain.

Notable Campaigns

"Let the hammer of unending war rust and all you shall hear will be the horrendous laughter of disgusting monsters as they install a twisted, cruel mandate on our father's work."

—Attributed to Lord High-Commandant Alpinus Aros.

Founded in 738.M41 as part of the 26^th Founding, Maroon Hunters seized the initial 3 Systems of the Domain of Anotolio in 770.M41, and the High Lords of Terra formally granted them Anotolio as their homeworld in 780.M41. Thus began the saga of the Maroon Hunters. Their heroics and legends, all filled with conquest, soon inspired many tales, ballads and even folk stories. While it is almost impossible to document all of such battles and conflicts, Maroon Hunters still maintain impressively detailed archives and, as a result, some of the most important campaigns the chapter participated in can be clearly described below:

• Initial Expansion (780.M41-800.M41): The chapter begins their initial expansion into the edges of Segmentum Pacificus and captures an almost destroyed forge world referred to as Aigar. They gift it to the Adeptus Mechanicus to earn their favor.
• Hive Fleet Clemo (800.M41): The 2^nd Company is sent to the former Forge World of Aigar to help the Adeptus Mechanicus Explorator heading towards the planet. However, a small hive fleet is discovered to be heading towards Aigar as well and the Captain of the 2^nd Company, Luximus Aphios, slowly wears them out after their arrival to the Aigar system but can’t stop it from reaching to the planet. The captain then orders a final stand and manages to shatter the hive fleet at terrible cost. He then orders almost all of his company to board the remaining vessels and destroy them. What follows turns out to be a bloodbath and despite destroying the hive fleet by killing the Norn-Queen, almost all of the 2^nd Company is wiped out.
• A Thwarted Putsch (820.M41): Unhappy with how Chaka’s killer was allowed to walk freely, the captain of the 8^th company, Hulaghus Subaday, leads an assassination attempt against Celedes Syla and a subsequent putsch against Alpinus. However, thanks to the defection of a former conspirator, Chaplain Syrus Yunus manages to barely prevent Syla’s assassination and helps Alpinus confront Hulaghus. However, despite their victory against the traitor captain and his survival, Alpinus loses his left eye and Syrus is gravely wounded by a deep abdomen wound inflicted by Hulaghus. Celedes Syla then agrees to report this matter to the Inquisition without pressing charges in return of a thorough purge conducted by her will and a subsequent oath the 8^th company will take in the form of renouncing all their ties to their former captain and swearing on their honor to not interfere with the business of the Inquisition, whatever it may be. Thus the chapter undergoes a culling that results with the execution of roughly two dozen battle-brothers and most admits their silence despite knowing of the conspiracy. However, in a merciful move, the valiant battle-brother who saved Celedes Syla's life is spared and instead granted the captaincy of the 8^th company. He renounces his old name and destroys almost all records of his past deeds and adopts the moniker Valoris.
• Second War of Expansion (840.M41-865.M41): The chapter decides the time is right for a second war to expand their domain and wages a costly albeit extremely successful war, bringing three entire systems back into the Emperor’s light. However, their triumph and celebrations are cut short when the news of a massive rebellion reaches them.
• Cultist Purges and Inquisitorial Intervention (865.M41-900.M41): Reports of cults rising up across all of the Anotolion Sub-Sector causes the chapter to cut all the celebrations following the Second War of Expansion short and spend a considerable amount of time to crack down on any dissent. The trail eventually leads to a minor chaos warband that the chapter wipes out. The Importance of these series of events is that it causes the wider Inquisition to intervene and the chapter then goes through a race against time and tries to root out any form of dissent from all the planets in their domain before fleets of the Inquisition arrive to inspect them. At great cost, reckless manslaughter, constant xenocides and unforgiving crackdowns, they manage to save most of the planets in the Domain of Anotolio, with only three of them being subjected to exterminatus. Moreover, it soon becomes apparent that the way these crackdowns are made varies considerably between companies, signaling the upcoming divide and schism within the chapter.
• Third War of Expansion (975.M41-999.M41): The chapter unleashes a third war to expand their domain and manages to bring one final system back into the Emperor’s light before Cadia falls and the Cicatrix Maledictum is formed. Caught in complete disarray despite not being in the Imperium Nihlus, the chapter nonetheless spends some time re-establishing communications and many of the scouting forces are lost as the light of the Astronomican grows even dimmer. Eventually Lord High-Commandant Alpinus Aros manages to gather most of the chapter in the Anotolion System and declares a state of emergency, deciding to hunker the chapter down in Anotolio until the situation can be properly assessed. Unbeknownst to him, however, dissidents within the chapter and the Anotolion Sub-Sector regard this as an omen to their righteousness and their leaders deem that it is the flawless opportunity to seize and the perfect time to strike.

