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This article, Hellhounds, was written by The Eye of Odin. Please do not edit or 'acquire' this fiction without the writer's permission. |
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This article, Hellhounds, is currently under active construction. The author, The Eye of Odin, apologizes for the inconvenience. |
The Hellhounds are a Loyalist chapter of the Adeptus Astartes created in 398.M34 as part of the 7th Founding. Descended from the lineage of the stoic and merciless Iron Hands, they were created as a Crusading Chapter to bring light of the Emperor to the darkest corners of the galaxy. Highly mechanised, the Chapter maintains a large pool of armoured vehicles. Following their creation, this Chapter was a fleet-based Chapter for the first millennia of their existence. They roamed the galaxy fighting the enemies of the Imperium wherever they found them. The benefits of being a highly mobile strike force were threefold: to actively engage the enemies of humanity, to ensure the Chapter had a thorough understanding of the Imperium's enemies and to search the battlefields of the galaxy for any and all salvageable equipment, vehicles (especially tanks) and potential Standard Template Constructs (STCs). Considered by many to be a stalwart and utterly dependable chapter, the Hellhounds rarely refuse a request for aid, which has gained them many allies over the millennia of their existence.
Chapter History
The Chapter designated as the Hellhounds are an aloof and unforgiving Successor Chapter created from the lineage of the long lost Primarch Ferrus Manus. Though not well known by the wider Imperium, their exploits extend back to at least seven millennia. Extant records indicate that the Hellhounds' first notable campaign was the victory they achieved during the decade-long campaign in defence of the world of Proteus from an Aeldari invasion sometime in 586-599.M34. Over the course of this campaign, around 800 Astartes lost their lives before the xenos taint was purged from the world and the surrounding system.
One of the regiments of the Imperial Guard that fought alongside the Hellhounds during the Proteus Campaign, the 258th Proteus Armored Regiment, had performed feats throughout the conflict that had won them the respect of the chapter as a whole. For example, during the Fifth Battle of the Mnesian Plains, the 258th endured wave upon wave of assaults before pushing back and breaking the back of the enemy's attack. This deed, and many others like it over the course of the 13 years of the war, set the regiment far above its comrades. In recognition of their valor and fortitude, the 258th was granted the singular honor of being allowed to have their tanks adorned with the Hellhounds' symbol. As a result, the regiment became colloquially known as "the Hound's Chosen," and it was decreed by the planetary government that the 258th Armored would reinforced in perpetuity.
It would take the Hellhounds over a millennia to get back up to full strength after the Proteus Campaign. The loss of so many brothers profoundly affected the chapter in ways that would reverberate throughout their history. Before the Hellhounds left Proteus, they stripped the fallen Aeldari warriors of their weapons and armor and secreted them away in the hold of the chapter's flagship, a Battle Barge called the Hound's Tooth. Those who survived the Proteus campaign were allowed to decorate their armour with a single replica Spirit Stone as a badge of honor and remembrance. This came to be called 'The Mark of Proteus'. The only one who bears a real Spirit Stone is the Chapter Master.
As the chapter returned to full operating capacity, they were engaged in several campaigns that were not very important, usually requiring less than a full squad to accomplish. However, in early M35, the Ur-Council on Nova Terra declared Segmentum Pacificus to be independent from the rest of the Imperium.
Notable Campaigns
- Proteus Campaign (586.M34 - 599.M34)
- Nova Terra Interregnum and Moirae Schism (M35 - M36)
- Sundering of Synnax (259.M37 - 260.M37)
- Scouring of Sardaukar (Unknown Date)
- Great Hunt of Theseus (Unknown Date)
- Defense of Astrubos VIII (Unknown Date)
- Hecantoncheires Incursion (817.M38 - 818.M38)
- Redemption Crusades (131.M39 - 181.M39)
- Titanomachy of Ghaal (133.M39 - 135.M39)
- Conquest of Atreides (140.M39)
- Pacification of Xonides (153.M39)
- Calamity of Cleon (Unknown Date)
- Great Hunt of Thaalor (Unknown Date)
- Great Hunt of Zosia (Unknown Date)
- Macharian Crusade (392.M41 - 399.M41)
- War of Arcturus (Unknown Date)
- Macharian Heresy (399.M41 - 469.M41)
- War for Alkmaar (Unknown Date)
- Damocles Crusade (742.M41 - 745.M41)
- Massacre of Fusil (743.M41)
- Third War for Armageddon (998.M41 - present)
- Night of a Thousand Rebellions (999.M41)
- Alkmaar Insurrection (999.M41)
- Rebellion of Jastbol (999.M41)
- Indomitus Crusade (001.M42 - 111.M42)
Chapter Home World
Since the Hellhounds are fleet-based, they have no home world as such. Instead, they recruit from a number of worlds, first among them Proteus, that ancient crucible of the chapter.