Notable Maroon Hunters

Current Personnel

• Lord High Commandant Alpinus Aros: The Chapter Master of the Maroon Hunters, Alpinus Aros is best described as a daring warrior and an adventurous commander. Notorious throughout the entire Anotolion Sub-Sector for his overly charismatic and sometimes even flamboyant appearance as well as his fiery attitude and even fierier speeches, Alpinus is a strong willed individual who prefers unity over fear and scrutiny. Having been a man of compassion long since his ascension to the rank of Chapter Master, Alpinus Aros has done many things with his inspirational speeches and brilliant intellect, most notably saving the Maroon Hunters after they came to brink of being shattered, due to the unimaginable death of his predecessor, Lord High Commandant Chaka Pyron. He was one of the key reasons why Anotolio prospered and the entire Sub-Sector became a hub for those interested in venturing beyond the limits of the known Galaxy, mostly in the name of conquest and reclamation, all testaments to his diplomatic skills and charisma. In combat, while Alpinus is not as good as Chaka when it comes to melee, he still has the training of an Astartes and instead excels in the use of Assault Bikes, which is a trait he picked up thanks to the Chapter's war doctrine. Moreover, while their connection with their primogenitor White Scars is not as strong as other chapters, it was still their connection to the Khagan that made Alpinus and the rest of the Chapter a strong proponent and executor of their own "Lightning War" doctrine. In war, the Lord High Commandant wears the Armor of Vigilance, a heavily-modified relic Mark IV Maximus Power Armor, while carrying his master-crafted power sabre "Khagan's Wrath" as well as his relic volkite serpenta "Remembrance", which he recovered during the Second War of Expansion.
• Captain Altai Agoston: The stoic captain of the 1^st Company, who used to be a veteran sergeant before Alpinus' ascension to the rank of Chapter Master, Altai Agoston is a man associated with discipline within the chapter. As stoic as calm, Altai is a man of reason, deduction and understanding. Some claim that such traits are redundant in a chapter whose purpose is to strike as fast as possible and leave immediately, but Altai knows better. He knows that from the horrors of the Tyranids, the madness that is chaos and the randomness that are the Orks that what they gain needs to be held with strength, reason and unity. Thus, he commands the 1^st Company as the bulwark of the sector, tending to the wounds of the reclaimed planets and uses the fact that most of his company wears terminator armor to his advantage, forming impressive lines of defense against those who try to harm what the Maroon Hunters have obtained. Dubbed by his fellow captains as the "Bulwark of Anotolio", he indeed lives up to the title. In combat, Altai uses a relic power sword alongside his bolt pistol but does not wear the terminator armor that which adorn his brothers, for he believes that he has to react as quickly as possible to not only be the bulwark that protects the Sub-Sector, but also the bulwark that stands in between their brothers and whatever madness this Galaxy throws at them.
• Captain Valoris: Valoris is the silent and glory-seeking captain of the 8^th Company. Born with a different name that once stroke terror into the fiercest of foes, Valoris has decided to cast his name and deeds aside following his entanglement with his predecessor Hulaghus Subaday's putsch and don his current nickname. He further on swore an oath of repentance alongside what's left of his company and has been seeking some form of atonement by leading his company from one war zone to the other ever since. A devoted marine of the chapter, Valoris' devotion to Alpinus and the Maroon Hunters is only eclipsed by his respect for the Imperium and the Inquisition. Indeed, Valoris is an oddity inside the chapter, for Hulaghus' putsch attempt made him respect the Inquisition greatly and appreciate its duty more than most. In combat, he wields a master-crafted power sabre called Repentance while using a relic combat shield that he refers to as the Shield of Loyalty. He also dons the artificier power armor Projection of Dignity which is forged specifically for him in accordance with the order of Inquisitor Celedes Syla and by the best techpriests she could find.
• Chief Librarian Jorgus Toogan: ...
• Chief Apothecary Lockman Vesalius: ...