Fortress-Monastery
The Iron Hound is a Ramilies-class Star Fort discovered by the Hellhounds in orbit above the planet Hondemia in 553.M37 as the chapter was pursuing the remnants of an Ork WAAAGH! that had been shattered by a combined force some years prior. After a 13-hour-long boarding action, it was determined that the Star Fort was completely unmanned, and the Hellhounds claimed it as their own. Then followed a long series of inspections by the chapter's Techmarines to ensure that the massive station was fully operational. During this time, a chamber was uncovered by an exploration team that held within it wonders beyond reckoning. For within that vault, held in stasis, were relics of a time long past: an ancient Fellblade Legion Super-Heavy tank, two Sicaran Battle Tanks, four Deimos Predator Executioners, and 20 Cataphractii pattern Terminator suits; a veritable treasure trove for a chapter that prided itself on its prowess in armored combat.
Given that the Star Fort had no means of propulsion, and that they had no desire to tie themselves down to one location and end their void-faring days, the Hellhounds petitioned their allies on the Forge World of Astrubos VIII for aid both in moving the station and refitting it to the chapter's specifications to become the its fortress-monastery. A fleet of tugs was sent to the system, and the arduous journey back to Astrubos VIII began. Five years later, the Star Fort arrived in the Astrubos system, and was immediately sent to the Forge World's shipyards.
Between a quarter and half of the fortress's weaponry was removed to allow power to be routed to the modifications made. Possibly the most important modification made was the addition of a small Forge or manufactorum. This was added so that the chapter could build new vehicles to recoup the losses that invariably would occur whenever the chapter committed its forces to the field.
Despite having a large portion of its weapons removed, the Iron Hound is not without its teeth. Even with its reduced armament, it is still quite formidable. Those weapons that were taken out were then placed in a fleet of small ships that were intended to be a defensive screen. These ships, however, are not capable of entering the Warp and thus must be docked with the Iron Hound every time it moves to a new system.
Hall of the Hound
Chapter Organisation
Like their Progenitors, the Hellhounds have also diverged from the standard Codex Astartes-compliant organisation of most other Adeptus Astartes Chapters, changing to reflect their Chapter's unique culture. The Chapter is organised into the standard 1,000 battle-brothers which are broken down into 10 companies consisting of 100 Astartes each. These are further broken down into Cohorts comprised of 50 battle-brothers each. Each Company consists several squads consisting of 10 Astartes each. The Hellhounds also maintains a double-strength scout company as they have an extremely high attrition rate despite the chapter planning their offensives down to almost the millisecond.
Officer Ranks
- Canis Primus - Chapter Master
- Grand Captain - First Captain equivalent, commander of the First Company.
- Hound Lord - Captain
- Beta Commander - Lieutenant
Specialist Ranks
- Pack Master - A rank similar to a Force Commander, a Pack Master is the commander of a Pack. (See below) for the duration of the formation's mission.
- Honor Commander - Commander of an Honor Cohort.
- (Add Rank) - Reclusiarch equivalent
- (Add Rank) - Chaplain equivalent
- Forge Alpha - Master of the Forge equivalent.
- Forge Hound Majoris - Combines the offices of Chaplain and Techmarine, looking after the spiritual health of the chapter while also helping them transition to full bionic integration.
- Forge Hound - Techmarine of the chapter
- (Add Rank) - Chief Apothecary equivalent.
- (Add Rank) - Apothecary equivalent.
- (Add Rank) - Chief Librarian equivalent.
- (Add Rank) - Librarian equivalent.