• High Chaplain Coimagnus Cecilius: Coimagnus Cecilius is the flamboyant and fiery High Chaplain of the Maroon Hunters. A man who embodies the idea of delivering fiery and encouraging speeches on all the battlefields he steps on, Coimagnus is one of the most stern defenders of the Emperor of Mankind's ascension to godhood. Indeed, his litanies and prayers are filled with words venerating and ordering the worship of the ultimate defender of mankind. However, despite his flamboyant and fiery speeches, Coimagnus is viewed with controversy among those within the chapter that do not believe in Emperor's ascension to godhood. While he still tends to all of his brothers' needs, as he feels oblidged to do so out of the strong sense of brotherhood within the chapter, most of the brothers that do not accept Coimagnus' ideas instead confer to other chaplains such as Syrus Yunus.
• Chaplain Syrus Yunus: As opposed to High Chaplain Coimagnus' beliefs that support the Emperor's ascension to godhood, Chaplain Syrus stands firm on his views that their father, the Emperor of Mankind was a victim of ignorance and superstition. He fervently preaches his brothers litanies of vigilance and strength, all the while specifically refraining from calling the Emperor a god. A man best described as vigilant and strong, just like his litanies, Syrus is made chaplain not because of his flamboyant appearance or rousing speeches like Coimagnus, but because of his willpower. Indeed, Syrus has, more than once, stood defiantly and quietly in the presence of horrors that would even cause the strongest of Space Marines to whisper a silent litany. He knows when and how to speak, inspiring his brothers with his actions as well as his seldom spoken yet extremely effective speeches. Moreover, Syrus Yunus is in possession of a copy of the Imperial Truth, a secret he hides from both the Imperium and the chapter in fear of his more fanatical brothers.
• Veteran Sergeant Alexius Callus: The passionate, energetic and hilarious veteran sergeant of the 1^st Company's 4^th Tactical Squad, Alexius Callus is an unusual Astartes, to say the least. Always the first to delve into battle and the last to get out, which ironically is the reason why he became a veteran sergeant, Alexius is known to joke, laugh and even deliver speeches during battle. He claims most of these come from his desire to bolster his brothers' morale by any means necessary, be it a war cry or a suicidal charge. Thus, it can be said that Alexius Callus is the perfect representation of the brotherhood within the chapter, leaving no brother behind no matter what and always leading by example. However, his reckless attitude is his own undoing, for Veteran Sergeant Callus has lost a lot due to his countless suicidal acts. Indeed, Alexius lacks his right arm and left eye while grotesque scars adorn the entirety of his superhuman body. Still, he keeps on fighting. Still, Alexius stands and holds the line. Reckless, hilarious and compassionate, he is a caring Space Marine, one who knows what he fights for and with whom he fights alongside, for he has sworn to commit his entire life to the survival of them both. In combat, Alexius wields a Power Sabre (a new pattern of power sword created in the Anotolion Sub-Sector) and a plasma pistol.
• Master of the Fleet Seyrus Asurbeg: Seyrus Asurbeg is the chapter's current Master of the Fleet and is considered as the most experienced naval commander the chapter has ever seen. A prodigy among his peers as well as a genius when it comes to void combat, Seyrus is best defined as confident, adaptive and somewhat merciless. Indeed, Seyrus most often shows his enemies respect but he rarely grants them mercy and often opts in favor of annihilating those who muster the courage to face him in the field of battle. If a commander manages to astonish Seyrus greatly, however, he then documents that person and keeps detailed files on such people he deems interesting, studying their tactics and battle acumen. He also maintains a fervent loyalty to the people of Anotolio and most often ensures that any form of pirate that dares to cross into the Anotolion System quickly meets a gruesome and unforgiving end. While his peers regard this as needles bravado and cruelty, those who serve alongside the experienced and old Master of the Fleet know way too well that not only his cruelty stems his confidence despite his age but also is actually a reflection of the caring and devoted man within. He wears an artificer armor dubbed the Armor of Sunless Seas and wields a relic grav-pistol called the Tides of Fate.

Former Personnel

• Lord High-Commandant Chaka Pyron: Chaka was the first Chapter Master of the Maroon Hunters, having been chosen thanks to his quick thinking and charisma. A warrior of immense power, Chaka was nonetheless a desperate man. Dubbed "the lightning blade" thanks to his speed and proficiency with swords, Chaka preferred using short range weapons and getting into melee combat as fast as possible. A mighty warrior and leader, he led through the front lines, always thinking ahead and planning to advance even further, as well as being a stubborn commander and having complete faith in his plans. When tasked with retaking the Anotolion Sub-Sector, which had recently re-emerged after being lost during the Great Crusade, he set out to achieve this task. He led the chapter through the 32 year long campaign, capturing the first 3 of the 8 systems that now comprise the Anotolion Sub-Sector. Nevertheless, dark gifts he had brought with him thanks to his desperation eventually became his downfall as he was slain by Inquisitor Celedes Syla after he confessed the corruption that overtook him thanks to wielding Lubricanux, a mighty power sword which housed the essence of a greater Daemon of Tzeentch. Nevertheless, his corruption was hidden from the rest of the Maroon Hunters and he eventually became a figure of inspiration and veneration within the chapter.
• Chief Librarian Kyron Erhand: Kyron was the Maroon Hunters' Chief Librarian, a man with legendary psychic powers. He fought alongside Chaka as the Maroon Hunters reclaimed the Anotolion Sub-Sector, only to learn the truth behind the power of his friend and leader. A stoic and farsighted individual, he nevertheless had his suspicions, so he secretly sealed the command bunker when Chaka called him and all the command squad, as well as young Alpinus and an Inquisitor to meet with him on the onset of what he had considered total victory. There, with the truth uncovered, he fought against his possessed friend, eventually managing to slay him alongside Alpinus and Celedes Syla. Taking Lubricanux with him, he roamed Anotolio for a couple of years in disguise as many thought that he was incinerated to death, since it was what Alpinus had told them. He carried the blade with vigilance and did his best to keep it in check, albeit it was too powerful to be destroyed. Called back by the new Chapter Master Alpinus, he placed Lubricanux on the Blade Room and valiantly sacrificed himself when he saw that the daemon inside was trying to create an illusion of Chaka, giving the librarians within the Blade Room the perfect opportunity to trap it. It is unknown if his soul has perished inside the blade or locked in a battle with the greater daemon inside, but his body had remained collapsed near the altar ever since, appearing stoic and stationary.
• Captain Hulaghus Subaday: Formerly known as the "Whip of Anotolio" for his effective yet brutal campaigns of pacification, Hulaghus was the captain of the 8^th Company. An ancient by all rights, he was among the very few space marines to have seen the entirety of the Conquest of Anotolio and prided himself for standing shoulder to shoulder with Chaka Pyron, the first chapter master of the Maroon Hunters. However, despite such a long career, he disgraced himself in the eyes of the chapter and the rest of the Imperium by planning an assassination attempt on Inquisitor Celedes Syla's life as well as leading a subsequent putsch attempt against Lord High-Commandant Alpinus Aros, backed by his company's command squad. However, thanks to Chaplain Syrus Yunus' intervention, his plot was foiled and co-conspirators were slain. Outmaneuvered, Hulaghus challenged Alpinus to a duel to the death as a final resort and met his end at the hands of the chapter master shortly after gouging out Alpinus' left eye. While those under his command saw Hulaghus as an extremely thoughtful yet demmanding commander, he was also quite vocal. Indeed, the traitor captain was extremely wary and distrustful towards outsiders and voiced his concerns and thoughts with a total disregard towards his environment. In battle, Hulaghus wore his Mark VIII artificer armor Pride of the Khagan and wielded a master-crafted power hammer which he named Weeping Fury. After his death, both of these pieces of equipment were taken into the chapter armory and never saw light until the Schism unleashed by Coimagnus Cecilius.