Line Ranks
- Veteran Sergeant - Senior-most sergeant of a company.
- Hound Master - equivalent to a sergeant
- Hound - Battle-Brother equivalent.
Ranks of the Fleet
- Master of the Fleet - Commander of the Hellhounds' fleet
- Fleet Captain - commander of the equivalent of a company, number of these changes as the strength of the fleet waxes and wanes over the millennia. On average, a Hellhounds' fleet is comprised of a Strike Cruiser and a number of Escorts
- Shipmaster - A chapter serf who commands a ship in the chapter’s fleet.
Specialist Formations & Units
- Champions of the Hound -
- Honour Cohort - The Honour Cohorts are the third cohort of each company, though they are given a place of highest respect by each company as the Honor Cohort is made up of the Dreadnoughts containing the fallen heroes of the company. If a battle brother from an Armored Company is interred within a Dreadnought, that Dreadnought is a Hellfire and is assigned to the Honor Cohort that is for all armored companies
- Fangs of the Hound - These units, of which the number has fluctuated throughout the chapter's history, is made up of all the dedicated armor units. While each normal company is in possession of almost enough Rhinos to transport every Astartes in the formation, the Hellhounds' armored companies contain all the Land Raiders, Predators, and any other support vehicle. Essentially the active motor pool, the armored companies are usually parceled out to the standard companies as required, though they sometimes fight as a concentrated fighting force supported by infantry when the situation demands a massive concentration of force. When required, new armored companies are created from the vast reserve of armored vehicles that the chapter maintains and are assigned to a newly created Pack (See below)
- An ideal Fang will be ten tanks: a command tank and three squads of three tanks each. However, under-strength Fangs have been known to be deployed, especially when the infantry force they are sent to support is on the smaller side. On the flip side of the coin, over-strength Fangs have also been known to be committed to the field, usually only on a mission-by-mission basis. And there have been many recorded instances of multiple Fangs being deployed in the same warzone. Oftentimes, this occurs either because each Fang has a specific specialty that is needed or the force sent to that planet is spread out across multiple areas and a single Fang will not do the job.
- Claws of the Hound - The active aircraft of the chapter. Similar to the Fangs of the Hound
- Hunter-Seeker Cadres - These formations are made up of the chapter's Bikes and Land Speeders. They can be deployed just as light support for the infantry of the chapter, reconnaissance forces, screening for the tanks of the chapter, and as dedicated rapid strike forces
- Packs - In some cases, the needs of the chapter necessitate the utilization of units from all companies, but not every part of them. The Pack is essentially a chapter in miniature, perfect for long-term operations far from the full chapter.
- Forge Hounds - Led by the Master of the Forge, the Forge Hounds is a brotherhood within the Hellhounds that consists of all the chapters Techmarines, and Artificers, as well as their attendant Servitors. The purpose of this organization is to better serve the chapter. The Forge Hounds are organized into the Forge Council, which advises the Master of the Forge.
The Heads of Cerberus
The Heads of Cerberus are the three most competent and skilled tank commanders and leaders of the Fangs. To be chosen as a Head of Cerberus is the one of the highest honors that can be granted to a member of the Hellhounds
Masters of the Hunt
The Masters of the Hunt are the intelligence division of the Hellhounds and are comprised of a full cohort (50 battle-brothers) that exists outside of the standard order of battle. Their remit is the search for STC fragments, battlefields where any kind of vehicles or technology can be scavenged, and to determine the site of the next Hunt or Great Hunt. They are lead by the Lord of the Hunt, who wields the relic sword, the Blade of the Huntress. To aid in their search, they have two Vanguard-class Strike Cruisers and four Escorts at their exclusive disposal. The Masters of the Hunt are very particular about those they choose to join their brotherhood, only selecting the most inquisitive and those who think laterally or outside the box.
Ranks
- Lord of the Hunt - The leader of the Masters of the Hunt
- Master Huntsman - Roughly equivalent to a sergeant, a Master Huntsman leads a squad of Huntsmen
- Huntsman -
The Watch of Proteus
The Watch of Proteus was established in the aftermath of the Proteus Campaign when the Canis Primus of the Hellhounds declared that the chapter would defend the planet in perpetuity. It consists of a rotating roster of approximately a full cohort plus assorted tanks, transports, aircraft, and a single Strike Cruiser.