Chapter Armory

Power Sabre

The power sabre is a recently developed pattern of the power sword which is a result of the chapter's ingenuity as well as the recovery of a Standard Template Construct (STC) on Anotolio shortly after its reclamation. Handed over to Adeptus Mechanicus as a means of attaining their favor once their fleets arrived on the Anotolion System to start the Omnissiah's work, the STC's contents were promised to the chapter as a means of compensation. In the end, the investigation of the STC revealed a power sword template, one that was a lot easier to produce with less materials with slightly less powerful thrusting capability. Indeed, this pattern appeared to be most useful when swung with high velocity, which was obviously very fitting to the Maroon Hunters' doctrine of war. The weapon saw mass production and has gradually replaced the usage of other power swords within the chapter, with only a handful of brothers staying true to the original Astartes power sword pattern. On a side note, one of those Maroon Hunters is Altai Agoston, Captain of the 1^st Company.

Chapter Fleet

The Maroon Hunters specialize in surgical strikes and expeditionary assaults and thus, the chapter maintains a strong naval presence mostly comprised of escorts and strike cruisers. Nevertheless, the chapter still bolsters rather slower vessels like battle barges as well but these are mostly used for patrol and guard duties. Interestingly enough, the chapter has a slight deviance from Codex Astartes when it comes to void combat. Indeed, the chapter promotes a battle brother who excels in void combat as a Master of the Fleet instead of granting the title directly to the captain of the 4^th Company. Moreover, the chapter fleet is broken up into Expeditionary Fleets, with each of the Captains being in command of a single expeditionary fleet. There is also the Guardian Fleet which guards Anotolio and is led by the aforementioned Master of the Fleet.

Flagships

• Gloria (Battle Barge): The flagship of the Chapter Fleet as well as the Guardian Fleet, and a renowned engine of war, Gloria is a jack of all trades, featuring a good balance between short and long ranges. Heavily modified to be extremely fast yet durable, she is a true force of destruction under the command of the daring Master of the Fleet, Seyrus.

• Vigilance (Battle Barge): The flagship of the 1^st Expeditionary Fleet, Vigilance is an extremely durable Battle Barge, being modified to take even the most perilous amounts of damage and yet function. Under the command of the Chapter Master, Lord High-Commandant Alpinus Aros, Vigilance is most notorious for its deadliness at short range.

• Anotolio's Fury (Battle Barge): The flagship of the 2^nd Expeditionary Fleet, Anotolio's Fury is under the direct command of the fiery and passionate Captain Luximus Aphios, Captain of the 2^nd Company. Designed to be a ship specializing in expeditionary missions, Anotolio's Fury bolsters a higher amount of carrying space as well as the capability of unleashing deadly planetary bombardments, thanks to its archeotech missile system.

• Chimaera (Battle Barge): Commanded by the cold and calculative Captain of the 3^rd Company, Thairos Doira, Chimaera is the flagship of the 3^rd Expeditionary Fleet. A Battle Barge capable of faster movement, Chimaera is also outfitted with an extra engine room and prominent long range weaponry. Trusting on the fleet's escorts to handle short range, Chimaera focuses on long range instead, taking advantage of it's capability to maneuver faster compared to most other ships.

• Dominator (Strike Cruiser):...

• Admonitor (Strike Cruiser):...

• Constrainer (Strike Cruiser):...

• Cor Fortium (Strike Cruiser):...

• Prominence (Strike Cruiser):...

• Audax (Strike Cruiser):...

• Tempest (Strike Cruiser):...

• Raptor (Strike Cruiser):...

Escorts

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Chapter Relics

Lubricanux

"Death... The blade claws for freedom, waiting... Price to pay... A great tear, wailing and screeching like a crippled mother standing next to her dead children. Cries... Shrieks... Spit out dead bodies! Curse images and alter reality... Time is no more. The tear can't be prevented! It... weeps?"

—Record excerpt of the keepers revealing a prophecy, the fourth known incident of such kind, circa 997.M41.

The daemon blade wielded by the Maroon Hunter's first Chapter Master Chaka, which was given to him by an unknown Inquisitor struck from Imperial Records. The blade is an artifact of immense might and power, for it carries the essence of a Greater Daemon of Tzeentch. The blade powers itself through the willpower of the wielder, acting as a mirror of the wielder's charisma and willpower, granting them various abilities based on their personality as well as skill. Yet, the blade has a mind of its own and a grave cost for its gift. The daemon within grows when the blade is used, draining its wielder's willpower and strength. Eventually, it becomes stronger than the wielder and the wielder has no choice but to rely upon it, lest they risk losing their power and reveal the blade's true nature. The blade eventually drains the wielder entirely, absorbing the wielder's soul and adding it to its own power.

It was this blade that doomed the first Chapter Master of the Maroon Hunters, for he held it within his grasp throughout the Reclamation of Anotolio, never leaving it behind. Yet, under the sight of the chapter's old Command Squad as well as the 1^st Company Captain Alpinus Aros and Inquisitor Celedes Syla, he confessed the truth as the final war drifted towards a victory and declared that the blade had taken all that he had from him. He begged them to kill him in order to stop Lubricanux. The Daemon, on the other hand, responded with easily taking over his body, turning Chaka into his pawn. Caught off-guard, all the remaining marines fought the daemon in the forward command bunker of the Maroon Hunters, which was sealed off by the Chapter's Chief Librarian Kyron who had foreseen the grave truth. From the 11 Maroon Hunters inside, only Kyron and Alpinus survived as Syla delivered the final blow, freeing Chaka's soul for a brief time, who muttered in his last breath that he had to use the blade in order to save Anotolio and that with his fall, the victory was complete.

However, his mistake was soon realized. The blade, having entirely absorbed Chaka's soul, now called for Kyron, entering the librarian's mind and taunting him to wield it. The librarian did so, only to keep the blade in control. With the command bunker unsealed, Alpinus and Kyron secretly fled the scene and left Syla to deal with the arriving Maroon Hunters. Kyron had to spend the entirety of his strength to maintain the blade's anger and keep its powers in check. Alpinus, on the other hand, was quick to fake an arrival on the scene and save Syla from an execution. He then became the second chapter master.

For a couple of years Kyron roamed Anotolio, disguising himself as many things and waiting for the call from Alpinus. The call eventually came after a couple years and Kyron returned to the place where Chaka fell, only to see the half-completed fortress-monastery standing in its place. Through multiple secret corridors he was taken into the blade room where Alpinus reintroduced him to the 4 most prominent librarians of the chapter, all being his fellow comrades and aware of the truth. Kyron then placed Lubricanux in the altar. Backing away, he joined the librarians as they spent their combined power to destroy the blade, something Kyron alone had failed. The blade, however, resisted easily and only taunted them to carry on.

As it formed a look similar to that of Chaka, Kyron realized the grave reality: The blade was harnessing their power and using it to materialize itself with the appearance of Chaka. Charging forth, he dispersed the appearing body and merged his essence with the blade, spending his last power to enter Lubricanux. The other four librarians, understanding the opening provided to them, channeled their own powers to trap the Daemon instead. Their minds taken into the blade, all the four librarians froze, deadlocking Lubricanux, themselves and Kyron in an unending psychic warfare. With Kyron's body positioned near the altar, all the figures have stood stoic ever since.

However, in extremely rare occasions, these Keepers actually talk, speaking of wild prophecies and precious pieces of information. Only the chapter's Command Squad is aware of this room and even then, they can only enter alongside Alpinus. With the blade neutralized and the taint within the chapter kept in check, it became Alpinus' duty to hide the reality from his brothers.

Chapter Appearance

Chapter Colors

The Maroon Hunters primarily wear crimson colored power armor, with the exception of their backpack, wrist, belt, right poleyn (knee guard) and sabatons (foot armour), which are painted jet black. The Astartes of this Chapter also wear golden colored helmets. Captains use laurels and a skull insignia to show their rank and seniority while sergeants only use a skull insignia instead. Their soft armor is painted golden yellow, the same color of their helmets. If there is an Aquila on their chest, it is painted golden yellow, and if there is an Imperialis symbol instead, the skull is painted bone grey and the wings are painted golden yellow as well.

However, despite this unique colour scheme, the Maroon Hunters like showing signs of individualism as they are known to paint their armour, helmets and belts various colors, even adding other sorts of decorations to them. While they do not like displaying parts of their defeated foes on their armor like the White Scars, a practice they outright consider disgusting, they still nonetheless mostly adorn their armor with small trinkets or items of sentimental value, such as medallions, fetishes or bits of armour of worthy enemies.