Order of Battle
Headquarters
(to be added)
Companies
(to be added)
Chapter Culture
Chapter Beliefs
Like their primogenitor legion, the Iron Hands, the Hellhounds do not accept failure, seeing it as a sign of weakness that must be purged. The chapter constantly strives for excellence and efficiency, almost to the point of obsession. Like their parent chapter, the Iron Hands, the Hellhounds believe that the flesh is weak, seeing the degradation of organic matter as a failing of the human design. As a result, throughout an Astartes life, more and more of his body is replaced with cybernetic components.
The Astartes of this Chapter despise the common citizens of the Imperium, perceiving them as weak, though they tolerate those who toil away supporting the war machine that fuels the continued survival of man. However, the Hellhounds hold higher respect for those who die in service of the Emperor.
The devastating losses of the Proteus campaign lead the Hellhounds to have a deep-seated fear of being found to be unworthy to serve the Emperor and Imperium, and of being found weak in the eyes of their fallen brethren. To that end, despite their replacement of that which, arguably, ties them most to humanity, the chapter strives to uphold and maintain that which has marked mankind throughout its history. The pursuit, study, and creation of art, literature, and other forms of Human culture became what would be, in the eyes of the chapter, one of the few ways in which they could prove that they were worthy of serving Mankind. Every member of the chapter is expected to at least be proficient in many forms of art, while the officers have to devote themselves to becoming masters of one particular art form.
Another side effect of the almost crippling losses that the Hellhounds suffered while defending Proteus from the Aeldari, as well as their sudden development of a deep-seated fear of being found unworthy, is that the chapter grew to feel that not only did it have to attempt to prove its worthiness but it had to appear, nay, embody the very essence of it. To outsiders, the Hellhounds suddenly began to take the appearance of royalty, for when they were out of their power armor, they dressed only in the finest. The higher up in the chain of command an Astartes went, the finer his clothes and the more jewels and precious metals he wore. This, however, did not drive them to pride, as from the very beginning of a recruit’s initiation, it was drilled into them that their finery was a reminder of what they lost, and would be abandoned once they redeemed themselves in the eyes of their fallen brothers. Every battle lost would negate the equivalent progress made towards their goal, every battle-brother that died in combat.
There are two factions that are competing for the spiritual health of the chapter: the Hound Masters of the Forge Hound brotherhood and the Chaplains of the chapter's Reclusiam. The Forge Hounds are comprised of all the chapter's Hound Masters and Techmarines, and it preaches that the Emperor is the Omnissiah. Meanwhile, the Chaplains of the Reclusiam preach that the Emperor should be venerated as a god. This internal strife has been tolerated as the two factions perform different duties that overlap in only a few areas. Throughout the millennia, the influence of the Forge Hounds and the Reclusiam over the spiritual chapter has waxed and waned, though in the modern Imperium of M42, the Forge Hounds and the teachings of the Cult Mechanicus have taken over the chapter.
Chapter Gene-Seed
The primogenitor legion of the Hellhounds is the Iron Hands. The gene-seed of the Hellhounds has a low rejection rate, enabling them to bounce back from terrible losses. As a result, they have additional scout companies to handle the influx of recruits
Mutations: The chapter doesn’t possess Betcher's Gland.
Combat Doctrine
The Hellhounds are known to be undisputed masters of the armored assault, and the Chapter boasts more Land Raiders and Predators than any other Chapter (or indeed, several Chapters combined). Their preferred method of battle is therefore, unsurprisingly, a massed attack led by heavily armored Space Marine battle tanks. Armored assault combined with infantry assault. The Chapter's infantry has a propensity for heavy support (lascannon, autocannon, heavy bolter, etc.) The Hellhounds favor a rapid surgical assault using combined arms tactics similar to blitzkrieg, though they also utilize a hammer blow of massed formations of armor and infantry against a small point on the enemy’s lines when appropriate.
When in combat, the members of the chapter move into the fray, hounding their foes in coordinated blunt strikes, the goal to end the battle in it's opening stages. The meticulously planned and coordinated tactics and strategies of the Hellhounds anticipate and even rely on this fact.