As a Codex-compliant Chapter, the Maroon hunters display the usual markings and colours per the dictats of this massive guide. However, they do so in a unique way, similar to their fellow Scions of the Khagan Chapter, the Rampagers. The colour of the left poleyn (knee guard) indicates company assignment, in accordance with the dictates of the Codex Astartes -- i.e. White (1^st Company), Yellow (2^nd Company), Red (3^rd Company) and Green (4^th Company), etc.

A white coloured squad specialty symbol stenciled on the right poleyn or outer right greave indicates an individual battle-brother's assigned operational specialty - Battleline, Close Support, Fire Support, Veteran or Command. A white roman numeral stenciled on the right armorial indicates squad assignment.

Chapter Badge

Chapter badge of the Maroon Hunters.

The badge of the Maroon Hunters is similar to that of an Aquila, with a dark sword on its center. The blindness of the Aquila signifies that the chapter has no light to look at, a reference to the state of the astronomican in the corners of known space, and the black sword in the middle signifies that they will fight nonetheless, by any means necessary.

However, to those in the chapter's command squad, it also has a way darker meaning. The blindness of the Aquila signifies their ignorance when it came to the corruption of their former Chapter Master Chaka and the black blade in the middle is their curse, the daemon sword of Lubricanux, hidden deep inside the chapter's fortress-monastery. To them, the existence of Lubricanux is a disaster they were unable to prevent and thus, they had to shame themselves for an eternity by shielding the daemon blade from the rest of the Galaxy. They fight for the Imperium, yet they are also the vigilant protectors and keepers of the daemon blade, lest it's corruption spreads to the entire Sub-Sector. They are fierce warriors, yet warriors betrayed from the beginning, and now, they have to hide and still carry the scars of betrayal deep down inside in order to shield humanity and their Sub-Sector from this grave threat.

Relations

Inquisition

"The Maroon Hunters... Well, apprentice, it is a complicated business, to say the least. Their leaders are cooperative and extremely valuable assets, but the rest of them treat us all with scorn. Scorn we do not deserve, aye, but it is scorn we have to keep intact."

—Inquisitor Celedes Syla summarizes the relations between the Maroon Hunters and the Inquisition to Acolyte Laesus.

The relations between the chapter and Inquisition are both strained and complicated, primarily because of Inquisitor Celedes Syla's involvement with the death of Lord High-Commandant Chaka Pyron. However, despite such a tragedy, captains and the command squad of the chapter treat Celedes Syla and the rest of the Inquisition with either apathy or respect. For the captains, it a result of honor and duty while the matter is much more complicated for the command squad, as they know the true reason of Syla's actions and how right they were. The rest of the chapter follows suit, refraining from talking or acting against the Inquistion in public but most of the battle-brothers hold silent grudges as a result of not knowing the truth about Chaka's fall and remembering him as a hero and legend. Moreover, they rarely send members to the Deathwatch and most see such duty a burden instead of an honor because of the chapter's strong ties of brotherhood as well as most of their desire to stay away from the politic turbulence within the Inquisition.

Adeptus Mechanicus

Quite strangely, the Adeptus Mechanicus holds the Maroon Hunters in high regard and the Mechanicus forces in the Anotolion Sub-Sector actually feel grateful to the chapter for their protection. Their gratitude manifests in the form of loyalty and a constant supply of equipment, for the local techpriests regard it as an honour to repair or make gear that will see service in the chapter. The larger Adeptus Mechanicus, on the other hand, is slightly more willing to receive techmarines from the chapter for training as a result of their actions. As a result, while the Maroon Hunters are lacking in terms of advanced weapons such as grav guns or have slightly less terminator armours, what they have in their hands most often see constant and quick repair and the chapter rarely finds itself lacking the trademark bolter and chainsword they so often employ. In addition, the chapter receives a lot of attention from Explorators and most of these servants of Omnissiah often use Anotolio as a resting point during their travels while some provide aid to the chapter or even travel alongside the chapter's forces. While wary of outsiders, the chapter recognizes the aid these individuals possess and often accept their requests of companionship and, if the expedition produces yields, grants some of these spoils to them.

White Scars

"The Khagan's finest warriors? That title is not an easy one to bestow on any chapter. However, our Primarch's legacy is not that of a barbarian, rogue trader. It is a legend of understanding, culture, art and other noble pursuits. I may not know the who finest warriors of the Khagan are, rogue trader, but I know all too well that his legacy carries a lot more weight in our domain compared to the steppes of Chogoris."

—Hulaghus Subaday, former captain of the 8^th Company, to rogue trader Alphonse Schredit.

While their relation with their primogenitor is not as strained as the Inquisition because of sheer apathy, it is still extremely complicated. The chapter honors the White Scars as their primogenitor but their actions towards them during the Domain of Anotolio's creation, namely their diplomatic withdrawal, has driven the two chapters to two different sides. As a result, the Maroon Hunters shook off the savage and shadowy aspects of their primogenitor while the White Scars seriously limited the communication between the two chapters. Ultimately, this caused mutual apathy and they mostly remain uncaring to each other's issues. Moreover, as an echo of this apathy, the chapter does not revere their Primarch, Jaghatai Khan, in the same bestial manner as their primogenitor and instead focuses on his noble aspects and pursuits. However, with that said, Maroon Hunters have so far honored all the direct requests of the White Scars but made it abundantly clear each time that the reasons behind their compliance were their duty and respect to the Khagan, whom the Maroon Hunters hold well above the savage and primitive tribesmen of Chogoris.

Adeptus Ministorum

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Quotes

By Them

"Brothers, forge your hope amidst the fires of war! Straighten it with your resolve! Create the sharpest of weapons to serve your will and let none who defy us draw a single more breath!"

—Chaplain Syrus Yunus during the Third War of Expansion, circa 999.M41.

About Them

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Feel free to add your own!

Gallery

1^st Company Captain Altai Agoston.

A Maroon Hunters Battle-Brother of the 8^th Company, 3^rd Close Support Squad.

Trivia

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White Scars Successor Chapters
2nd Founding	Iron Juggernauts •
3th Founding	Falcon's Claws • Rampart Boars • Scarred • Solar Falcons • Tsunami Riders •
4th Founding	Iron Spears • Storm Riders • Wyverns •
5th Founding	Iron Flashes •
6th Founding	•
7th Founding	•
8th Founding	Desert Hawks • Destroyers of Worlds • Marauding Eagles • Rising Sons •
9th Founding	•
10th Founding	Knights of the Frost • Velites • Wind Runners •
11th Founding	Shades of Cog •
12th Founding	•
13th 'Dark' Founding	Blazing Hearts •
14th Founding	•
15th Founding	Celestial Heralds •
16th Founding	•
17th Founding	•
18th Founding	•
19th Founding	Voidborne •
20th Founding	•
21st 'Cursed' Founding	Beast Hunters • Grey Hounds •
22nd Founding	Greyhorns • †Sky Reavers •
23rd 'Sentinel' Founding	Cobalt Leviathans • Dragons of Suzanoo • Knights of War • Lightning Wraiths • Mental Scars • Sons of Neptune • Steel Tigers • Thousand Blades • World Marauders •
24th Founding	Crux Catharian • Storm Sons •
25th 'Bastion' Founding	Storm Heralds •
26th Founding	Jade Knives • Maroon Hunters •
Ultima Founding	Bladehounds • Chogorian Outriders • Cicatrix Blades • Crimson Vanguard • Nemeon Solar • Nergüi Ghosts • Solar Leopards • Solar Spectres • Squallguard •
Unknown Foundings	Blades of the Wolf • Dawn Lords • Iron Bison • Luminant Sons • Smilodons •
Renegades	Black Void • Sky Reavers •

[Source]

Twenty Sixth Founding Space Marine Chapters
Dark Angels Successors	Sable Pride •
White Scars Successors	Jade Knives • Maroon Hunters •
Space Wolves Successors	N/A
Imperial Fists Successors	Gray Hussars • Knights of Thunder • †Korps Marines • Mourning Wardens •
Blood Angels Successors	Knights of the Throne • Storm Angels •
Iron Hands Successors	†Iron Gaze • Sons of Iron •
Ultramarines Successors	Aasvogels • Blood Reavers • Crystal Skulls • Exercitus Imperialis • Novadracones • Sworn of Guilliman •
Salamanders Successors	Thunder Ogres •
Raven Guard Successors	Dusk Vultures •
Unknown Lineage	Omega Knights •

[Source]