The chapter prefers to keep on the assault and moving forward, so when an attack grinds to a halt or slows, that portion of the line will fall back and pull the enemy in so that the flanks will be annihilated. This way, the assault is always fluid and keeps the enemy guessing.
Chapter Tactics
- Armored Spearhead - This formation takes advantage of the overwhelming firepower and superior protection provided by the Land Raider. Composed of three such vehicles, including the command tank, the Armored Spearhead adopts a spearhead formation which it uses to penetrate the enemy's forces at their strongest point. Following behind them is a force of lighter Rhinos and Razorbacks, which seek shelter behind the armored bulk and punishing fire of the Land Raiders. Once a hole has been breached by the Armored Spearhead, these carriers swarm in its wake to penetrate deeper in the enemy's rear areas.
(blurb about how the chapter has two major methods of war)
The Way of the Hunt
The Path of Thunder
Deathwatch Service
(to be added)
Notable Members
- Canis Primus Rommelius - The first chapter master of the Hellhounds. Killed in battle against Aeldari forces on the planet Proteus at the Fourth Battle of Hive Andromeda in 594.M34.
- Sergeant Crasius Canis - One of the Hellhounds' most celebrated tank commanders, he pilots the tank Heart of the Hound. In one of his most legendary engagements, Sergeant Canis lead a spearhead attack on the enemy's flank upon the world of Mugrillon, where he was credited with well over two dozen tank kills.
- Canis Primus Volkmar Rommelius - The current Chapter Master of the Hellhounds
Non-Astartes Personnel
Armory of the Hellhounds
Relic Tanks
- Hellhounds' Wrath - A relic Fellblade found within the Iron Hound.
- Gorgon's Vengeance - A relic Sicaran Battle Tank found within the Iron Hound
- Rommelius Rex - A relic Sicaran Battle Tank found within the Iron Hound
- Heart of the Hound - A relic Deimos Predator Annihilator of the chapter credited with thousands of tank-on-tank kills over its long years of service. Its kill tally is so high that the victory marks applied to the barrels of its main guns cover it so much barely any of the original metal can be seen, except up close. The tank was part of the chapter since its Founding, and is rumored to even have served with the Iron Hands for long before that. It is currently commanded by Sergeant Crasius Canis, one of the Hellhounds' most prestigious tank aces.
- Lance of the Emperor - A relic Bardiche Super-Heavy Tank gifted to the Hellhounds by the Forge World of Astrubos VIII after the chapter came to the defense of the planet against both a daemonic incursion and an Ork WAAAGH!
Notable Tanks
- Bastion of Proteus - One of the first Land Raiders delivered to the Hellhounds as part of their millennium-long rebuilding effort in the aftermath of the Proteus Campaign.
- Iron Mastiff -
- Spear of the Omnissiah's Wrath - A Vindicator Laser Destroyer that is currently part of the 2nd Fang's Third Squad
- Canis Fulminata -
- His Purity Incarnate -
- Emperor's Might -
- Honored Vanquisher of Galrora -
- Gloria Imperatoris -
- Praetorian of Proteus -
- Annihilator of False Idols -
Notable Aircraft
- Ferrus Seraph -
Chapter Fleet
The Hellhounds’ fleet currently numbers 3 Battle Barges, 10-15 Strike Cruisers, and some 30-40 Escorts. Before the losses sustained in the Proteus Campaign, the fleet of the Hellhounds consisted of 2 Battle Barges, 10 Strike Cruisers, and 20 Escorts. After the Proteus Campaign, the surviving fleet was made up of 1 Battle Barge, 5 Strike Cruisers, and 8 Escorts
The Chapter fleet of the Hellhounds is known to contain the following:
Star Forts
- Iron Hound (Ramilies-class Star Fort) - Discovered by the Hellhounds in 553.M37.
Battleships
Currently Active
- Emperor Ascendant - A Retribution-class Battleship captured by the Hellhounds in battle with rebellious elements of Battlefleet Hranthel during 189.M40. After being gifted to the chapter by the surviving loyalist elements of Battlefleet Hranthel, the Emperor Ascendant was refitted to have its dorsal Lance turrets replaced with Bombardment Cannons, with the additional power being rerouted to the Void Shields and the engines. Most of the time, the Emperor Ascendant remains with the chapter's fortress-monastery, the Iron Hound, only deployed in the most extenuating circumstances or when the chapter continues the hunt for the Aeldari Craftworld that so savaged them on Proteus.
Battle Barges
Destroyed
- Iron Will (Battle Barge) - Destroyed in orbit over Proteus by an Aeldari fleet in 591.M34 and retrofitted into the Hellhounds' fortress-monastery by the Forge World of Astrubos VIII
Currently Active
- Hound's Honor (Battle Barge) - The last ship to be delivered to the Hellhounds as part of the rebuilding effort after the devastating losses of the Proteus campaign.
- Hound's Tooth (Battle Barge) - The flagship and fortress-monastery of the Hellhounds at the time of the Proteus Campaign. It is larger than the standard Battle Barge at around 10 km long
- Emperor's Hammer (Battle Barge) - Captured from a chapter that turned Traitor during the Macharian Heresy.
Strike Cruisers
Destroyed
- Sound of Fury (Strike Cruiser) - Destroyed over Proteus by an Aeldari fleet in 591.M34.
- Emperor's Judgement (Strike Cruiser) - Destroyed over Proteus by an Aeldari fleet in 591.M34.
- Devastator (Strike Cruiser) - Destroyed over Proteus by an Aeldari fleet in 591.M34.
- Harbinger (Strike Cruiser) - Destroyed over Proteus by an Aeldari fleet in 591.M34.
- Righteous Extermination (Strike Cruiser) - Destroyed over Proteus by an Aeldari fleet in 591.M34.
Currently Active
- Vengeance of Proteus (Strike Cruiser) -
- Righteous Fury (Strike Cruiser) -
- Avenging Angel (Strike Cruiser) -
- Purity of Purpose (Strike Cruiser) -
- Pride of Xonides (Strike Cruiser) -
- Rommelius' Revenge (Strike Cruiser) -
- Hound's Fury (Strike Cruiser) -
- Harbinger of Victory (Strike Cruiser) -
- Omnissiah’s Wrath (Strike Cruiser) -
- Eternal Redemption (Strike Cruiser) -
- Immortal Leviathan (Strike Cruiser) -
- Ark Imperial (Strike Cruiser) -
Escorts
- Death of Impurity (Frigate) - Captured from a traitor fleet during the Macharian Heresy.
- Mechanical Perfection (Frigate) - Captured from a traitor fleet during the Macharian Heresy.
Chapter Relics
- Shield of Fortitude -
- Sword of Redemption -
- Helm of Valor -
- Blade of Venzalo -
- Hound's Armor -
- Blade of the Huntress -
Chapter Appearance
Chapter Colours
Burnished gold primary and silver trim
Chapter Badge
Two crossed swords behind the head of a snarling hound with fire above the head
Relations
Allies
- Adeptus Mechanicus
- Imperial Fists & Last Wall Chapters - Not Black Templars.
- Iron Hands & Successor Chapters - Not Sons of Medusa.
- Ordo Xenos
- Ecclesiarchy
- Adepta Sororitas
Enemies and Rivals
Notable Quotes
By:
(to be added)
About:
(to be added)
Notes
(to be added)
Gallery
| Seventh Founding Space Marine Chapters | |
|---|---|
| Dark Angels Successors | Angels of the Lion • Knights Triumphant • Lorekeepers • Poison Angels • |
| White Scars Successors | Saurian Tyrants • |
| Space Wolves Successors | N/A |
| Imperial Fists Successors | Sons of Zeus • |
| Blood Angels Successors | Angels of Rebirth • Crimson Wardens • |
| Iron Hands Successors | Hellhounds • |
| Ultramarines Successors | Hochmeister • Knights of Ultramar • Ruby Consuls • Wardens of Orask • |
| Salamanders Successors | • |
| Raven Guard Successors | Emperor's Weavers • |
| Unknown Lineage | Cobalt Crusaders • Exalted Paladins • Formican Marauders |
| Renegades | Scholari Brotherhood • |